Yay! It’s LA Restaurant Week! Time to save while enjoying the pricey hot spots. I recommend going for lunch for several reasons. While the $16, 22 or 28 price tag is more than many would typically drop on lunch, it’s still less expensive than the dinners, which are $26, 34, or 44. Secondly, the lunches are overall a little lighter in terms of fat, sodium and calories. Lastly, it’s still an indulgent 3 course meal! Better to enjoy it midday than pack it in at dinner a few hours before you hit the pillow. You’ll have more time to burn off the calories.

Frequently, pre fixe menus scare or derail devoted dieters, myself included! However, we’re listing some of the healthier menus in West Hollywood and Beverly Hills. Stick with the cleaner choices noted, the rules below and you’ll have earned that dessert!

Remember these rules to stay on track during LA Restaurant Week and dining out anytime!

1.   Ask the bread basket to stay away from your table, or at least out of your reach if others require it.
2.   Avoid pasta dishes. Unless noted, and I haven’t seen any, no one is serving gluten free pasta. If it’s a starter, the pasta is usually a small amount of the dish. Request more of the veggies in the dish in place of the pasta. Fein an allergy if you meet resistance from your server.
3.   Salads are a great choice and these places are making exquisite combinations! Hold the croutons and request your dressing on the side. Light vinaigrette is best. Avoid fat free options as they usually have more sugar and salt added to make up for flavor lost when fat is fully removed. Use a tablespoon and add extra lemon juice or vinegar if you need more moisture.
See blog: Salad Dressing Alternatives
4.   Few can say no to cheese. Keep it light and quality. Feta, goat cheese and blue have the most bang for the caloric buck, so even a tablespoon delivers extreme flavor.
5.   Choose brown rice vs. white rice in sushi and ethic foods. See blog: Sushi: Avoiding Unhealthy Hiccups
6.   With saucy meat dishes, ask for a side of veggies, like raw spinach or steamed broccoli. Use veggies like rice to sop up that amazing sauce! See blog: Go Asian! Reducing Carbs, Fat and Sodium

LUCQUES, 8474 Melrose Ave, West Hollywood, $28

1st All are great options! Just remember your rules: WINTER GREENS, PECORINO PISTOU – hold the crostini!
GREEN GODDESS SALAD WITH BUTTER LETTUCES, RADISHES AND ORO BLANCO GRAPEFRUIT
BELUGA LENTIL SALAD WITH SHAVED BEETS, AVOCADO AND FENUGREEK YOGURT
2nd GRILLED CHICKEN WITH SOFT POLENTA, WILTED KALE, MUSTARD CRÈME FRAÎCHE AND FRESH HORSERADISH
3rd SEASONAL SORBET – hold the butter cookies!

AGO, 8474 Melrose Ave, West Hollywood, $28

1st POLIPO CON PATATE E FAGIOLINI – GRILLED OCTOPUS WITH POTATOES AND STRING BEANS – hold the pasta, ask if you can enjoy extra string beans instead
or INSALATA DI CAMPO – SPRING MIX SALAD, TOMATO WEDGES, SHAVED PARMESAN CHEESE
2nd PAILLARD DI POLLO – POUNDED GRILLED BREAST OF CHICKEN TOPPED WITH ARUGULA SALAD AND MARINATED DICED TOMATOES
3rd SORBETTI DI FRUTTA – ASSORTED SELECTION OF CITRUS SORBETS

FIG & OLIVE, 8490 Melrose Place
West Hollywood, $28

1st YELLOW FIN TUNA CARPACCIO – Tuna, balsamic vinegar, cilantro, arugula, tomato, marcona almond – Toasted Sesame Oil
or SEA SCALLOPS & TRUFFLE ARTICHOKE TAPENADE
Seared sea scallops, truffle artichoke, arugula, pine nuts with aged balsamic White Truffle Olive Oil
2nd GRILLED THYME CHICKEN PAILLARD
Free range marinated chicken breast with lemon thyme, arugula, spinach brussel sprout, pickled red onion, tomato, haricot vert, almond, bell pepper, caper, lemon – Picholine Olive Oil
or TRIO DE LA MER BOUILLABAISSE – Grilled scallop, lemon sole, striped bass, côte d’ azur fish soup, shaved fennel, saffron garlic aioli
or if you’re dying for the ROSEMARY LAMB CHOPS, ask for more eggplant instead of the gnocchi
3rd Either dessert works so long as you avoid the crostini.

SPAGO, 176 N. Canon Dr.
Beverly Hills, CA 90210, $28

1st CELERY ROOT AND APPLE SOUP
Bacon Confit, Roasted Apples and Wild Mushrooms
2nd STEAMED SCOTTISH SALMON HONG KONG STYLE
Stir Fried Bok Choy, Lotus Root, Snap Peas and Jasmine Rice
3rd Boo…hasn’t been posted, but I’m optimistic.