Jen Utley’s Favorite (Healthy!) Philly Restaurant
Philly is a restaurant town, so it’s impossible to live in city society without spending some of your time dining out. If you are like me and don’t want to throw out your healthy diet every time you head out for a bite, it helps to have a lineup of healthier restaurant suggestions on hand. While I do believe you can find healthier options in most restaurants, here is a quick guide to the city’s healthiest dining choices taken from some of my notable clients and coaches at Fusion Cross-training’s Philly studio.
Jen Utley
Morimoto, 723 Chestnut Street
The highest standard in Japanese food and sushi in Philadelphia—along with ultra-modern décor—Morimoto is a great place to go when you want to impress. What does Jen love? “The salmon sashimi, himachi tiradito, and the calamari salad,” and Chase gets “tons of sushi. Mainly tuna, salmon, and yellow tail,” says Jen.
Justin Pizzi, NBC Reporter
Fuel, 1917 East Passyunk Avenue
A casual joint that’s super-good for you: Every menu item is under 500 calories and made fresh. “The arugula salad with tuna and lemon vinaigrette is amazing,” says Pizzi. “But so is everything.“
Nicole Michalik, Biggest Loser and Q102’s Web Chic
Seasons 52, King of Prussia and Cherry Hill Malls
What does Nicole like here? “Everything! Nothing is over 475 calories,” she says. “My favorites are edamame with green tea salt Maui crunch salad and chocolate peanut butter mouse. I live in the city, but I’ll happily drive out to get my Seasons52 on.”
Jesse Frank, Fusion Cross-training Personal Coach & Nutritionist
Mi Lah Vegetarian , 218 South 16th Street at Chancellor Street
“I’ve taken meat lovers here and they loved it,” says Frank. “For brunch I recommend the veggie sausage and avocado on oven-fresh biscuits in mushroom gravy with sweet potato fries. Be sure to try their miso kale. For dinner their Thai yellow curry with seitan, pineapple, fingerling potatoes, tomatoes, and green beans rocks!”
Jesse Frank
Gavin McKay is the owner and creator of Fusion Cross-training with locations in Center City, Philadelphia and Mt. Laurel, New Jersey. He’ll be sharing his fitness tips and advice weekly on Be Well Philly. Read more about Gavin and his role at Be Well Philly here.
