Anyone else having trouble fitting into their jeans today? I’m with you. Sure you can commit to that gym (again), but we all know our meals have to change to fit into our favorite pants post Christmas. To make your 2015 resolutions a little easier, here’s our picks for the healthiest dishes in town, no dishes or grocery shopping required!

Duffy’s Sports Grill:

• When ordered with a green side salad, each option below is less than 580 calories. Plus on Mondays entrées are $12.95 after 5 p.m.
• Sesame-Crusted Ahi Tuna: Seasoned, coated with sesame seeds and seared in sesame oil; served with cucumber salad and Soba noodles with Asian dressing.
• Korean Beef Tenderloin Mini-Tacos: Cilantro-onion relish and a spicy chili garlic sauce.
• Black Bean Veggie-Burger: Topped with sliced avocado, whole wheat bun and side of cilantro-cream sauce.

Cocina 214:

• Serving up several dishes that meet Florida Hospital’s Healthy 100 approved criteria, to see the hospital’s complete set of guidelines click here.
• Don Carlos Tacos – Blackened fish tacos, coastal slaw and citrus dressing. Ask for extra lime for a quick burst of flavor sans calories!

Yard House:

• Look for the “U” symbol next to menu items for dishes less than 600 calories. We’d try these dishes regardless of the calories, each are equally tasty.
• Ahi Sashimi – Seared rare, blackened, soy vinaigrette, wasabi and pickled ginger.
• California Roll – Snow crab, cucumber, tobiko, avocado, wasabi soy sauce. Not your typical roll that’s sliced, this item comes in one round mound that’s fun and tasty to enjoy. If you’re adverse to masago (like me) ask for it on the side, there’s a heavy coat of it on the top.
• Pear and Gorgonzola Flatbread – Crunchy, savory and sweet, this flatbread will make you feel like you’re indulging, but it meets the under 600 criteria. It’s almost as satisfying as eating a pizza. Almost.
• Skinny Margarita – 1800 silver tequila, fresh lime, made with their house citrus agave blend, all for under 200 calories. Best skinny marg we’ve ever tasted! Ask for salt if you want it rimmed, this drink typically comes without the salty goodness.

Mediterranean Blue:

• Located in an unlikely Sodo corner, this little Greek joint is serving up authentic fare daily.
• Large Greek Salad: Bed of romaine lettuce, topped with Roma tomatoes, radishes, red onion, cucumber, feta, pepperoncini, Kalamata olives and served with their house-made dressing. Add chicken for extra protein and you’ll be satisfied after crunching into this abundant salad.

Hawkers Asian Street Fare:

• A restaurant full of shareable small plates, there’s plenty of options for a smaller, yet satisfying meal.
• Lettuce Wraps – Stir-fried shiitake mushrooms, water chestnuts, carrots, bean curd, garlic and ginger with your choice of protein.
• Grilled Hawker Skewers – Authentic and delicious, the skewers are cooked over real wood charcoal to give them a true smoky flavor that can’t come from a gas grill.

See? Fitting back into your jeans can be tasty. Let the resolutions begin (insert heavy sigh here).

Photo Credits: Hawker’s, FoodSpotting.com (Yard House), all other images taken by Spork.

I know people say this every year, but it’s hard to believe how quickly 2014 has passed. 2014 was an exceptionally big year for our little town with the addition of new restaurants, the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts Center and a myriad of updates to tourist land. We certainly aren’t lack in New Year’s celebrations either, here’s our top picks for places to welcome 2015, cheers!

American Gymkhana:

• 5:00-8:30 p.m. – Full a la carte menu
• 9:00-2:00 a.m. – A DJ will mix today’s best hits for revelers to enjoy a the Hunter’s Cocktail Lounge where there will be a premium open bar, passed hors d’oeuvres and a variety of food stations. A champagne toast will occur at midnight. Children that attend will celebrate in a private room for the evening and have entertainment. $135 per person | $65 Kids under 13

Soco:

• Special NYE menu with four courses, $75 per person, includes two glasses of champagne.
• Course One: Choice of Hudson Valley Foie Gras Torchon House Preserves, Toasted Baguette or Handmade Pink Eye Pea Tortellini Fresh Hearts of Palm, Heirloom Tomato Butter
• Course Two: Choice of Creamy Blue Crab Chowder or Grilled Asparagus, Shaved Truffle, Aged Parmesan
• Course Three: Choice of Grilled Carolina Monkfish Aged Cheddar Grits, Charred Brussels Sprouts, Florida Paddlefish Caviar or Pecan Crusted Elk Chop, Goat Cheese Macaroni, Local Mushroom-Cabernet Jus
• Course Four: Choice of Cap’n Crunch Crème Brulee Strawberry-Champagne Reduction Sauce or Chocolate S’more Tart Swiss Chocolate, Toasted House Marshmallow, Fresh Graham Cookie.

Santiago’s Bodega:

• Offering two seatings for a special dinner buffet including Prime Rib, Snow Crab, Cocktails and more. $99.00 per person, tax and tip included.

Norman’s at The Ritz-Carlton:

• Ring in 2015 with a festive four-course menu and an extensive wine list. First seating 5 p.m., Second seating 9:30 p.m. $175 Adults, $75 Children 12 & under.

American Q: 

• Four course meal, $60 and includes champagne toast at midnight, NYE meal available from 5:00 pm – midnight. Click here for full menu including Grand Marnier Chocolate Lava Cake!

Taverna Opa:

• For $125 per person (tax and gratuity not included), receive a four-course dinner with dishes ranging from Dolmades and Spanakopita to 36-hour Marinated Lamb Chops. Before the clock strikes midnight, each guest will receive a glass of champagne for a New Year’s toast. Prepaid reservations can be made via email at eatgreek@opaorlando.com or phone at 407.351.8660. Due to limited seating, reservations are required.

Here’s to a joyful 2015!

Photo Credit: American Gymkhana

Barnie’s CoffeeKitchen, is naming December 22 Santa’s White Christmas Day, the first ever day of appreciation for America’s favorite flavored Christmas coffee.

“Santa’s White Christmas Day is a holiday celebration for coffee lovers everywhere,” said Jonathan Smiga, CEO of Barnie’s CoffeeKitchen. “Barnie’s CoffeeKitchen is thrilled to celebrate the cultural significance of Santa’s White Christmas coffee, as nearly two decades of holiday tradition have included Santa’s White Christmas coffee. From coast to coast, we’ve heard people share their stories of holiday cheer around this perennial favorite and now Santa’s White Christmas coffee gets the appreciation it deserves.”

Flavors of coconut, nuts, sweet caramel, vanilla and other proprietary flavors create a taste profile that is smooth, rich and wonderful. Here’s how they’re celebrating!

• Free Coffee! On Monday guests at Barnie’s CoffeeKitchen cafes who say “Happy Santa’s White Christmas Day” when ordering will receive a free cup of Santa’s White Christmas coffee. To celebrate the season, bags of Santa’s White Christmas coffee will be 22% off for one day only.

• The entire Santa’s White Christmas Boutique on BarniesCoffeeKitchen.com will be 22% off with free shipping on orders of $50 or more on this one-day special shopping event.

Happy {free} caffeinating!

Images provided by Barnie’s CoffeeKitchen