Raw Lasagna at Pure Food & Wine

In the wake of Governor Paterson’s proposed tax on sugar sweetened beverages to encourage a healthier New York, here’s a list of restaurants that defy the widely held notion: that healthy food tastes bad. From fine dining to deli, these handful of restaurants serve up some of the most delicious foods I’ve ever had and have constantly impressed meat-eaters!!

Blue Hill

75 Washington Pl, New York, NY 10011 (map)

Dan Barber’s philosophy of fresh food at Blue Hill Restaurant makes this the ultimate organic fine dining experience no other Michelin starred establishment can top. It’s location in Westchester County is even more amazing, in the beautiful setting of the Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture, a non-profit farm and educational center, to promote sustainable, community-based food production. That means that Blue Hill’s menus are designed around the freshest seasonal ingredients grown on the farm and other local farms. Expensive but so worth it!

Pure Food and Wine

54 Irving Pl, New York, NY 10003 (map)

Seriously, can raw food taste so good? The chefs at Pure Food and Wine certainly know what they are doing, as they serve delicious gourmet fare that is never heated above 118 F to preserve essential nutrients and enzymes that our body needs. It’s difficult to believe that the raw lasagna, nut “cheese”, ravioli, chocolate desserts, and other exotic dishes are meat and dairy free! But best of all is how flavorful and rich each course turned out to be. Even the water was filtered using a $6000+ Tensui Japanese Water filter! I truly felt ‘cleansed’ and healthy dining here and I crave a return visit!

Rouge Tomate

10 E 60th St, New York, NY 10022 (map)

Created by Emmanuel Verstraeten, this newest 1-Michelin starred restaurant champions the “S.P.E.” concept, which promotes “health through food” via Sourcing, Ppreparing and Enhancing fresh ingredients. They even have an in-house nutritionist, Natalia Rusin, who works with Executive Chef Jeremy Bearman to prepare a gourmet menu with healthy, nutrient-dense cream- and butter-free cuisine. To illustrate, the spread that comes with the bread basket is made from a refreshing broccoli spread that is delicious! The “green” concept doesn’t end here, as the entire restaurant is built with wood certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), wood harvested from forests less than 500 miles from NY. Definitely worth a visit!

Souen

28 E 13TH St Ste 1, New York, NY 10003 (map)

This is the first restaurant that I discovered in NYC that serves Macrobiotic food (balanced, unprocessed and unrefined foods that are in season), a concept that had always piqued my interest. This small and casual restaurant gets super packed on Fri/Sat nights but rightly so since the food is super healthy and promotes good digestion. Might be bland to some people, but I absolutely love it and feel like I’ve recharged my immune system with “live” foods that protect my health.

Eva’s

11 W 8TH St, New York, NY 10011 (map)

Eva’s, opened since 1978 is the original health food restaurant / store that spawned the modern day “The Pump” and “Energy Kitchen.” Whether you are health-conscious, a workout enthusiast, or vegan, Eva’s offers delicious treats from protein shakes, fresh squeezed juices, protein-dense plates, and Mediterranean food that is bursting of energy and flavor. Prices are super reasonable and is a perfect after-workout dining spot! I love that they have a one-stop health shop at the back of the restaurant, give you the option of adding vitamins and supplements to your meal, and serve meals in plasAtic plates!

The Pump

113 E. 31st St, New York, NY 10016 (map)

A chain in multiple NY locations, The Pump serves a Mediterranean diet with a NY twist and a fitness focus. Its food is never friend, laden with mayo, or drenched in butter. It uses whole wheat instead of white bread, and is protein-rich. Check this joint out as a healthy alternative to a fast food spot!