OK Omens is a stylish spot with a chic atmosphere, serving exquisite wines and thoughtfully crafted small plates, perfect for an elegant yet relaxed outing.
"Award-winning sommelier Brent Braun of Castagna busted out his collection of the good stuff when OK Omens opened in the summer of 2018, but he did so with an eye toward affordability. The bright, breezy wine bar and “neo-bistro” offers an astonishing collection of wine-geek bottles at reasonable prices. Summertime sees open-air dining on the outdoor patio lit by overhanging string lights, while in winter, diners retreat indoors to the sleek and stylish plant-filled dining room. Riesling lovers will find OK Omens a hard place to beat (there’s a full section entitled, “Good Lord, I think we need some help drinking all this riesling”), and the by-the-glass menu — which features pairing suggestions and delightfully inventive tasting notes —and knowledgable staff ensure that wine drinkers of all varieties will find something they’ll love." - Zoe Baillargeon, Alex Frane
"This Southeast Portland restaurant and wine bar can feel awfully luxurious with its bowls of green garlic soup, halibut with mussel jus bisque, and American wagyu steaks — however, its happy hour is a strong alternative for those wanting to inhale oysters alongside single-digit glasses of Mosel riesling. OK Omens offers $1 oysters from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m., plus cheap snacks like $4 fries; wines by the glass, picked out by lauded sommelier Brent Braun, are only $9, and cocktails are $2 off. Plus, whole bottles of riesling are 25 percent off, for those wanting to use their hour wisely." - Brooke Jackson-Glidden, Maya MacEvoy, Eater Staff
"With counter seating and small plates, wine bars are a natural fit for those flying solo. Ok Omens, an airy, light-washed space with concrete floors, is a great spot to chat with the knowledgeable staff to find wines by the glass — whether wild and funky or classic and traditional — to pair with chilled oysters or a small bowl of warm cheddar beignets that need not be shared." - Nathan Williams, Krista Garcia
"This Southeast Portland restaurant and wine bar can feel awfully luxurious after bowls of green garlic soup, halibut with mussel jus bisque, and American wagyu steaks — however, its happy hour is a strong alternative for those wanting to inhale oysters alongside single-digit glasses of Mosel riesling. OK Omens offers $1 oysters from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m., plus cheap snacks like $4 fries; wines by the glass, picked out by lauded sommelier Brent Braun, are only $9, and cocktails are $2 off. Plus, whole bottles of riesling are 25 percent off, for those wanting to use their hour wisely." - Brooke Jackson-Glidden, Maya MacEvoy
"Back in the day, chef Justin Woodward raked in James Beard Award nominations for his work at the now-closed tasting menu restaurant Castagna. Now, he spends most of his time firing crispy duck legs and fried chicken-topped salads at the Hawthorne wine bar and restaurant OK Omens; however, groups of at least 7 diners get a glimpse of Woodward’s tasting menu days as a part of the restaurant’s large group dinners. For $70 per person, the dinner is a set, family-style menu of OK Omens’ classics, plus a few seasonal additions. Reservations are available on OpenTable." - Brooke Jackson-Glidden
