The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
6 (non-salad) dishes that won’t bust your diet
If you’re like many of us, getting fit and eating healthier made it on your 2017 list of resolutions. And while eating out can often put a damper on your diet, it doesn’t have to be the case. Plenty of restaurants are mindful of diners’ diets and have cooked up healthier, lighter dishes to add to their menus for the new year. Here are six options outside the Perimeter that won’t bust your diet—and not a salad in sight!
Brussels Sprouts at Ba Bellies
Think you’re a devout antiBrussels sprouts diner? Think again. The Crispy “Tiger” Sprouts at Ba Bellies in Peachtree Corners are a surprisingly tasty concoction that just may convert the Brussels-sprouts-averse. Prepared with lime, fish sauce, basil, mint and Thai chili (among other ingredients), the bold, flavorful dish is a tangy, bright and crunchy way to get your greens. Get a first look at Ba Bellies here and read our review here.
6025 Peachtree Pkwy., Suite 9, Peachtree Corners, 770-7100565, babellies.com.
‘Lightweight’ menu at Hudson Grille
You can catch the game at a sport bar without major calorie-overload at Hudson Grille, which has several OTP locations, including Alpharetta, Kennesaw, Sandy Springs and Tucker. Just stick to their healthy options, featured in the “Lightweight” section of the menu. Keep it ultra-light with the pan-seared salmon cake with mango salsa, zucchini and jicama slaw, or try the lemon Greek grilled chicken, served with a spinach-tomatof-eta sauté and steamed rice, among other items. There are also several “skinny” cocktails to choose from, including a Skinny Blossom made from gin, soda and lavender syrup.
Various locations. hudsongrille.com/about.
Quinoa bowls at The Big Ketch Saltwater Grill
Right now we’re digging the low-calorie quinoa bowls at The Big Ketch Saltwater Grill in Roswell. For a Greek spin, try the Mediterranean quinoa bowl that comes with cucumbers, feta, Kalamata olives, tomatoes, shaved lettuce and a crisp Meyer lemon vinaigrette. If an Asianinspired dish is more your speed, order the Asian quinoa superfood bowl, loaded with shredded yellow beets, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower and kale, then tossed with a sweet Asian vinaigrette. (You can also add shrimp, chicken, ahi tuna and other protein options if you’re extra hungry).
1105 Canton St., Roswell, 770993-5749, thebigketch.com.
Seared ahi tuna tataki at Ray’s at Killer Creek
At Ray’s at Killer Creek, nosh on the seared ahi tuna tataki, which gets a little zing from citrus-y ponzu sauce and wasabi, served with pickled ginger and cucumber salad. You can also order one of their fresh market seafood items, like the salmon or trout, and get it grilled or broiled for another low-cal option.
1700 Mansell Road, Alpharetta, 770-649-0064, raysrestaurants. com.
Atlantic grouper at Drift Fish House & Oyster Bar
Seafood reigns as a healthy but still flavorful menu option at many restaurants. At Drift Fish House & Oyster Bar in Marietta, try the Atlantic grouper, which is marinated and served with a soy citrus glaze, and then sautéed and served on a sushi rice cake, topped with fresh ginger and scallion. Their wood grilled whole branzino is an impressive display and also keeps things on the lighter spectrum thanks to the absence of heavy sides.
4475 Roswell Road, Marietta, 770-635-7641, driftoysterbar.com.
Açaí bowl at Kale Me Crazy
Check out superfood café Kale Me Crazy, which specializes in cold-pressed juices, smoothies and raw foods. For breakfast, order the açaí bowl, which brims with organic açaí, coconut milk, date, blueberries, cashews and banana or strawberries. It’s topped with coconut, granola, mint and raw honey for a hearty mix of crunchy, chewy, fruity goodness. They also serve up quinoa bowls and several wraps (the chicken pesto is worth a try). Currently, their only OTP location is in Roswell, but expect one in East Cobb next.
1570 Holcomb Bridge Road, Suite 910, Roswell, 678-878-3188, kalemecrazy.net.