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Natural Selection
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Natural Selection
What Our Expert Scouts Are Saying
The theory of Natural Selection may be oft debated (though not among scientists), but the menu items at the new vegetarian spot by the same name are sure to elicit a more unanimous response. Just as Darwin's theory asserts that small changes and mutations result in a more sophisticated human, minor additions like a spike of truffle on a carefully crafted dish of poached eggs, potato, winter squash and brussels sprouts, results in more evolved interpretation of vegetarian fare.
By Raymond Sila
What Our Expert Scouts Say
December 28, 2012
Winning over herbivores and omnivores alike with their cleverly designed and affordable plant-based prix fixe menu. Cocktails aren’t too shabby either—I love the Davenport Martini with house-infused rosemary gin.
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December 05, 2012
With its exposed Edison bulbs and gleaming copper-and-steel kitchen, this little Alberta Street spot is that rare place in Portland: all the intimacy and design savvy of our best locavore restaurants without a spec of meat.
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August 14, 2012
This vegetarian restaurant pulls off meat-free cuisine so well, even the carnivorous folks won't notice.
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Heart
August 13, 2012
It's important to make reservations at Natural Selection, Portland's freshest addition to the four course vegetarian fine dining experience.
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Tips for Natural Selection
February 25, 2012
Summary: Overpriced, limited menu,
bring a snack
We tried this restaurant for the first time for my wife's birthday last night and I have to say I was not impressed. My wife is vegetarian but I, my son and her parents are not. I felt like the menu lacked enough protein (in lieu of having meat of course). The soup was good and tasty but I don't think it justified the $11 price tag. it was a fairly thin carrot and parsnip soup and the portion size was, shall I say, lacking.
I also tried the orrechiette pasta. This was quite tasty but the protein in this dish was noticeable only by its absence. I think there were maybe 10-12 white beans in the entire dish. I expected a more balanced meal.
There was really very little for kids on the menu. They also didn't even have complimentary bread my son could snack on so I had to resort to giving him an Odwalla bar that I happened to have. He did like the endive and lentil appetizer though. He is not a super finicky eater.
Finally, we come to the bottom line. The price of the meal for 5 was $200 which included 4 glasses of wine, a flight of wine and a mixed drink. My son who is 5 really didn't have much off the menu. So effectively this was a meal for four. $200 for four is on the high side but not unheard of. However, you should not spend $50 per person and have two of the four still hungry afterward.
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