by Ellen White » Sun Jun 22, 2008 11:03 pm
Fish is really healthy (if it isn't fried). I wish more places would offer other than salmon (I hate cooked salmon). The Bristol usually has a fish special for lunch every day. While the fish usually comes with some kind of sauce, I always ask for it with no sauce, so basically you're getting a piece of grilled fish. It usually comes with vegetable of the day and rice. Ask for the fish with no sauce, the veg with no butter, and you've got a pretty healthy meal.
Sushi is also a good choice, or sashimi if you don't want the rice. Nigiri is much healhtier than the rolls.
Meridian Cafe has lots of vegetarian items, which are pretty healthy. I always ask for my sandwiches with no cheese, and it is no problem. Also, their soup is very healthy. I believe the tomato soup is vegan, so it is not filled with cream. Meridian is very reasonably priced. Also, you can substitute fruit as a side.
I also do not like salads as a rule, although the salads at The Grape Leaf, Proof, and YaChing's are good. I usually find that, when I eat a salad, I'm just hungry later and eat more chocolate, so what's the point? Also, with most places, they give you a salad, but fill it with cheese and bacon. I did go to Hard Rock last week just to get a Cobb Salad, but I had to ask for no cheese, no bacon, and dressing on the side.
Also at The Grape Leaf, you can order from their brunch menu anytime. While not great to eat all the time, eggs are a good source of protein. You can get scrambled or poached eggs with fruit. You could also get a bowl of lentil soup, which comes with some pita. Tabbouleah is also very good there. You can get half orders of many of their items. So, for example, you could order tabbouleah and a half order of hummus.
Hummus is supposed to be really good for you, a great source of protein, and just a little bit fills you up. You can find great hummus at The Grape Leaf, Pita Delites, Cafe Lou Lou, and Mojito.
City Cafe always has a vegetarian special every day and their soup is always vegetarian. One of the best things about City Cafe is they have a 1/2 sandwich and soup combo (also a great thing about Meridian). They will also customize their sandwiches, so you can get 1/2 a turkey sandwich (which normally comes with cream cheese, but ask them to leave that off) and a bowl of soup. Very filling, but also pretty healthy.
Really, I have found that almost every restaurant in town will accomodate a diner's special request, if possible. For example, they will gladly leave off the cheese or the mayo or the sauce or even the meat (example: Cafe Lou Lou-turkey delight minus turkey minus cheese as a wrap = hummus wrap with avocado). However, this is not always true, as some things are "pre-made" (Bistro 301, asked for a veggie wrap minus olives and was told they are premade and you can't customize; Third Avenue Cafe, asked for some kind of wrap minus mayo but it is pre-made so you have to have the mayo; Panera, asked for a chicken panini minus cheese, but, you guessed it, it is pre-made so if you want it you have to have the cheese).
If you can avoid sauce, mayo, cheese, and fried foods, you've got a lot of hurdles covered. If you can find a way to take out the meat, you'll also save calories, but just remember to have another source of protein, such as legumes. All of the places I mentioned here are reasonably priced.
