Restaurant Guide

First cooked up in upscale spas and enthusiastically adopted by fitness-loving Californians, America’s healthy eating revolution has been taking over home kitchens throughout the land.

This breakaway trend re-energized the creative imaginations of professionals, from celebrity chefs to novices fresh out of culinary schools, who are now wowing restaurant patrons with mouthwatering flavor combinations. Even more remarkable is the continuing trend of using fresh and healthy ingredients to enhance everything on restaurant menus, from the simplest dishes to elaborate gourmet creations. As more eateries are joining the nutrition revolution, substitutions are becoming commonplace, with olive oil elbowing cream and butter out of recipes, sautéing preferred to frying, dressings and sauces appearing more frequently ‘on the side’ than on the food and the notorious, artery-clogging trans-fats being forever banished from the kitchen.

While it’s only good business practice for restaurants to readily change dishes to accommodate their patrons’ allergies and other medical limitations—as, for instance, leaving out dairy for the lactose intolerant or tree-nuts for those with such sensitivities—they go several steps farther by removing any ingredients merely disliked by diners. Cilantro, an herb that is adored by some and abhorred by others, is an excellent example of why such accommodation gives restaurants a competitive edge. As for consumers, thanks to customized service, eating out has never been more delightful.

As rampant obesity and diabetes make us all more mindful of how our health is affected by what we eat, even fast food restaurants are joining the revolution by adding salads and fat-free dishes to their menus.

This restaurant guide aims to help you find the meals and ambiance that meet your expectations, at reasonable prices.

We welcome your suggestions and tips on favorite places, meals and specific recipes–as long as they feature wholesome foods and reasonably healthy cooking methods.