THE {FOODIE} LIFE:
FAVE FIVE | HEALTH-CONSCIOUS HOT SPOTS
Dining out is NYC doesn’t have to take away from your wellness routine. I have dined at the fave five, health-conscious health spots and wanted to share them with our wellness readers!
Our friends at Luxury Attache TOWN Residential put together a list of the hottest health-conscious hot spots right now in NYC. Despite swimsuit season coming to a close, there’s always reason to keep that summer health regimen in effect. Luxury Attache hand-picked some of the best spots around NYC, and in the process, learned that there’s so much more to being healthy than just kale salads and juicing.
Here are our FAVE FIVE in our downtown neighborhoods.
LITTLE BEET TABLE – NOMAD
The sequel to Franklin Becker’s beloved fast-casual Midtown eatery opened late last year with well-deserved fanfare and a whole lot of healthy, gluten free goodness. A full-service, sit-down version of its predecessor, Little Beet Table is a haven for those with a solid sense of good, clean and food sensitivities or allergies. Go for Chef Franklin Becker’s famed acorn squash to start, and of course, one of our favorites to follow. Between the pan-roasted chicken with “herbs of Scarborough Fair” and the grilled skirt steak with chimichurri and roasted potatoes, Chef makes it difficult to go wrong here. And it goes without saying that just about anyone can get behind the housemade root beer. After such a healthy meal, it’s well-deserved.
333 Park Avenue South between 24th and 25th Streets
ABC KITCHEN – FLATIRON
Where Jean-Georges and ABC are involved, we’re all in. ABC Kitchen celebrates community and the future of the slow food movement via sustainable practices and award-winning cuisine in the heart of the Flatiron district. Not only are ingredients locally sourced, but menus are made from recycled paper and earthenware is fired just one state over. Chat with thy neighbor over a handful of freshly picked wildflowers while noshing on fried organic chicken with hot sauce butter, and save room for home décor shopping for dessert. Don’t mind if we do.
35 East 18th Street between Broadway and Park Avenue South
DIMES – LOWER EASTSIDE
Borne of a small but mighty smoothie bar by founders Sabrina de Sousa and Alissa Wagner, Dimes has taken flight after just two years, taking dining to the next level as far as Canal Street is concerned. This Chinatown hotspot gives diners a little taste of L.A.with its airy, whitewashed space, custom floral arrangements by Meta Flora, and of course, Instagram-worthy acai bowls and couscous salads. While now notorious for the occasional model or artist sighting, let’s be honest: we’re usually too into our food to notice. From pitaya bowls with dragonfruit purée to spicy japanese eggplant with figs and yogurt, it’s nearly impossible to focus on anything else. While Dimes 2.0 outgrew their old Division Street digs and moved a few doors down to a more spacious location, the duo in the spirit of resourcefulness is currently repurposing the former outpost into Dimes Superette, which will offer seasonal produce, dry goods, an apothecary, and bites on the go. Another pitaya bowl, please.
49 Canal Street between Orchard and Ludlow Streets
CAFE CLOVER – WEST VILLAGE/SOHO
While there was speculation on whether Cafe Clover would last in the “doomed” address at 10 Downing Street (the previous home of La Villette amongst many others), the restaurant will be hitting its one-year mark next January and shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon. A favorite of fashionistas and locals alike, this neighborhood gem serves up health-conscious dishes that are as visually appealing as they are palate-pleasing. As if that’s not enough of a selling point, Cafe Clover has designed a cocktail menu with the same care and creativity, so diners can have a round or three sans the guilt. Cheers to that.
10 Downing Street at Sixth Avenue
LITTLE PARK – TRIBECA
Andrew Carmellini has done it again with Little Park and Evening Bar, The Smyth Hotel’s dynamic dining duo. The Italian-influenced cornerstone gem boasts a fleet of craft cocktails and a seasonal vegetable-forward menu, flanked by its sister den just around the corner through the ultra-chic lobby. True to its seasonal concept, Carmellini changes up the menu quite often, keeping things ever-interesting. Make it a point to start the weekend off right by brunching here — might we recommend the brûléed grapefruit and spelt pancakes with vanilla butter? It’s almost too much to handle. Almost.
85 West Broadway between Chambers and Warren Streets