Healthy dinner options? (TriBeCa, West Village, Chelsea, UWS)

[Jivetalker]

Hi all,

I have a date tomorrow night and she's trying to eat really healthy these days (which eliminates favorities of mine like The Redhead). Think: simple grilled fish and greens. We'd like to go out in TriBeCa, the West Village, Chelsea or the UWS (in that order). A place like Westville would probably be perfect but I'd love some backup options (EN Japanese Brasserie may fit the bill). In terms of price, we're not looking for anyplace super formal (think $$ or $$$ but not $$$$). Does anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks in advance!

[kathryn]

In the West Village I'd look at Mas Grillade, Pearl Oyster Bar, maybe Tertulia's grilled trout.

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Pearl Oyster Bar
18 Cornelia St, New York, NY 10014

Tertulia
359 6th Ave, New York, NY 10011

Mas (La Grillade)
28 7th Ave S, New York, NY 10014

[Jivetalker]

Thanks, Kathryn. I'll look def look into that. Also on my radar: Home and Barbuto.

[sgordon]

I think the bigger problem will be getting a reservation at decent place on a Saturday night on such short notice...

Going through Opentable's openings, I see...

...in Tribeca:

Marc Forgione - great place, hearty and seasonal with both heavy and light options. I see three different fish preps for entrees currently, the Char in Honeycrisp Apple "tea" looking the lightest. Also a couple of fish / veggie appetizers that would fit her needs. Probably the most romantic / cozy (but still kind of fun & neighborhoody) of the options I've listed.

Centrico - not as bustling as it used to be, but still a solid place. Usually a number of fish preps, and because it's Mexican the sauces tend to be more along the lines of salsas, rather than butter-based.

Mehtaphor - playful & fun food, mostly small plates, and not too expensive - everything on the menu is nine, twelve or seventeen dollars as I recall. Also has a full vegetarian menu in addition to the regular one. Dishes tend to be light and bright.

...in the West Village:

Empellon - modern Mexican, less formal that Centrico, lots of fish & veggie options.

Smorgas Chef - casual Scandinavian, usually at least three fish options for mains, and of course gravlax & herring (which is super-healthy & full of those good Omega-3s we keep hearing about) for starters. Of course, while herring may be good for your health it's NOT particularly good for making out with your date after dinner. (Unless you share it, then who cares?)

...and many options for further uptown, but since your preference seems to be below 14th St, we'll stick to that for now...

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Smorgas Chef
283 West 12th Street, New York, NY 10014

Marc Forgione
134 Reade Street, New York, NY 10013

Centrico
211 West Broadway, New York, NY 10013

Mehtaphor
130 Duane St, New York, NY 10007

Empellon Taqueria
230 W 4th St, New York, NY 10014

[Jivetalker]

So I'd decided on a simple plan: Westville and, if the wait is particularly obnixius, then Home. After reading sgordon's response, I may have to consider. I'd forgot about Empellon, I've wanted to try it for awhile (for its cocktails as much as the food). And I'll look into those TriBeCa options. Thanks again. You guys rock.

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Westville
210 W 10th St, New York, NY 10014

Home
20 Cornelia St, New York, NY 10014

[sgordon]

I'd just say - never hurts to have a reservation for a Saturday night date. Unless you've been together awhile, wandering around aimlessly only to get turned down at one place after another can cast a pall over the evening. Having things run smooth is always a plus.