Votum Restaurant

✨️An Unforgettable Fine Dining Experience! My husband and I were visiting Hood River to celebrate my birthday and we had the pleasure of dining at Votum. The experience end to end exceeded all expectations. Co-owner Nathan took us in, super friendly and welcoming, the decor and ambience is so elegant, giving the Michlin level fine dining vibes. The service was impeccable—attentive without being intrusive, it made us feel genuinely welcome. Nathan was incredibly knowledgeable and helped guide us through the menu and explained each course. The food was absolutely phenomenal. Each dish was beautifully presented and bursting with flavor. Most ingredients are sourced locally, you can really taste the freshness. The head chef/co-owner Sarah definitely puts passion and artistry into every plate. Our favorites were the mushroom risotto, amberjack crudo and the lamb. Absolutely perfect 👌 After we paid, the team handed us a printed menu of each course we had along with a very personalized message. With the set menu, you will be given sweets to take home (just like at a Michlin Star restaurant). Honestly, it was one of the best fine dining experiences I have ever had, I cannot wait to come back again!

This restraunt exceeded all expectations from the beautiful design inside to the lighting, and the beautiful white tablecloths it could be the 1 reason to go to the gorge. Nathan was great very professional and kind. the chef Sarah cooked exceptional cuisine. It is very impressive how only the 2 are in the restraunt!! This could be a michelin star establishment! We ordered a la carte and it was delicious. First we had a smoked cod and japanese turnip soup, the smokiness of the fish with the acidity of the turnip balanced perfectly with the creaminess of the soup, delicious. We had a bread service before the soup, great bread and butter. We also had a crab pasta, the crispy crab, and the soft a pasta was a beautiful contrast of textures! Then we had lamb and madeira, one word can describe it, delicious. We also had a pork tenderloin with mole, it was full of flavor and had nice texture, the steak was cooked perfectly but it lacked flavor, more sauce would have helped but solid dish overall. We had more great bread and butter. Then dessert! The 1st was a beautiful rasbery semyfredo and 2nd was a toasted barley ice cream. The 2nd was my favorite our toddler ate it all! They even gave us each a pate de fruits and a cookie. Thank you Nathan And Sarah for delicious food and exceptional hospitality.

My husband and I enjoyed the spring tasting menu on a Saturday night- not a single course fell flat. I really appreciated the local ingredients and seafood forward flavors. The nettle soup was my personal favorite, but the bread course deserves mentioning as well. Nathan, the owner, was kind and generous with his knowledge. I appreciated the non alcoholic beverage options and found some new favorites. We felt right at home which is often hard to achieve with fine dining. I’m already looking forward to the next time we can make the trip to Hood River.

This place was absolutely wonderful! The host and chef are a remarkable team. And the food!!!!!!! OMG. My husband said this was the first time he actually tasted a potato. The salmon roe on the salad literally popped in our mouths. The ambiance is secondary to the food. The decor is rather spartan at the moment but we believe they are focusing on the food whose quality mutes the barren walls. We do not like gazpacho. We enjoyed Chef Sarah’s immensely. Someone said the amount of food for the price was not ideal. To that I add that we had the tasting menu which, by definition, is a small amount (ie “taste) but you can order a la carte. The host was very pleasant. We look forward to returning!

Six of us enjoyed an unforgettable, beautifully prepared meal for my birthday. I couldn't have imagined a better place to celebrate. The food was delicious. Chef Sarah is incredibly talented, and Nathan presented everything with great attention and care. He also gave us wonderful wine recommendations. We had a later reservation and never felt rushed. A lovely experience we will be appreciating for a while.

We came here for my husbands birthday and did the tasting menu - it was absolutely exquisite! The food is yummy, the owners are lovely and the vibe of the restaurant is great. And there’s some good options for non alcoholic drinks. We will be back! Thanks for making this such an experience.

Votum is a seafood-forward fine dining experience located in Hood River’s historic downtown. It is small outfit with Chef Sarah and Maître D-come-Server Nathan manning the service. The food was immaculately presented and super fresh. Ingredients are locally sourced and reflective of the changing seasons. My personal highlights were the Marinated Quail Egg, the Smoked Salmon Panisse, the Spring Garden with Salmon Roe, the hyper seasonal Nettle Soup, and the Huckleberry Entrements. This was a great little find for a fine dining experience in Hood River and I would definitely go back next time I am in town.

Such a wonderful surprise to find this restaurant with some friends. The young chef is creative and uses the freshest ingredients, and she brought out some of the dishes herself. Fantastic oysters with uni, wonderful salad and veggies, lovely lamb, among other dishes. Perfect service and a nice simple ambience. The wine list has some amazing wines, especially Bordeaux wines, although we would have liked to see more options from the Willamette and Columbia River wineries. It's worth visiting Hood River just to dine here.

Our compliments to the chef! Thank you for such a memorable visit. We stayed in Carson at the Luxury Cabins - for our 12 year anniversary. I wanted to do something special - as we have personally had a very hard start to this year. I conveniently booked online and we drove to a very cute strip in Hood River on the day. I haven't had such personable service - in so long. There is nothing better than exquisite food fueled by passion. Thank you to Maritza and Justice for being so attentive to the experience and any needs. Thank you Nathan, for making our experience - one to remember! For the details, and care. We did the Chefs tasting menu and I definitely recommend the experience. All of our dishes were amazing and the caviar add on - is a must. I will never forget that ensemble. The Risotto was my favorite dish. I will dream about the pear sorbet - forever! Thank you, for a fantastic night.

Votum joins Hiyu (which we love) to offer special occasion fine dining in the heart of the bounty of the Gorge. It makes sense, the wines and fresh food from the coast to the Apple Valley on down the Gorge easily compete with the Willamette Valley wine country where similar elevation of dining is happening...such as Okta which is a high flier even compared to Votum. As 22 year residents around HR and PDX, we compare to tasting menus in PDX and less so those in SF or NYC. We are suckers for passion projects early on in their process, so finding something newish where stars show off is exciting by itself. Each dish was a hit on our visit. We aren't naïve to portion sizing for 9 courses and they nailed it. We didn't try the a la carte menu, and don't see how it is priced. I think that might be key to success, more on that below. We had high hopes that the seafood focus here might make them a contender for our favorite restaurant in PDX before closing: Roe. (Le Bernidin is our fav in US). Votum does not seek that level of raw delicacy and french saucery however, and the menu is more varied in many great ways. The elephant in the room is the price. And given the places we're comparing this to, the 9 course price is very fair for the experience, flavors, passion and service. I think what puts the price into "Special Occasion only" category is the wine. We did the pairing, it was lovely...spot on! But that level of wine can be stratospheric in cost for this neck of the woods, and looking over the by the glass and bottle prices I bet most feel so too. Moderate cost options abound in the region, and a little more focus on regional wine would be a plus. But there are bottles here you aren't going to get elsewhere in the Gorge too...and like it or not, the tourists to the area may be coming to town for just this type of new experience if you compare to the lodging upgrades going on. If you look at the fine dining that has done well in PDX, a place where fine dining also can have a tough time...Castagna, Le Pidgeon, Coquine and even the Omakase specialists...they have to include a second service that is more accessible. An adjacent cafe, a market window, a downscale second location, etc. I certainly don't think Hood River is ready for an Okta, and frankly that makes me feel that what Sarah and Nathan are doing here is nearly perfect for the times. We'll be back, and back more often if there is a "not a special occasion" growth of offerings. Good luck you two, thanks so much for the stunning evening for our Anniversary. Mike and Robin

WOW! Had an amazing experience last night at Votum. Went for 32nd anniversary and did the tasting menu with wine pairing. Nathan and company made this a truly unforgettable event. We will certainly be back! Robert

Despite looking forward to sampling this newest entry to the HR restaurant scene (and smiling to see one of the owners of another high-end restaurant checking it out as well), I left feeling that Votum's food artistry isn't matched by its ability to create memorable dishes that please palate and eye. Though the wallet will certainly feel the squeeze! The service is excellent - two servers share a table, water is refilled promptly, and you're never left feeling abandoned. The team knows the menu and the ingredients, and the provenance of most of the ingredients, from the Tillamook Bay cockles to the culture (Flor Danica) used to craft the house-made butter (bread and butter - $6) and the source of the flour (Camas Mills). (Good to know, but on a second visit this could get tedious). The food is also prepared artfully - perhaps with so much art that satiety isn't in the mix. I'm not a fan of restaurants that feel compelled to ensure you leave with enough leftovers to feed you for another three days, but portions at Votum are on the very small side, with prices on the high side. Examples: The Tillamook Bay cockles featured in "Cockles Ceviche" ($12) featured perhaps 2 tablespoons of ivory cockles, a whisper of aji pepper, all tucked into a gray and white scallop shell. Fresh, but mostly a tease of flavor. The first course of crab risotto followed. $27 brought perhaps 1/3 cup of delicate crab lounging atop perfectly cooked arborio rice, with 3 tiny sorrel leaves adding color but no flavor. The chef may be trying to leave topnotch ingredients to sing on their own. Still, I missed having flavorings to enhance the main ingredient, and the white/gray monotony of the dishes we had - with nary a vegetable in sight to add color and flavor contrasts - left me disappointed. My dining companion chose oysters as a starter($25 for what the menu said were "Virginica" oysters). We were told about the oysters being served that night, selected the "Virginica," but the second server who delivered the dish told us that we were getting 3 of one kind and 3 "Baywater sweets." Not wanting to waste the dish, we left it ... but were confused over whether this was a snafu due to lack of communication among the 2 servers or a kitchen decision. Votum's bouillabaisse offers a twist on the French classic, with saffron broth standing in for a tomato broth, white fish and perhaps crab as the seafood proteins. We're willing to eat raw seafood (hence the oysters and the ceviche) but found the fish undercooked. Again, the flavors weren't compelling. Dessert closed with more white - vanilla ice cream. (Other offerings were a lemon tart and a millefeuille whose flavor I've forgotten). Total tab with the mandatory 20% gratuity was $164 (1 glass of wine, 2 appetizers, 1 first course, 1 main course, 2 desserts). Wines by the glass range from $18 to $24; by the bottle gives a broader range from $51 to $980 (for those splurging on the 1985 Dom Perignon). Aside from feeling hungry when I left, I yearned for color and forward flavors - something to delight both eye and palate. Given that adding on another main course and glass of wine would take us to a $200+ tab, I'll need to hear the flavors have risen to match the ingredients and presentation - with more to delight the eye as well.

On a whim, I made reservations to enjoy Votum's tasting menu to celebrate my husband's birthday. We were really blown away by the level of service, the attention to detail, and the clear passion they have for fine dining and food artistry. It's definitely a special occasion kind of place, but they REALLY did make the occasion feel special - complete with customized printed menus, delicious and creative food, and Michelin star-level service and presentation. We left with full bellies and smiles on our faces! Thank you for a lovely evening. We'd gladly come back for another special occasion in the future.

Such a fantastic meal. Everything on the tasting menu had a unique twist to it in the best way - WOW. It was all delicious. The service was amazing and the space is gorgeous. Highly recommend for any celebration. You will not be disappointed. Elevated meal and perfectly sized portions.

A Truly First Class Dining Experience. Food quality ranged from excellent (foie gras) to outstanding (oysters) and uniquely great (lamb). Food quality was uniformly high, and what was cooked was done to perfection. The exception was the kale, which was reminiscent of crispy seaweed; which I don't like. Decorations were sparse (as I prefer) and the focus was on the food. Music was unobtrusive and tasteful. Service was attentive and knowledgeable; had some great wine selections by the glass, and all matched the food perfectly. As it was cold outside, the Maitre d' kindly called me a taxi. That being said, this was not a cheap experience. Portions were about right for a multi-course experience; after three of them I had no room for desert. Were Votum less expensive, I would be a regular. As it stands it is a very special treat. Maybe early bird specials like Celilo could entice more folks to give this outstanding institution a try.

Overall, the experience could have been better. The food and presentation was very good, the service was attentive, and because we ordered our meal a la cart, the food took way too long. While I suspect the pacing for our meal kept up with those who ate from the 9 course tasting menu, we should not have had to wait as long as we did. The total experience took 2.5 hours for wine, a starter and entree. Also the ambiance was simple and our table was not near the window, so there was nothing to look at except ourselves. That's not a bad thing and it just adds to the justification of a 3 star rating. For Votum to receive 5 stars means the experience should have been transcendent. It wasn't and I wish them the best in a small town like Hood River. NOTE: They should also seek partnerships with the local growers and wineries. I was expecting local wine from the Gorge and surprised none was offered.

Votum is a breath of fresh air for this local, who gets a bit tired of pizza and breweries in HR. This is easily the finest dining in the city, and for the price I wasn't quite sure what to expect. First, the food - WOW. Very seafood forward, everything was spot on. Presentation, taste, texture and complexity were all well thought out and presented at the table by the chef. We did not do the tasting course, but will definitely our next visit. Wine list was well thought out and matched, though I would have liked to see a few more local options listed. Also, they do not currently do cocktails yet, but I was told they may in the future. Service - Top Notch! Server was very attentive and personable, and the removal and addition of plates was well orchestrated and seamless. Seriously best service I've had in a restaurant in quite some time - here in HR and elsewhere. Ambiance - Classic and understated. This is a place where you may want to dress up a bit, though I didn't get a strict dress code impression. The decor and layout is full of clean lines, and feels intimate. All in all, highly recommend - I know I will be back!

We are very enthusiastic about this new Hood River restaurant. The food -- flavor and presentation, are absolutely first-class. They are comparable to, in fact, better than, some of the Michelin-starred restaurants we have experienced in Europe. Contrary to some comments by others, we were delighted by its simplicity of décor (bluish gray wall entirely free of hanging artwork) -- making the implicit statement: "We are just simple frames (like the simple but elegant China dishes) working to support the principal actors who are the food on the table." The overall effects were magical! This high-quality restaurant certainly would attract us back to HR more often. In order to appreciate more what Sarah & Nathan have to offer, we would most likely choose the Tasting Menu rather than the A-La-Carte dinner as we did this time.

We dined for my Mom's 70th Birthday and enjoyed everything about Votum. The tasting menu was diverse with a nice balance from the sea and farm. Every bite was perfectly balanced and delicious and wine pairings were spot on. Nathan (all things front of house) and Chef Sara complement each other just as well.

In the small town of Hood River is a sleeping giant- Votum Restaurant. Go now if you want an incredible dining experience. When word gets out you won't be able to get a table! With Nathan running service in the front, and the incredibly talented young chef Sarah in the back, this place can't miss. We enjoyed the tasting menu paired with incredible wines chosen by Nathan. Chris and Justice, well trained servers, contributed to the impeccable service. Even the salad course was memorable- the ingredients locally sourced, fresh and delicious. Each and every course was thoughtful, beautiful, and tasty. This restaurant is impressive on all fronts.

The food is mediocre for the price. It doesn't fit in with Hood River atmosphere at all. Too stuck up. The restaurant itself and especially the short host guy is not welcoming at all. People from HR community have often noted he can be aggressive... I've lived here for 10+ years and this place is nothing in comparison to the local spots that have amazing food with great service! Don't waste your money!!

Fantastic new seafood restaurant in HR. Definitely worthy of being a destination dining restaurant. Flawless chefs menu w unique primarily international wine pairings. Impeccable friendly service. Expensive? Yes. Worth every nickel? Affirmative. Compared to other comparable high end seafood dining, favorably priced. Feeling very spoiled in our small town.

Wow! One of the best meals I've had in years! The service was excellent and very personalized. We ate a few dishes too fast to photograph. Every course was excellent, it would difficult to pick a favorite. Although each course is small, I was stuffed by round 6 (but I'm not a big volume eater). Cook on all the protein and veg was perfect. I had two of their white wines and both were quite good and my daughter had an Italian lemonade which she enjoyed. They have the most awesome excletic utensils for each dish, I wish I had photographed those! The only oddity was that the restaurant looks like it was an empty building that morning and they moved in 5-6 table to hold dinner. No color, no pictures or art. It was quite odd, but it was a conversation point and as a newer restaurant I guess it's good to get people talking! I wish them luck and its definitely worth every penny!

What a fantastic experience. The service was incredible as was the food. Finally a restaurant that presents high quality over high quality. We will be back for the tasting flight.

We had reservations for a party of six and had initially thought of only partaking in the ala carte selections. However after seeing the Tasting Menu, we all decided to indulge in the offerings of the Tasting Menu. Little to say, we were not disappointed. Each presentation was delivered with style an panache. The servings, although customarily small when ordering a tasting, were so very delicious in so very interesting. We initially joked about having to find another restaurant to quell our hunger after leaving Votum, but surprisingly, that was not at all the case. We highly recommend this Hood River gem, for not only for it's Epicurean delight, but also for the service and hospitality. Jim P.

I am not sure why there are so many good reviews for this restaurant. The food is not bad, however, the prices are beyond the pale. There are some excellent restaurants in town and with that, can think of no reason to return.

Votum is a charming new fine dining white tablecloth restaurant in the heart of downtown Hood River. We chose the tasting menu with the wine pairing. I loved the creativity and attention to detail of each dish and the presentation and I marveled at the hard work that went into each course. Each offered a mouthful of bursting flavors and textures from the very first bite all the way to dessert. The wines that accompanied each course were superb. One of my favorite dishes was the savory custard of crab with uni (sea urchin). Of interest in the hallway is the salt-water tank where they keep the live crabs. The house-made bread, whole wheat sourdough with a touch of rye, combined with the house-made butter was delicious. The restaurant was nicely lit, quiet and comfortable with staff who are friendly and professional. Fine dining is expensive but well worth the price at Votum Restaurant. We will be back.

We recently had dinner here with friends and we were very disappointed with the restaurant. The prices are absurdly high and we live in Los Angeles where we are accustomed to pricey restaurants. Tiny portions, wine is overpriced, and the atmosphere is nonexistent. I'm sorry to say this but I definitely wish we had not relied on the Yelp reviews.

This restaurant is the new hidden treasure of foodie places to of Hood-river . I highly recommend it, for one that wants To tease their palet on each course , this is the place for you. The oyster selection was perfect , so fresh amazingly flavorful . My seafood tartare was a treat, rich and topped off with a fresh farm quail egg. This dish was complemented with house made cracker with just the right amount of sea salt. My next course was the risotto , amazing flavors from the trumpet mushrooms served in delightful French China ware. Yes, I continued onto the main course, which was incredible and picture perfect ; bouillabaisse with various fish. The Dungeness crab was so fresh full of flavor , the white fish skin was seared crispy, the full dish was topped off with a wonderful broth that did not overpower the seafood rather complemented it. The chef prepares a rye sourdough bread. I have to say it was one of the best ones I've had the crust flavor was intense. I ended my meal with the lemon, tart and fresh brewed Americano brewed to perfection. Service was friendly, knowledgeable on wines to food recommendations. Dinning under this chefs incredible talents you will find your self wanting to try every dish . Bon appétit.

On a trip to Oregon, looking for someplace special for a birthday dinner, I booked a reservation at Votum in Hood River. Chef Sarah Doyle's 9-course tasting menu (with wine pairings) was AMAZING in every way. Best seafood I have ever had! The food was extraordinary - from the cockles ceviche to the fantastic arpege egg topped with caviar to the black cod. Everything is fresh, carefully crafted and made in-house, including the bread and butter. The staff was wonderful, too (and especially great in accommodating my friend's food allergies). Nathan is a knowledgeable sommelier; the wine selections were wonderful. Votum is a splurge but absolutely worth it. I'm definitely headed back next time I'm in the Pacific Northwest.

Had an amazing night at Votum. Enjoyed the tasting menu, highly recommend. Everything we tried was top notch. The owner Nathan was very personable and just downright awesome. If you're looking for a nice dinner this is the spot.

Great food, great service. The owners are personable and talented and create a welcoming and intimate atmosphere! Made a reservation on a whim taking a chance on a fancy dinner which is not a common theme for us, and couldn't have enjoyed it more. Wishing you folks the best on your endeavor with your new restaurant!