So, you may have read the headline and thought:
Resolutions? It’s almost February? Isn’t it a little late for that?
Sure, it may be late in the season to recommend some restaurants on the North Fork that will help you stay on your healthy eating kick, but that’s kind of the point. Because it’s around this time that people slow down or just give up on the goals they set almost a month ago.
PLUS, this isn’t just any list. It’s not your typical lineup of health food snack spots or clean eating joints. And it’s definitely not a list of salads you can get just about anywhere. No. This list is for those nights when all your friends want to go out to eat, but you’re not quite ready to ditch the healthy eating and dive head first into the mac and cheese.
Here are some choices for you, the one trying to keep your New Year’s resolutions without feeling like you’re eating rabbit food while everyone else is munching on loaded fries.
Love Lane Kitchen – Goat Cheese Panini
Paninis are great — filling and satisfying to the taste buds. The goat cheese on focaccia will give you your carb and cheese fix, and the sautéed mushrooms, onions, zucchini, squash and eggplant will give you those few servings of vegetables plus pack in some flavor.
240 Love Lane, Mattituck, (631) 298-8989, lovelanekitchen.com
Lucharitos – Lucha Fit
It’s so easy to go to Lucharitos and go crazy. Just a few minutes with those chips and queso in front of you, and soon you’ll realize you’ve devoured just about the whole thing. Luckily, they have a section on the menu called “Lucha Fit.” A burrito bowl, a salad filled with tomato, cabbage, cucumber, pico de gallo, corn salsa, cheese and guacamole or, at their Greenport location, a healthier version of a fajita — the Luchita.
119 Main Street, Greenport, (631) 477-6666, lucharitos.com
Olive Branch Café – Eggplant Istanbul or Small Combination Platter
To be honest, Olive Branch in Greenport has a ton of really delightful, healthy options, but here are two that really stand out. Their eggplant Istanbul is a wonderful mix of roasted eggplant, red pepper, garlic, olive and herbs, and the small combination platter (spoiler alert: it’s not small) comes with a selection of their appetizers arranged in a colorful rainbow. Black olive dip, fresh beets and herbs, muhammara (roasted red pepper paste and crushed walnuts), fresh carrots with herbs, haydari (a tangy Turkish yogurt dip) and hummus (told you it wasn’t small). And if you’re in the mood for a splurge, the warm pita bread is addicting.
120 Front Street, Greenport, (631) 333-2444, olivebranchgreenport.com
Main Road Biscuit Co. – Quinoa & Lentil Bowl
Quinoa and lentils are two incredibly underrated ingredients. When made right (and seasoned well), they can be deliciously satisfying. Main Road’s includes spinach, shaved radish and a cider vinaigrette. Plus a little pickled cabbage and pepitas to add some texture, and you’ve got yourself one tasty bowl that won’t make you want to go into a food coma. The animal-protein free option is only available at lunch, but on their dinner menu they add seared ahi tuna to the bowl.
1601 Main Road, Jamesport, (631) 779-3463, mainroadbiscuitco.com
Barrow Food House – Spaghetti Squash Latkes
Barrow Food House has tons of great veggie options on their menu like charred greens, roasted sweet potato and Brussels sprouts. But if you want something with a little more oomph to it, try the spaghetti squash latkes. The fried, crispy flavor will certainly make them feel like a treat but totally guilt-free because of the squash. With it comes some creme fraîche (yum!) and homemade applesauce.
452 Main Road, Riverhead, (631) 779-3379, barrowfoodhouse.com
Ruggero’s – Portobello stack
If you need bread because, well, carbs, then this one is for you. You’ll still get your carb fix with the sandwich, but the other components keep it very healthy. A meaty portobello stacked with roasted red pepper, arugula and fresh mozzarella really round it out. And some balsamic glaze dresses up this Italian classic.
5768 NY-25A suite Y, Wading River, (631) 886-1625, ruggerosrestaurant.com/
