Best Atlanta Steakhouses for Keeping Resolutions

Now that the holidays are in the rearview mirror, it’s an apt time to honor those resolutions and start eating light. At least for the next few weeks, before we forget all about that stuff. For now, though, Atlanta steakhouses have more than enough dining options to help you keep it light in the new year. From vibrant salads to pristine seafood, here are some of the best steakhouses in town for dining with a diet in mind.

 

Chops Lobster Bar
Chops Lobster Bar

STK: This sexy, stylish steakhouse has a particular penchant for fresh and light. In addition to offering lots of smaller portion sizes, including small steaks and sliders, the restaurant features some impressive salads and shareable plates. Like the roasted baby beet salad with whipped fresh ricotta, pickled fresno chilies and pumpernickel crisps. Or the colorful field greens salad with roasted corn, shaved zucchini, cilantro and preserved lemon vinaigrette. Or the PEI mussels in roasted tomato and leek broth. 

Chops Lobster Bar: As the name might suggest, seafood is the forte at Chops Lobster Bar. And there’s quite an abundance of the fresh stuff, from chili-glazed tiger shrimp and tuna tartare to raw oysters, grilled Scottish salmon and horseradish-crusted black grouper with Tuscan kale and pink grapefruit emulsion. There’s even a combo plate, a veritable surf & surf, that pairs Panama sea bass and Norwegian salmon with sesame soy broth, ginger, spinach and steamed rice. 

101 Steak: If oysters are broiled and topped with kale, they’re basically health food, right? Regardless of the accompanying pancetta and Tomme cheese. In general, 101 Steak does a nice job with balance, frequently using fresh, seasonal greens to level things out without being too rich or indulgent. Same is true of the housemade Burrata, which comes with heirloom tomatoes and kale pesto, and the sea salted beet salad with chevre, toasted pistachios, arugula and fig balsamic, or the Berkshire pork chop heaped with collard greens. 

McKendrick’s: This classic steakhouse has a knack for punching up flavors without overdoing it. For instance, they smoke tomatoes and serve them with barbecued jumbo shrimp and barbecue sauce as a way to amp up fragrance and flavor without making it all too rich or deep-fried. Same with the baked oysters, which arrive with a fondue of blue cheese and leeks. And tuna tartare with a silky wasabi cream. Even a lettuce salad gets an exciting upgrade, thanks to the addition of Asian pears, spicy walnuts and a grainy mustard vinaigrette. 

Davio’s Northern Italian Steakhouse: Italian-accented restaurants may not seem like the most obvious destination when it comes to eating light, but Davio’s is a far cry from the stereotypical red sauce haunt. Rather, this sleek steakhouse features clean, bracing flavors served up in elegant preparations. From the light and fluffy potato gnocchi with white truffle oil and basil to the roasted tomato soup with goat cheese chive crostini, there are lots of unique options to choose from. For something heartier, opt for the seared Atlantic salmon with baby spinach and warm eggplant caponata. 

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