Departure Restaurant and Lounge

Review summary

1. Q

   Quan

   Portland

   1 review

   1.0

   1 review

   Dined today

   1. Overall 1
   2. Food 1
   3. Service 1
   4. Ambience 1

   Paid $340 for the so called "peking duck experience". First course was some bland duck broth. It was meh. Then we waited 20-30 mins for them to bring out an already cooked duck, that was supposedly ours, to show to us. Then took it to the back to "prep". 45 mins went by, no food. We asked, and they said that they just took the ducks out of the fryer (even though they showed us our cooked duck). Also, they told us that we would get 2 ducks for 4 people. They served 2 half duck. We asked why there were only 2 wings, they were suttering and couldn't tell us why 🤣. Told us it came like that, and we could bring it up to the manager. Oh well 🤷‍♂️. I guess their ducks come w 1 leg each. Well to top it off. NO, IT WAS NOT REAL PEKING DUCK, it was just some regular roasted duck. The duck was worse than some random chinese market roasted duck that I could get for $18.99. And no, the "peking duck experience" did not include a table side demonstration. Anyway, they charged $340 for a $18.99 duck that we waited 1.5 hrs to be served. And it was horrible. Lastly, beside the 20% tip that they forced us to pay (which is standard in fine dining facilities, and we are more than ok w it), they added on a 4% surcharge for "employee well being" and 1% for clean energy 😂. HORRIBLE HORRIBLE HORRIBLE. Any real food lover would wanna avoid this fine dining wannabe place.
   

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2. L

   Lynna

   Hawaii

   1 review

   3.0

   1 review

   Dined 1 day ago

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 3
   3. Service 3
   4. Ambience 3

   Service was very slow due to crowd. Our server Jessica was super nice though. Food was a bit salty, portion was very small so eat first before you show up to the restaurant.
   

   Departure Restaurant and LoungeResponded today

   Hello Lynna, I am glad that you appreciated the service under the circumstances. I assure you, we are fully staffed. Unfortunately, it is flu season. We have had multiple associates call out sick everyday this week. I would appreciate it if you would call the restaurant. I would like to get you a gift certificate to come back and let us show you how we normally operate.
   

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3. W

   William

   VIP

   Portland

   86 reviews

   5.0

   86 reviews

   Dined 1 day ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   The December Peking Duck meal is one of the best meals we’ve ever had in Portland and we look forward to December when it is always offered. They stopped doing this for a few years after COVID and we’re so glad it’s back and better than ever! The duck is amazing, so much so that we’re coming back later this week to have it again. A unique and wonderful experience that included exceptional service.
   

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4. R

   Robin

   VIP

   Portland

   36 reviews

   4.0

   36 reviews

   Dined 2 days ago

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 5

   Duck night is a long standing family tradition but this trip, while good, was lack luster. Our server was engaging but way too busy. Our table got forgotten between courses and we even got our bill before dessert. The duck was great but a little dry, and the wraps were definitely dry, cracked and clearly mass produced. It’s time to kick it up a notch if you’re going to charge $85/person. While Open Table said our slot was for two hours, due to service issues, it was more than two and a half hours. The restaurant wasn’t as crowded as usual—just very understaffed.
   

   Departure Restaurant and LoungeResponded today

   Hello Robin, Thank you for showing your appreciation for the staff. Believe me, we would love to be fully staffed! Unfortunately, it is flu season and we have had multiple associates sick everyday this week. My team has rallied the best that they can. I would like it if you could contact the restaurant so that I could offer you a gift certificate to come back so that we can show you how we normally operate.
   

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5. A

   Amanda

   Portland

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined 4 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   We had a party of 5 and it was a wonderful experience. Attentive staff and great food. Worth the price!
   

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6. L

   Lupine

   Portland

   1 review

   3.0

   1 review

   Dined 5 days ago

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 3
   3. Service 3
   4. Ambience 3

   Service was friendly but missed some things, like plate clearing and water refills. The duck was wonderful, fried rice a bit peppery and not as good as we all remembered from years past.
   

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7. S

   Shelby

   Portland

   1 review

   3.0

   1 review

   Dined 6 days ago

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 3
   4. Ambience 3

   I made a dinner reservation for my husbands birthday a few weeks in advance. I booked this restaurant because a friend of mine recommended it for the view. Since I booked a reservation, I expected to have a table with a view but instead we were put in a corner with a view of the busing area. We asked if there was another table available with a better view and we were told we could wait 45 min for one. If I had known we would not get a view with a reservation I wouldn’t have booked one and just run the chance of getting a table on our own. Now maybe I should have put in the reservation we would like a table with a view but with this caliber of a restaurant I would have expected that. Overall, the food was good but I was disappointed with everything else.
   

   Departure Restaurant and LoungeResponded 4 days ago

   Hello Shelby, Thank you for taking the time to leave a review. I am sorry that your table wasn't up to your standards. Unfortunately, the restaurant was full when you arrived except for the tables in our private coves. I can assure you that all of the other tables had reservations as well. In the future it would be helpful to leave notes on your reservation that you would like a table with a view as we try to accommodate those based on how far in advance they booked.
   

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8. c

   caleb

   Portland

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined 7 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Top notch. Friendly service. Great atmosphere. Superb quisine .
   

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9. B

   Bob

   San Francisco

   6 reviews

   5.0

   6 reviews

   Dined on 15 December 2024

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   We had the Peking duck experience, as December is Duck Month at Departure. The duck was beautifully presented before the final stage of cooking to crisp the skin and apply the final layer of glaze. The meal consisted of duck bone broth, the Peking duck with thin pancakes, cucumbers, green onions, hoisin sauce, pickled cumquats, duck fried rice, and duck fat ice cream with sesame brittle and berry sauce. The meal was delicious. There is a huge sale list, but we opted for the Lillet All Day and 75-ish cocktails. A glass of Domaine du Petit Bonhomme went perfectly with the duck. Our server, Hailey, was great.
   

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10. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Portland

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 14 December 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5

    The dinner was amazing. We go to Departure for duck month every year and it keeps getting better and better. I do miss the beet salad from years past, def a good idea to add on something fresh as the duck is so rich its good to have something to cut it with. Amazing service, knowledgable staff, great vibes. Love it.
    

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