My first night in Portland I decided to try Departure, which is a rooftop restaurant at The Nines hotel. The view itself was breathtaking and definitely worth the very short walk from my hotel. It was happy hour so I got two appetizers.
The Shu Mai was a pork dumpling with a mustard sauce on top. I didn’t realize how spicy the mustard was so I was very happy to see that it was a small amount. It was just enough to add some zing to the bite.
The highlight was the Crispy Pork Belly served with pickled cherries, ginger and pumpkin seeds. The pork belly was crispy and the accompanying garnishes added a nice tanginess.
The service was impeccable as I think I had three people making sure I had enough to drink the entire time. Departure at The Nines is definitely a hot spot and one you should put on your bucket list.