Delicious, nutritious options are plentiful
By Shayna Greene
A variety of eateries are flourishing throughout Port Washington. All over our quaint North Shore town is cuisine from around the world. You can go out for Italian food, head to a burger place or change it up with Mediterranean or Indian fare. One particular venue on Port Washington Boulevard combines Thai, Japanese and Chinese dishes in its everyday menu. What do all these enticing establishments have in common? They all have healthy eating as their goal. These restaurants have made it their mission to provide appetizing yet nutritional meals. This way, you can enjoy the food everybody loves without any of the regret.
Bareburger
What began as an idea to create a healthier, more delicious burger in a small Brooklyn bar has become a 23-venue business. Bareburger allows diners to be nutritionally conscious while still experiencing a surplus of flavor. The nutritious menu with vegetarian and gluten-free options enables patrons to build their meal from the Guapo Chop salad to the Hot Honey Milkshake. There are half a dozen salads to choose from, which can be customized from a long list of proteins, including beef, turkey, elk, wild boar, duck, bison, chicken, black beans, quinoa or sweet potato and wild rice. The burgers themselves are made from the plethora of delicious alternatives mentioned above and can be wrapped in a variety of buns from traditional brioche to gluten-free tapioca rice to carb-free collard greens. Duck bacon is available as a topping, but so is vegan cheddar and an extensive selection of vegetables, including alfalfa sprouts, spinach, pickled jalapeños, wild mushrooms and chickpea onions, not to mention tomato-fig jam spread.
Bareburger is located at 42 Main Street; www.bareburger.com; 516-708-9920.
Organico Ristorante
Seven years ago, a healthy living foodie and a successful restaurant owner had a discussion about everyone’s favorite topic—food. They talked about their respective interests and created the fresh Italian-style eatery, Organico Ristorante. Those two men were Bill Beach and Pat Pasqual. Last August, they opened and have combined all-natural products with rich Italian flavor to create a menu that provides organic pasture-raised, antibiotic- and hormone-free meals for all to explore. Customers can enjoy innovative creations, such as Ahi Tuna Tartare Cucumber Cups, Vegetable Lasagna Roll, Crispy Tofu, New Zealand Grass Fed Lamb Chops or Organic Chicken Parmigiana. Even the pasta is good for you!
Organico Ristorante is located at 75 Main Street; www.organicoristorante.com; 516-883-1401.
Diwan
Enjoy upscale Indian cuisine at Diwan, where the venue is just as tasteful as what’s on the plate. Guests can choose between equally appetizing vegetarian and non-vegetarian menus with interesting twists on classics, such as the Tandoori Vegetable Tower with portobello, cheese, peppers, broccoli and zucchini, Rosemary Naan, Mint Parantha, Lahori Lamb Chops and Chicken Karahi. Whether you’re looking for fine dining or a quick bite to go, Diwan provides the perfect meal. Diners are so pleased with the selection of hearty food that Diwan has started a blog to spread the word about this family-style establishment. There, people can find recipes detailing how to prepare healthy Indian meals.
Diwan is located at 37 Shore Road; www.diwanportwashington.com; 516-439-4200.
Green Leaf
At Green Leaf, Chef Simon provides a variety of Asian cuisine including Thai, Chinese and Japanese dishes with fresh and natural ingredients. Customers have overwhelming options to choose from. In addition to fresh sushi on the Japanese menu, there are plenty of steamed, vegetable and tofu dishes on the Chinese menu. Plus, a Revolution Diet menu is offered, which has been adapted by their diet counselors to avoid oil and MSG, puts an emphasis on serving vegetables al dente and uses bean sprouts instead of rice. Choices include Lemon Flavored Chicken with Broccoli and Bean Sprouts; a Protein Trio of Scallops, Chicken and Baby Shrimp with Snow Peas and Bean Sprouts in Spicy Hunan Sauce; and Buddha Plus Baked Tofu. In case there aren’t enough choices to make your mouth water, a meatless Taste of Zen menu with Veggie Sesame Chicken, Veggie Colossal Shrimp with Honey Walnuts and Broccoli with Veggie Meat is also available.
Green Leaf is located at 376 Port Washington Boulevard; www.greenleafchineserestaurant.com; 516-767-8266.
Bosphorus Café Grill
The family-owned Bosphorus Café Grill is a monument to healthy Mediterranean cuisine. The grand opening in April marked the beginning of this neighborhood-friendly establishment. Chef Paul helps to create a menu that incorporates Turkish traditions and nutritional value. Brunch is served every Sunday and includes the Mediterranean Breakfast Plate, Bosphorus Breakfast Platter and an extensive selection of salads. These delicious dishes display a mixture of fruits and greens while still integrating Turkish flavor. The dinner menu offers an assortment of appetizer platters, salads, seafood and kebobs with yogurt, plus a separate gluten-free menu with a full selection of appetizers, salads and entrées.
Bosphorus Café Grill is at 138 Shore Road; www.bosphoruscafegrill.com; 516-321-9999.
New Garden
New Garden specializes in healthy Southeast Asian and Japanese cuisine in a contemporary and inviting space. This and sophisticated restaurant offers an assortment of sushi and steamed dishes as well as a Healthy Dishes section with options such as Steamed Chicken, Shrimp and Scallops with Mixed Vegetables, individually or combined. More than a dozen choices are available from the vegetable section, including Sautéed Asparagus in White Sauce, Triple Vegetable Delight with Hot Peppers and Peanuts, and General Tso’s Tofu. New Garden has even created a Zen menu of soups, appetizers and main courses, which is completely vegetarian. Prepared low sodium, low cholesterol and without fat, the choices include Moo Shu Fantasia, Sizzling Sensation and Triple Shredded Delight. Many of the chef’s specials are soy or gluten-free.
New Garden is located at 99 Main Street; www.newgardenli.com; 516-883-5460.
