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Red Beet Bourguignon at Woodward Table

Healthy Restaurant Dishes That Won’t Make You Hate Life

Dining light never tasted so right

by Lani Furbank Jan 19, 2017, 1:00pm EST

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Red Beet Bourguignon at Woodward Table

| Woodward Table

by Lani Furbank Jan 19, 2017, 1:00pm EST

Resolving to "eat healthier" can often feel like some sort of cruel punishment, especially when so many green choices put such a somber emphasis on health. A few days of superfood shakes and raw vegetable salads is enough to drive anyone to shamefully devour a Big Mac under the cover of darkness.

The path to better nutrition doesn't have to be paved with starkly seasoned dishes that scream deprivation. There are plenty of ways to find flavor and indulgence without relying on excess calories or fat. In fact, there are some dishes in restaurants that won't necessitate a 60-minute date with the treadmill immediately after consuming them.

Chefs around D.C. — including pioneers such as Todd Gray of Equinox and recent arrival Jeremiah Langhorne of the Dabney — are giving vegetables their due, using a lighter hand when it comes to added fat, and relying on leaner, more nutritious sources of protein. That's great news for diners looking to shed a few pounds or give the old arteries a much needed break.

Here are nearly two dozen places to indulge in adventurous, guilt-free (ish) dining right now.

—Lani Furbank

Have another tip for healthy dining? Share in the comments below.

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Beefsteak

The beet sandwich at José Andrés’ veggie-centric eatery only comes around when the season is right. This year, the star of the Beetsteak Burger will rotate between gold or red beets ($4.99). The nutritious root is lightly pickled and topped with lettuce, tomato, pickled red onion, sprouts, and romaine on an olive oil brioche bun.

1528 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20036

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Also featured in:

BRABO

Chef Harper McClure swaps beets for beef in his white beet carpaccio ($13). Paper-thin slices of beet are brightened by hibiscus, bull’s blood beet granita, preserved lemon, and arugula.

1600 King St, Alexandria, VA 22314

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Central Michel Richard

Though the presentation is the same, the Thai Quinoa Salad with Pickled Daikon at Central is sure to be more satisfying than a meal-prep jarred salad eaten at the office ($14). The mason jar is filled with quinoa, pickled daikon, arugula, and a coconut-peanut dressing.

1001 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20004

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Also featured in:

China Chilcano

Good quality raw fish doesn’t need much help in order to impress. The classic ceviche at China Chilcano features red snapper dressed with simple accoutrements: leche de tigre, sweet potato, red onion, cancha, and cilantro ($14).

418 7th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20004

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Also featured in:

Choolaah Indian BBQ

This Ohio-based, fast-casual Indian concept recently arrived in town, bringing with it tandoor-cooked proteins, naan, and biryanis, along with a selection of accompanying daals and masalas. Their street snacks menu includes pav bhaji, a hearty vegetable curry from Mumbai served on a toasted bun ($6.99). The curry is packed cauliflower, peas, potatoes, peppers, onion, ginger, garlic, lemon, and cilantro.

Open in Google Maps

2918 District Ave, Fairfax, VA 22031

Visit Website

The Dabney

Chef Jeremiah Langhorne always gives vegetables the love they deserve, and the lowly carrot is no exception. His ember-roasted carrots are enhanced by whipped ricotta, sumac, fried garlic, and spicebush ($14).

122 Blagden Alley NW, Washington, D.C. 20001

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Equinox

Salmon is an excellent source of protein and omega-3 fatty acids, so it makes for a guilt-free beef substitute in a burger. Equinox’s Fennel Spiced Salmon Burger comes with mustard aioli on grilled brioche ($20). Even the side gets a nutritional boost courtesy of sweet potato chips.

818 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20006

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Fare Well

Dairy-free burrata seems like an impossible feat, but not when it’s in the hands of vegan magician Doron Petersan. The burrata at Fare Well is made with cashews and almonds, and gussied up with arugula pesto, balsamic marinated tomatoes, arugula, capers, and a toasted baguette ($16).

406 H St NE, Washington, D.C. 20002

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Also featured in:

Firefly

Nutrient-filled acorn squash gets the sweet treatment at Firefly ($20). It’s served with steel-cut oatmeal pilaf, collard greens, Fuji apple, maple syrup, and pine nut gremolata.

1310 New Hampshire Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20004

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Also featured in:

Garrison

Garrison gives beef tartare an upgrade by swapping in a leaner, more salubrious protein: bison. The Virginia Bison Tartare is served with brioche and a quail egg ($17).

524 8th St SE, Washington, D.C. 20003

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Also featured in:

honeygrow

Health-conscious diners can even enjoy dessert, if the treat isn’t laden with excess sugar. Fast-casual Honeygrow offers honeybars, which are kind of like fruit sundaes ($5.45). Start with a choice of three fresh fruits (think: strawberries, blueberries, pineapples, apples, and bananas), garnish with honey or maple syrup, and complete with two toppings (coconut shavings, dark chocolate chips, granola, or plain yogurt).

Open in Google Maps

716 7th St NW, Washington, DC 20001

Logan Tavern

Logan Tavern also relies on bison meat to give its burger some added health benefits. The bison burger is topped with arugula, caramelized onions, and cherry tomatoes on a brioche bun ($17.50). Get sautéed greens on the side instead of fries for even more brownie points.

1423 P St NW, Washington, D.C. 20005

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Also featured in:

Maketto

Maketto turns hearty winter vegetables into a delicate and bright salad ($12). The dish features white-miso tofu hummus, salt-roasted root vegetables, and winter greens lightly seasoned with yuzu and olive oil, garnished with toasted rice powder.

1351 H St NE, Washington, D.C. 20002

Visit Website

Also featured in:

NoPa Kitchen + Bar

Nopa lets nature’s noodle stand in for high-carb pasta. The crispy chicken roulade comes with spaghetti squash, purple barley, guanciale, and sage jus ($26).

800 F St NW, Washington, D.C. 20004

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Also featured in:

Restaurant Eve

Get a hefty dose of omega-3s from four types of seafood folded into the Basque-style stew at Restaurant Eve ($29). The winter warmer features Chesapeake Bay prawns, rockfish, clams, and mussels, as well as linguiça sausage, potatoes, fennel, parsley, garlic, rosemary, and saffron.

110 S Pitt St, Alexandria, VA 22314

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Room 11

Room 11’s Harissa Chicken packs a punch of protein and nutrients ($17). The boneless chicken thigh is served with chickpea masala, coconut milk, baby broccoli, and eggplant.

3234 11th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20010

Visit Website

Also featured in:

The Royal

Grilled avocado may not sound like much, but the simplicity is the key to its success ($11). The Royal’s dish relies on the creamy flavor of the avocado, which is even more satisfying once it gets a little char from the grill. The heart-healthy fruit sits on top of red quinoa and lentils with house vinaigrette.

501 Florida Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20001

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Shouk

Shouk’s menu has no shortage of healthful-but-satisfying meal options; right now, the new mushroom mujadara is where it’s at ($9.75). The mushroom blend includes buttons and portobellos for a bold umami flavor without red meat.

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655 K St NW, Washington, D.C. 20001

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Water & Wall

Another leaner, nutrient-rich alternative to beef is venison. Water and Wall serves up venison loin with celery root, horseradish, caramelized endive, and calvados bordelaise ($15).

3811 Fairfax Dr, Arlington, VA 22203

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Wildwood Kitchen by Robert Wiedmaier

People swear by the Mediterranean diet because the low fat, high nutrient, and moderate protein levels improve heart health. Wildwood Kitchen embraces the same, but flavor doesn’t take a backseat. The grilled lamb loin comes with a rich, black garlic tahini, carrots, freekeh (the supergrain), and burnt honey gastrique ($33).

10223 Old Georgetown Rd, Bethesda, MD 20814

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Woodward Table

Just change one letter and it’s a whole new dish: the Roasted Red Beet Bourguignon at Woodward Table features the red root instead of red meat ($22.50). Their take on the French stew includes farro, baby carrots, roasted grapes, mushrooms, smoked pearl onions, and a vegetable demi-glace.

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1426 H St NW, Washington, DC 20005

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Beefsteak

1528 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20036

The beet sandwich at José Andrés’ veggie-centric eatery only comes around when the season is right. This year, the star of the Beetsteak Burger will rotate between gold or red beets ($4.99). The nutritious root is lightly pickled and topped with lettuce, tomato, pickled red onion, sprouts, and romaine on an olive oil brioche bun.

1528 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20036

Visit Website

BRABO

1600 King St, Alexandria, VA 22314

Chef Harper McClure swaps beets for beef in his white beet carpaccio ($13). Paper-thin slices of beet are brightened by hibiscus, bull’s blood beet granita, preserved lemon, and arugula.

1600 King St, Alexandria, VA 22314

Visit Website

Central Michel Richard

1001 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20004

Though the presentation is the same, the Thai Quinoa Salad with Pickled Daikon at Central is sure to be more satisfying than a meal-prep jarred salad eaten at the office ($14). The mason jar is filled with quinoa, pickled daikon, arugula, and a coconut-peanut dressing.

1001 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20004

Visit Website

China Chilcano

418 7th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20004

Good quality raw fish doesn’t need much help in order to impress. The classic ceviche at China Chilcano features red snapper dressed with simple accoutrements: leche de tigre, sweet potato, red onion, cancha, and cilantro ($14).

418 7th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20004

Visit Website

Choolaah Indian BBQ

2918 District Ave, Fairfax, VA 22031

This Ohio-based, fast-casual Indian concept recently arrived in town, bringing with it tandoor-cooked proteins, naan, and biryanis, along with a selection of accompanying daals and masalas. Their street snacks menu includes pav bhaji, a hearty vegetable curry from Mumbai served on a toasted bun ($6.99). The curry is packed cauliflower, peas, potatoes, peppers, onion, ginger, garlic, lemon, and cilantro.

Open in Google Maps

2918 District Ave, Fairfax, VA 22031

Visit Website

The Dabney

122 Blagden Alley NW, Washington, D.C. 20001

Chef Jeremiah Langhorne always gives vegetables the love they deserve, and the lowly carrot is no exception. His ember-roasted carrots are enhanced by whipped ricotta, sumac, fried garlic, and spicebush ($14).

122 Blagden Alley NW, Washington, D.C. 20001

Visit Website

Equinox

818 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20006

Salmon is an excellent source of protein and omega-3 fatty acids, so it makes for a guilt-free beef substitute in a burger. Equinox’s Fennel Spiced Salmon Burger comes with mustard aioli on grilled brioche ($20). Even the side gets a nutritional boost courtesy of sweet potato chips.

818 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20006

Visit Website

Fare Well

406 H St NE, Washington, D.C. 20002

Dairy-free burrata seems like an impossible feat, but not when it’s in the hands of vegan magician Doron Petersan. The burrata at Fare Well is made with cashews and almonds, and gussied up with arugula pesto, balsamic marinated tomatoes, arugula, capers, and a toasted baguette ($16).

406 H St NE, Washington, D.C. 20002

Visit Website

Firefly

1310 New Hampshire Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20004

Nutrient-filled acorn squash gets the sweet treatment at Firefly ($20). It’s served with steel-cut oatmeal pilaf, collard greens, Fuji apple, maple syrup, and pine nut gremolata.

1310 New Hampshire Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20004

Visit Website

Garrison

524 8th St SE, Washington, D.C. 20003

Garrison gives beef tartare an upgrade by swapping in a leaner, more salubrious protein: bison. The Virginia Bison Tartare is served with brioche and a quail egg ($17).

524 8th St SE, Washington, D.C. 20003

Visit Website

honeygrow

716 7th St NW, Washington, DC 20001

Health-conscious diners can even enjoy dessert, if the treat isn’t laden with excess sugar. Fast-casual Honeygrow offers honeybars, which are kind of like fruit sundaes ($5.45). Start with a choice of three fresh fruits (think: strawberries, blueberries, pineapples, apples, and bananas), garnish with honey or maple syrup, and complete with two toppings (coconut shavings, dark chocolate chips, granola, or plain yogurt).

Open in Google Maps

716 7th St NW, Washington, DC 20001

Logan Tavern

1423 P St NW, Washington, D.C. 20005

Logan Tavern also relies on bison meat to give its burger some added health benefits. The bison burger is topped with arugula, caramelized onions, and cherry tomatoes on a brioche bun ($17.50). Get sautéed greens on the side instead of fries for even more brownie points.

1423 P St NW, Washington, D.C. 20005

Visit Website

Maketto

1351 H St NE, Washington, D.C. 20002

Maketto turns hearty winter vegetables into a delicate and bright salad ($12). The dish features white-miso tofu hummus, salt-roasted root vegetables, and winter greens lightly seasoned with yuzu and olive oil, garnished with toasted rice powder.

1351 H St NE, Washington, D.C. 20002

Visit Website

NoPa Kitchen + Bar

800 F St NW, Washington, D.C. 20004

Nopa lets nature’s noodle stand in for high-carb pasta. The crispy chicken roulade comes with spaghetti squash, purple barley, guanciale, and sage jus ($26).

800 F St NW, Washington, D.C. 20004

Visit Website

Restaurant Eve

110 S Pitt St, Alexandria, VA 22314

Get a hefty dose of omega-3s from four types of seafood folded into the Basque-style stew at Restaurant Eve ($29). The winter warmer features Chesapeake Bay prawns, rockfish, clams, and mussels, as well as linguiça sausage, potatoes, fennel, parsley, garlic, rosemary, and saffron.

110 S Pitt St, Alexandria, VA 22314

Visit Website

Related Maps

Room 11

3234 11th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20010

Room 11’s Harissa Chicken packs a punch of protein and nutrients ($17). The boneless chicken thigh is served with chickpea masala, coconut milk, baby broccoli, and eggplant.

3234 11th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20010

Visit Website

The Royal

501 Florida Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20001

Grilled avocado may not sound like much, but the simplicity is the key to its success ($11). The Royal’s dish relies on the creamy flavor of the avocado, which is even more satisfying once it gets a little char from the grill. The heart-healthy fruit sits on top of red quinoa and lentils with house vinaigrette.

501 Florida Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20001

Visit Website