Why I even included the word resolution in the title is beyond me because if there is anything I hate more than the resolutions themselves, its hearing that word from January to February. Am I right? However, it doesn’t change the fact that I am on a wellness journey. Despite my goals and nutrition plan however, there is nothing I love more than a night out at one of my favorite restaurants. When I started this journey I couldn’t bare the idea of not eating out again, I mean that’s like medieval torture. Okay not really, but I mean I love to eat out and downtown Dayton has no shortage of flavor when it comes to do so!
Instead of avoiding those invites out, I decided to start researching menus and see what I can enjoy because my eating habits went from Paula Dean to Ellie Krieger, no offense to Paula – I still love butter, I’m just at an age where my heart valves don’t.
Things I try to avoid are sauces that mention “cream”, anything fried or crispy and a majority of the time red meat and some dairy but every once in while a girl needs beef and cheese.
So here it goes, these are my favorite restaurants and the items I would choose.
5 Downtown Restaurants & The Dishes That Won’t Ruin Your Resolution
Branzino Fish Dish, photo courtesy of Wheat Penny
Salads
- Dressed Greens With Wine Vinaigrette (Try to resist the Buttermilk Dressing)
- Kale Salad
Vegetables
- Autumn Mixed Grill
Main Dish
- Grilled Rock Shrimp, Broccolini and Peppers with Polenta
- Crispy Brick Chicken Thighs
- Grilled Mediterranean Branzino
- Cauliflower T-Bone
Add any of their plate dinner side choices!
Sides & Salads
- Caramelized Leek & Mushroom Soup
- Winter Greens, Baby Kale & Frisee Salads
Small & Medium Plates
- Seared Scallops
- Red Lentil Cakes
- Oysters on a Half Shell
- Acorn Squash
Dinner
- Steal head Trout
- And ask about their specials 🙂
Ahi Salad, photo courtesy of Coco’s Bistro
Appetizers
- Eggplant Wheels
- Pickled Devil
Salads
- Ahi Tuna
- Black & Blue
- Spinach
With salads, I always ask for dressing on the side or bring my own in my purse. It helps me monitor portion.
Dinner
- Red Trout
- Vegan Pho
- Hatch Valley Chop (easy on those hush puppies) 🙂
Photo Courtesy of Salar
Appetizers
- Yucca and Crab Causa
Salads
- Goat Cheese & Marcona Salad
- Baby Kale & Goat Cheese
Dinner
- Vegan Roots, Nuts & Rice
- White Bean Vegan Scallops
- Ed Hill Farm’s Chicken
- Beef Saltado Style Sans Potatoes
- Red Quinoa Encrusted Chilean Sea Bass
- Seared Scallops
I was super sad to hear about the recent fire at Salar and look forward to their reopening soon. In the meantime, there is a fundraiser to support their employees will be out of work until the renovations are complete. You can learn more here.
CORNER KITCHEN (My favorite place to nosh!)
Photo Courtesy of Corner Kitchen
Small Plates
- Brussel Sprouts
- Fish Tacos
- Pan Seared Salmon (I will often order as my meal!)
Salads
- House Salad
- Quinoa Pita Salad
(add chicken, salmon or tofu to make it your meal!)
Dinners
- Acorn Squash Wedge
- Grilled Swordfish
- Mussels & Fries (maybe not the fries if can fight it)
You’ll notice I didn’t include any desserts and its only because I can’t stop when it comes to anything with sugar. However, a progressive approach would be to just go out for dessert and that’s definitely on my list to do this year! Another fun night out, pick a dish from each place and hit them all!
Happy New Year to all of you, and try to remember that living doesn’t stop because you’ve decided to make changes to your diet. There’s plenty of options to fulfill those desires for flavor! Also all of these restaurants always have amazing local fare specials and they’ll tell you all about them. Make the best choice for you.
Now go make reservations, not resolutions 🙂
Join me in my Facebook Group to see more flavor discoveries, meal makeovers and more!
Be well.
Shana
