Natural Selection

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Natural Selection

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Address:
3033 NE Alberta
Portland, OR 97211

Neighborhood:
Downtown Portland - NE

Getting there ›
Cuisine:
Vegetarian

Price: $30 and under

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More Details ›

Natural Selection Details

Dining Style: Fine Dining
Website: http://www.naturalselectionpdx.com
Email: hello@naturalselectionpdx.com
Phone: (503) 288-5883
Hours of Operation: Dinner: Wednesday - Saturday: 5:30pm - 10:00pm.
Payment Options: AMEX, MasterCard, Visa
Cuisine: Vegetarian, Modern European
Executive Chef: Aaron Woo
Dress Code: Smart Casual
Accepts Walk-Ins: Yes
Additional Details: Farm to Table, Full Bar, Gluten-free Menu, Wine

Getting there

Cross Street: 31st
Public Transit: The Trimet Bus #9-Powell/Broadway can be boarded on Broadway Ave in the Portland City Center. The bus crosses NE Alberta at 27th, a few blocks from our location. Broadway and Radio Cabs are a good option for travelers. Ample bike parking available.
Parking: Street Parking
Parking Details: Ample parking available on the streets surrounding the restaurant.

A word from Natural Selection

Natural Selection is a restaurant built on vegetables, fruits, and grains, featuring finely crafted meals paired with choice wines and spirits. Served in a warm European-style setting, the menu combines both rustic and modern cooking techniques while highlighting the flavors of France, Italy &… Spain.Continued

Natural Selection

4.6

194 $30 and under restaurant

Awards voted by OpenTable diners

Diners' Choice WinnerBest Food
Diners' Choice WinnerBest Overall
Diners' Choice WinnerFit for Foodies

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Featured Reviews

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Reviews from OpenTable Diners Learn More

197 Current Reviews

Summary of Diner Ratings & Reviews

Overall

(Outstanding) 4.5 / 5

Food

(Outstanding) 4.7 / 5

Service

(Outstanding) 4.4 / 5

Ambiance

(Outstanding) 4.3 / 5

Noise Level

Moderate

197 Current Reviews

Summary of Diner Ratings & Reviews

Overall

(Outstanding) 4.5 / 5

Food

(Outstanding) 4.7 / 5

Service

(Outstanding) 4.4 / 5

Ambiance

(Outstanding) 4.3 / 5

Noise Level

Moderate

Filter Reviews By:

Diners classify this restaurant as:

fit for foodies(166)
special occasion(125)
romantic(97)

neighborhood gem(93)
notable wine list(39)
hot spot(22)

Current OpenTable.com Diner Reviews (197)

Overall rating

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Exceptional

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 04/04/2012

2010

Dined on 04/04/2012

2010

Food

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Service

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Ambiance

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Noise Level

Moderate

"Loved it. The chef obviously has a very intimate relationship with -and intense knowledge of- his ingredients. I want everyone who is afraid of a meal sans animal protein to experience how real this food is. I also love the small size of the restaurant and the most open kitchen I've ever seen. (Complete with mirrors so you don't miss the show if you're not facing the kitchen). Must go!"

Dined on 04/04/2012

2010

Special Features: fit for foodies, romantic, special occasion

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Overall rating

(Very Good) 4 / 5

The food was fresh, delicious,

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 04/06/2012

2012

Dined on 04/06/2012

2012

Food

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Service

(Good) 3 / 5

Ambiance

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Noise Level

Moderate

"The food was fresh, delicious, and different than your typical vegan experience. The visual was extremely appealing. All of it was a hit except the desert. Too much sauce that overwhlemed the already tart cake. Not a favorite, but hopefully that isn't always the case! Overall, a wonderful place!"

Dined on 04/06/2012

2012

Special Features: romantic, special occasion

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Overall rating

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Overall a wonderful experience,

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 04/05/2012

2008

Dined on 04/05/2012

2008

Food

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Service

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Ambiance

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Noise Level

Quiet

"Overall a wonderful experience, a few minor negatives. We would have expected our server to be more knowledgeable about the wines and to have provided a bit more information about the courses in the prix fixe dinner. On the other hand the food itself was wonderful and quite unique, the chef/owner Woo was a delight to watch. We are definitely planning on many return visits."

Dined on 04/05/2012

2008

Special Features: fit for foodies

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Overall rating

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Amazing!

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 04/05/2012

2012

Dined on 04/05/2012

2012

Food

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Service

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Ambiance

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Noise Level

Moderate

"Possibly the best meal I've ever had, with the exception of the last time I ate there! Truly amazing food, great ambiance, great location, all around wonderful experience. Will definitely be back!"

Dined on 04/05/2012

2012

Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion

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Overall rating

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Fantastic. We'll be back

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 04/05/2012

2012

Dined on 04/05/2012

2012

Food

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Service

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Ambiance

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Noise Level

Moderate

"Fantastic. We'll be back for special occasions."

Dined on 04/05/2012

2012

Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion

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Overall rating

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Great food! Had the stinging

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 04/04/2012

2011

Dined on 04/04/2012

2011

Food

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Service

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Ambiance

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Noise Level

Moderate

"Great food! Had the stinging nettles pasta...one of the best meals I've had in Portland. Everything else was very good too, but the stinging. Etes was definitely a stand out item, very unique and very good!"

Dined on 04/04/2012

2011

Special Features: fit for foodies, romantic, special occasion

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Overall rating

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Vegan gourmet dining.

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 03/29/2012

2012

Dined on 03/29/2012

2012

Food

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Service

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Ambiance

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Noise Level

Quiet

"Eating a vegan diet in Portland is not too difficult, but I do miss eating in a gourmet restaurant, which is not easily found anywhere, and was not disappointed with the quality of food and service we enjoyed at Natural Selections. I loved this restaurant and plan to return."

Dined on 03/29/2012

2012

Special Features: fit for foodies, special occasion

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Overall rating

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

This was the best meal we've

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 03/31/2012

2012

Dined on 03/31/2012

2012

Food

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Service

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Ambiance

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Noise Level

Quiet

"This was the best meal we've had in a long time. Wonderful flavors beautifully presented. Our favorite was the Stinging Nettles al Torchio. Service was attentive but not overbearing - just right. They allow two hours per seating. Plan on using all of that. We allowed 1 1/2 hrs in order to make it to a play, and while they were helpful in accommodating our need to be mindful of the time, we wish we had allowed more time to linger over coffee and dessert. Perhaps our new favorite Portland restaurant!"

Dined on 03/31/2012

2012

Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, special occasion

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Overall rating

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

I remember every bite.

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 03/30/2012

2012

Dined on 03/30/2012

2012

Food

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Service

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Ambiance

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Noise Level

Moderate

"Amazing place. I took my wife here for her birthday and we couldn't have been more pleased. The chef whipped up some amazing coconut ice-cream and threw a candle in it to add to our already quite delicious desert. Not a single flaw in service, the place runs smooth. You can watch the chefs prepare everything and none of them seemed stressed out or in a rush yet food came out on-time and beautiful."

Dined on 03/30/2012

2012

Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion, hot spot

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Overall rating

(Fair) 2 / 5

Disappointing

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 03/23/2012

2008

Dined on 03/23/2012

2008

Food

(Good) 3 / 5

Service

(Fair) 2 / 5

Ambiance

(Fair) 2 / 5

Noise Level

Moderate

"I made a reservation a month before our visit; when we got there, instead of being shown to the seat with the window view(on its own and not right next to other diners)we were put in the very back of the room, smackdab next to others. When I asked about it, I was told that other people had requested that seat. I felt I had made the reservation in plenty of time to get the "best seat" available. I guess that isn't how they do things. Then, while we were eating our salad, the people next to us were served an apertif while they waited for their meal. I was curious why the waiter chose to offer that to them but not to us; it seemed an odd thing to do. The food was good, but SMALL portions and expensive, and the wine list was limited."