Torrance, California, and its surrounding Beach Cities and Long Beach areas, offer a diverse culinary scene with a growing emphasis on healthy dining options. Whether you're a local resident or a visitor, finding restaurants that prioritize fresh, sustainable ingredients and offer nutritious choices is becoming increasingly important. This article explores some of the top healthy restaurants in the Torrance area, highlighting their cuisines, specialties, and commitment to providing delicious and health-conscious meals.
Farm-to-Table Freshness: Hook & Plow
The farm-to-table movement emphasizes sourcing locally produced food and delivering the freshest product to the consumer. Hook & Plow embodies this philosophy, believing that food directly from the source yields a fresher and tastier product. Their menu focuses on the delights that California offers, including fresh seafood and seasonal farm fare. The restaurant strives to be sustainable, organic, and healthy while staying true to its California roots. This commitment is reflected in their dishes, which are prepared with a focus on maximizing flavor and nutritional value.
Teppanyaki with a Twist: Benihana
Benihana offers a unique dining experience where guests are seated at communal tables and entertained by a personal chef performing the art of Teppanyaki. While known for its entertainment value, Benihana also provides options for healthy dining. Guests can choose from mouth-watering steak, tender chicken, or succulent seafood, all prepared with fresh ingredients. The restaurant also offers sushi and specialty cocktails, making it a versatile choice for different tastes.
Benihana's new loyalty program, Friends With Benefits, offers instant member status and a free appetizer reward, adding value to the dining experience.
Innovative Mexican Cuisine: Vida Modern Mexican + Tequila
Vida Modern Mexican + Tequila offers a variety of healthy dishes, praised by customers for its innovative and fresh Mexican cuisine. The restaurant is committed to using high-quality ingredients and offers a notable selection of vegetarian options. Dishes like gourmet tacos and fresh guacamole showcase the restaurant's creativity and dedication to providing flavorful and nutritious meals.
Read also: Healthy food access with Highmark Wholecare explained.
American Gastropub Fare: The Rockefeller (Redondo & Hermosa Beach)
The Rockefeller, with locations in Redondo Beach and Hermosa Beach, has been a South Bay favorite since 2011. This gastropub offers traditional American cuisine in a casual yet sophisticated environment. While known for its Bottomless Mimosa Brunches, The Rockefeller also provides options for health-conscious diners. The restaurant offers catering services for parties and special occasions and provides a welcoming atmosphere with wheelchair accessibility, outdoor seating, and free Wi-Fi.
Seafood Delights with a Sustainable Approach: Bluewater Grill
Bluewater Grill is a seafood restaurant and oyster bar that serves fresh, delicious entrees. The establishment has won numerous awards since its creation. Bluewater Grill adheres to a strict set of criteria when selecting fish and ingredients, ensuring that what makes it to each plate is as healthy and fresh as possible. The owners emphasize environmental responsibility and the sustainability of the fish's ecosystem. Guests can enjoy meals such as sea bon bons, New England clam chowder, fresh fish, Wagyu beef burgers, Alaskan king crab legs, and lobster tails, along with alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
Authentic Japanese Dining: Shin-Sen-Gumi Shabu-Shabu
Shin-Sen-Gumi Shabu-Shabu offers an authentic Japanese dining experience, certified by JETRO (Japanese External Trade Organization). The restaurant uses authentic Japanese products, from ingredients to drinks. Customers can choose from various broths, meats, add-ons, and vegetables included in the AYCE (all-you-can-eat) price. Premium à la carte options such as Kobe Style Beef, Japanese Wagyu Slices, and Kagoshima Premium A5 Wagyu are also available.
Shin-Sen-Gumi Shabu-Shabu also offers a summer-only Student Special Price Event, providing discounted AYCE prices for students with a valid ID.
Mediterranean Flavors: The Green Olive Restaurant & Catering
The Green Olive Restaurant & Catering offers fresh and healthy Mediterranean cuisine. Their passion starts with carefully measured and mixed seasonings, ensuring a well-rounded blend of flavors. Founded in 2002, The Green Olive uses only the freshest ingredients to achieve a unique authentic Mediterranean and Middle East flavor. The restaurant offers a large selection of marinated meats, including steak, ground beef, chicken, lamb, salmon, shrimp, and gyro. Salads such as fattoushe, tabouli, Greek, and grilled vegetable cater to vegan patrons. Popular dishes include chicken kabobs, chicken shawarma, beef kabobs, and shrimp kabobs, as well as the blended beef and lamb gyro.
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The Green Olive also provides catering services, with specialists available to assist in creating a Mediterranean feast for special occasions. In 2016, they acquired an event venue adjacent to their Rancho Dominguez restaurant, accommodating up to 100 guests.
Other Healthy Options and Considerations
Kabob Plates
Several restaurants in the area offer kabob plates with options like chicken, beef, shrimp, salmon, and kafta. Pita wraps and flatbread gyro wraps provide lighter meal options.
Addressing Dietary Concerns
Restaurants are generally accommodating to dietary needs. For example, The Green Olive provides information on allergens and can adjust meals accordingly.
Online Ordering and Mobile Apps
Many restaurants offer online ordering and mobile apps for convenience. However, some users have reported issues with redeeming offers in mobile apps.
Read also: Mobile Dining Revolution
tags: #healthy #restaurants #Torrance #CA