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Winter is (hopefully) coming to end soon and time will spring forward this coming Saturday evening which means a few things for us Dallasites – spring and patio weather is on the horizon. Before you know it, men, women, boys and girls will come out of hibernation and hit patios all around the city in cute warm-weather outfits searching for the next best restaurant. Typically, people tend to eat lighter meal and smaller portions in the warmer months. Rich, hearty comfort food, while yummy, tend to weigh the body/belly down, cause food comas and can overall be a huge downer to day drinking. Could be….might be….a coincidence, but some local restaurants have taken notice of this and have introduced lighter/healthier options on their menus. Take a look at the changes below!
Del Taco
New to Del Taco this week is the Epic Surf & Turf Burrito. The burrito is loaded with crispy golden shrimp, freshly grilled carne asada steak, lime rice, crunchy cabbage and topped with creamy ancho sauce, freshly chopped pico de gallo salsa and Del Tacos secret sauce. Grab this burrito for $5.29 or at $6.79 as a combo meal.
Firehouse Subs
It’s always difficult to eat “healthy” or “lite” in a sandwich shop without it being sauce-less, bread-less and probably taste-less, which is why the Sorenson family at Firehouse Subs is doing it their way. The sub shop recently introduced six subs and four salads that are all under 500 calories, barely under 500 calories, but we can give them an “A” for effort. For regulars who are watching their figure, the Hook & Ladder should be a good 450-calorie alternative the sandwich. Other tasty low-cal sammies include Sricraha Beef, Turkey Cranberry and Momma’s Homemade Chicken Salad and all of the lighter options come on a light wheat roll with lettuce, tomato, onion and some sort of dressing. For those searching for a low-cal and low-carb lunch, the salads might be your best choice, full of veggies, packed with flavor for as little as 240 calories. Starting at $5.45, these new options are sure to be figure and wallet friendly!
Grand Luxe Cafe
While standing at the hostess booth, a photograph of a HUGE stack of pancakes dripping with syrup and pecans caught my eye. “Wait, does Grand Luxe Cafe have brunch?” I asked the hostess. I was surprised to hear that they indeed starting offering a weekend brunch menu at the end of 2013. Besides Dream Cafe, The Social House and the ever-popular Blue Mesa, there are not many brunch options in North Dallas as they are in Uptown, Downtown and well anything south of 635. Quickly I turned through the book-like menu to see what delicious items they had available to find they had typical brunch entrees: Huevos Rancheros, Red Velvet Pancakes, Chicken & Waffles, omlettes and a la carte items. The only thing that appeared to differentiate them from the brunch bunch is the “The Best Eggs Benedict with Ham & Hollandaise.” Of course, alcoholic brunch beverages are offered as well. I’ll be trying out this brunch next Saturday to see if the photo was really worth the hype. You can check out the brunch menu here!
Houlihan’s
Back to our lighter fare options, this week, Houlihans Restaurants also unveiled a new spring line-up that are each under 600 calories. The new menu features three entrees, two desserts and two cocktails giving their calorie-counting customers options that are flavorful without the fat. Lemon & Herb Grilled Chicken which features Tuscan white beans, organic kale-spinach-chard blend, roasted artichokes, tomatoes and the Miso Grilled Salmon over stir-fried quinoa with steamed edamame, house-pickled cucumber and shaoxing sauce are just some of the entrees diners can order. To finish it off and wash it down, Houlihan’s provides light desserts and cocktails made with fresh ingredients like the Chocolate Mousse with raspberries or maybe the Cabo Wabo Blanco Tequila, Malibu coconut rum, fresh basil and a splash of sour will give you the kick you need. There are only four Houlian’s DFW metroplex: Addison/North Dallas, Garland and Fort Worth and Arlington for our Tarrant County friends. To learn more, visit the eats & drinks section on their website.
NYLO Dallas Southside Hotel
Unless they closed in one of the best and most photographic views of Downtown Dallas, Terrace Bistro and the rooftop SODA bar at the NYLO Dallas Hotel will continue to be a popular spot this spring and summer. Luis Dominquez, executive chef at the hotel, believes their menu changes are sure to be bring back diners who are looking for something unique to sink their teeth into. Some of the new additions include a Grilled Portabella Sandwich, served on sourdough with red bell peppers, onions, spinach, buffalo mozzarella, and basil pesto; Fried Devil Eggs with bacon, truffle oil and chives; Shrimp Nachos with queso al fresca, black beans, and guacamole; Pork Chop topped with a pomegranate glaze and served with mashed potatoes and mixed vegetables; Sea Bass with Swiss chard and pineapple reduction; Molten Chocolate Cake and much more. Happy hour specials are available, including half-priced food all day on Tuesdays. Whether you’re a business person looking for a great meal after a long day in a downtown office or a tourist visiting the city and searching for a “neat and chic” spot, NYLO may be a good solution.
We were not compensated for this review. These are just a few of the menu changes we’ve heard about and should keep you busy at least until April. Enjoy!
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