Healthy and hearty eating in Orlando

With over 5,000 restaurants in Orlando, it’s pretty easy to escape the fast food frenzy and avoid overpriced theme park food. It’s even possible to find affordable world-class restaurants, catering to a health conscious society. Two restaurants serving up low calorie feasts without compromising taste are mentioned below.

Seasons 52 (7700 Sand Lake Road): Orlando is the birthplace of a relatively new restaurant concept — seasonally-inspired healthy dining that changes with the products available during particular seasons. Season’s 52 caters to both the taste and calorie conscious with all menu items under 475 calories, including caramelized sea scallops, garlic chicken flatbread, roasted crab-stuffed shrimp, ripe plum tomato flatbread, and the char-crust filet mignon. Plates are robust with flavor and presentation; and don’t expect small portions. The restaurant itself is intimate and casually elegant. The mini-indulgences at the end of the meal (small desserts in shot glasses) are heavenly. Seasons 52 is less than a ten minute drive from The Peabody Orlando.

Shari Sushi Lounge (621 East Central Boulevard): Removed from the ostentatious settings of Lake Buena Vista and Kissimmee, Shari is tucked into a small corner of historic downtown Orlando among historical homes. One of the hottest and sexiest restaurants in Orlando, Shari draws a young and fabulous clientele with its sushi rolls and sashimi specialties, both masterpieces of taste and sight. The enormous menu is a bit overwhelming, but the original Shari Roll is still the best. Their ginger dressing is my favorite outside of Japan; their desserts keep me scraping the plate even when none is left (and sometimes even licking it). Shari is located less than one mile from the Marriott World Center Resort.

– Paul Rubio

Photo courtesy of Seasons 52

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