Keeping it Healthy While Eating Out in NYC

Ever feel overwhelmed by the seemingly endless amount of restaurants this city has to offer? Just when you think you know the ins and outs of a neighborhood, a new local spot opens and throws you for a loop. That’s why we we’ve brought over Leah Silberman and Molly Rieger, registered dietitians and co-founders of Tovita Nutrition, to give us their “Tovita-approved” guide to Eating out in NYC. Tovita is a virtual nutrition counseling and concierge service with a home base in Manhattan. As foodies who love to dine out, they work to teach clients how to navigate menus, so that staying healthy doesn’t require cooking at home 7 nights a week. Here we get a sneak peak into the girls’ favorite go-to spots, plus their tips for tweaking menu items into tovita-approved dishes.

The Top Ten List – Keeping it Healthy While Eating Out in NYC

By Chloe: This Greenwich Village gem opened up just this month and we couldn’t be happier. Their menu is comprised of plant-based, vegan foods – but they offer far more than a salad and juice bar. Grab a black bean quinoa guac burger to go, or sit down to enjoy some whiskey BBQ while you color in your placemat with crayons (yes, we’ve discovered a place where it’s safe for adults to behave like kids). Added bonus: they have wifi, so feel free to catch up on emails while you cool down with the Merry Prankster.

What we got Eating Out in NYC at By Chloe:

Spicy Thai Salad (sans crispy wontons)
Greek Salad
The Giving Tree green juice
The Merry Prankster watermelon juice

By Chloe – Website
185 Bleecker Street, NY, NY

Cafe Clover: We love this place, especially for dinner. Request a table outside if it’s a nice night. Their menu focuses on simple, clean ingredients, constructed creatively. We have been there several times and we have to admit, almost the entire menu is Tovita-approved, so you can order freely knowing you will get a fresh and light meal. Our favorite touch? The homemade seeded crackers with pea and garlic dip that have replaced the traditional breadbasket.

What we got at Cafe Clover:

Kale Salad, Market Crudite, Seared Diver Scallops, Organic Scottish Salmon, Cauliflower “Steak”

Cafe Clover – Website 10 Downing Street, NY, NY

Grey Dog: When you think of “healthy eats,” Grey Dog may not come to mind. They’re not vegan, and they’re certainly not gluten free, but the truth is if you know how to navigate their menu, it’s loaded with healthy dishes. This is one of our favorites for a casual weekend brunch or for ordering in dinner. They have it all, whether you want to go the omelet route or you’re craving a wrap. Can’t make up your mind? They’ll meet you halfway. Go half sandwich, half salad.

What we got Eating Out in NYC at Grey Dog:

Grilled tofu wrap, Country Style Salad with tofu (sans croutons), Grilled chicken & palm salad, Omelet with spinach and feta (swap the fries for fruit)

Grey Dog – Website Several Locations in NYC

Westville: Who doesn’t love this place? Westville is known for using high quality ingredients prepared simply and always fresh. We know we can rely on Westville whether we are curing a hangover or ordering a light dinner.

What we got at Westville

Market plate with cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, mushrooms, and artichokes Grilled salmon salad Grilled marinated chicken breast  with two market sides of Asian style bok choy and snow peas with sesame and ginger

Westville – Website Several Locations in NYC

Little Beet Table: We are BIG Little Beet fans! We are also big fans of the Little Beet story. The chef was diagnosed with type II diabetes and as a result, completely transformed his diet. His fresh and healthy menu is evidence of his health mission. Everything on the menu is flavorful and delectable.

What we got Eating Out at Little Beet Table

Farmers Market salad, Roasted Carrots, Pan Roasted Sea Scallops, Pan Roasted Hudson Valley Organic chicken

Little Beet Table – Website 333 Park Avenue South, NY, NY

Dimes: This little spot on the LES is a brunch favorite with a hipster vibe. It is most definitely a health nut’s dream, as it offers unique dishes made with original ingredients. It’s not often (but it gets us stoked) we can find gooseberries or lavender acai on a menu. You will need to visit a few times to try everything that sounds enticing.

What we got at Dimes:

The Big Salad Seared Tuna, Nori Wrap, Ciao Bowl, Carob Acai Bowl

Dimes – Website 49 Canal Street, NY, NY

Spring Street Natural: This spot on the corner of Spring and Lafayette has a menu that caters to almost all of us. Vegan, pescatarian, or straight up carnivore, you’ll be able to pick your poison here. We’re especially big fans of the salads. Just follow a few Tovita guidelines, ie. ditch the croutons and order dressing on the side, and you’ve got our green light!

What we got Eating Out in NYC at Spring Street Natural

Grilled Black sea bass, Spring Natural Chopped Salad with tofu, Organic Quinoa Salad, Grilled free range chicken, burger (open faced)

Spring Natural – Website 62 Spring Street, NY, NY

12 Chairs Cafe: We think this SoHo restaurant has managed to keep a relatively low profile in the health conscious community. Their Mediterranean menu is inherently healthy, yet they have modified traditional Israeli dishes by adding their own special flare, ie. the guacamole. Of course, they serve items like falafel and pita, but what Israeli restaurant doesn’t? It’s up to you do the menu navigating.

What we got at 12 Chairs Cafe:

Israeli Guacamole with veggies
Israeli salad
Shakshuka
12 chairs salad with chicken

12 Chairs Cafe – Website
56 MacDougal Street, NY, NY
& New Location in Brooklyn @ 342 Wythe Avenue, Brooklyn, NY

Siggy’s Good Food: We love everything about this casual hippie establishment. Their locally sourced ingredients are cooked with Mediterranean undertones and we can assure you that there is a dish that will satisfy absolutely everyone.

What we got Eating Out in NYC at Siggy’s:

Live Earth Salad
Greek style quinoa and avocado salad
Grilled baby Artichokes plate
Quinoa spinach cakes

Siggy’s Good Food – Website
292 Elizabeth St, NY, NY

Ngam: We can’t get enough of Thai cuisine, though we’ll be the first to admit it can be a challenge to pinpoint the healthy options. For us, Thai food doesn’t mean greasy stir fries and noodle dishes. Ngam takes a modern twist on Thai by providing the classics along with healthier alternatives. The zucchini noodle pad thai satisfies our frequent pad thai cravings, without making us feel the repercussions of white-carbo loading.

What we got at Ngam:

Yum Jin Gai Rustic chicken soup
Spicy Kale and mushroom salad
Grilled tofu & Enoke mushroom with herbs in banana leaves
Zucchini pad thai

Ngam – Website
99 3rd Avenue, NY, NY

Healthy Eating Out in NYC Post written by Molly & Leah of Tovita