I’ve had many terrific meals at this Rittenhouse hotspot, so I figured it was high time to share a few ordering secrets. It’s obviously a great spot for dinner. But thanks to its proximity to Center City, a.kitchen has become one of my go-tos for work lunches, so this post will mainly focus on the lunch menu. The good news is, portions here are small so you can explore the menu and order one or two plates without being overly full.

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Fresh baby veggies are the hallmark of a healthy meal. // Photo courtesy of Russet

I’ll admit, I’ve avoided spotlighting several of the quaint and fabulous BYOBs this city has to offer, as the ever changing menus seem problematic if I’m to offer you a list of healthy items to choose from. But after a recent dinner at Russet that was to inspired not to share, I figured I would diverge from the usual Cheat Sheet format and just offer some advice on dining here.

First of all, you can’t get much healthier then really great, locally sourced ingredients—so locally sourced, in fact, that the menu changes daily. Yes, daily. After spending a good amount of time speaking with chef/owner Andrew Wood, I realized Russet was an easy place to dine in a healthful way. Sure, I can’t offer you exact menu items, but I can offer these words of advice.

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When I think of fish, I think of Fish—with a capital F. That’s the restaurant that recently moved to 13th and Locust, and it fits the good-for-me bill perfectly. Sure, there are some rich, soulful options if that’s what you’re into, but when it come to fresh, colorful fare they have you more than covered.  The portions are hearty so go ready to share if you really want to dive into the seasonal offerings. The colorful plates and use of produce is a true highlight; I always say the more colorful your food the more nourishing the meal.

Here are my picks:

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A new hot spot in Old City, Reserve is a steakhouse with an old-school feel. Slightly skeptical of the typical steakhouse vibe, I was curious to see how easy it would be to spot the less indulgent items on a menu stocked with beef and potatoes au gratin. Fortunately, the chef is more than willing to accommodate even the pickiest customers, so the options were more plentiful than I expected.

In typical steakhouse fashion, the portions on most dishes are not, should we say, small. Take that into consideration, as an appetizer could easily count as a meal. The house made bread is brought out warm and very inviting, but I promise you this: the rest of your meal will be far more tasty and worth the calories, so skip it.

Here are my picks for Reserve:

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Photograph courtesy of Cashman PR

I’ll be honest, when a reader asked me to do a Cheat Sheet on Lacroix, I was a bit skeptical. I figured that even if a menu item looked healthy at first glance there had to be hidden butter, cream and calories, right? Well, to my delight, I was so wrong, and Lacroix’s nutrition-savvy chef Jonathan Cichon was a delight as we talked about antioxidants and complete proteins. Who would have thought?

So, here are my picks for Lacroix—and FYI, expect the spring menu to boast even lighter options. Cichon also said that with enough notice, his kitchen can pretty much accommodate any requests including raw and vegan meals.

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As a frequent diner of Mexican food establishments, I know all to well how easy it can be to fill up on the chips and guacamole—then overindulge in the food I ordered off the actual menu. The result is a major food coma and not-so-short couch break. This, my friends, does not have to be the case; Distrito, the hip University City eatery by Jose Garces offers many solutions.

Alright, let’s be honest. Do you really think you can skip the chips and guac?  If not, you have got to share or consider sitting at the bar, having a beer and calling that your meal.

If you have enough self control not to order another round of chips, this menu is packed with healthy options that are perfect for sharing. Here are my picks.

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This Philly hotspot is a no-brainer when it comes to good-for-you grub. From oysters to other raw and cooked seafood treats, the menu at Oyster House offers a bounty of dishes that will please your palate and your waistline.

If it  were up to me, a variety of raw oysters with a glass of champagne would be a meal in itself. But the rest of the menu has so much to offer that I suggest opting for a few oysters to start then, of course, share a few dishes to round out the meal.

Here are my picks for Oyster House.

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Always a safe choice: eggs and whole-wheat toast

It’s so easy to overdo it at brunch. Think about it: It’s not the kind of meal you eat everyday, so when you do, your brain sits there and hollers, “Pancakes! French toast! Extra syrup! Splurge, splurge, splurge!”

Can I get an amen?

Here’s the good news: I studied the menu at Kraftwork in Fishtown and found a lot of really enticing items that’ll feel like a splurge—minus all that post-meal-calorie regret. If I were brunching at Kraftwork, here’s what I’d order.

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Katie says you can't go wrong with gazpacho. Photo from iStockphoto

Just because you’re going Latin American for dinner doesn’t mean you have to pack on the calories and fat with cheese and fried tortillas. Try this: At Avenida, break the rules (gasp!) and skip the chips, salsa and guacamole—a meal in itself—and opt for the real deal. Share a salad or starter, and indulge in the fresh flavors of the entrées.

Here are my picks for what you should order, and where you’ll find them on the menu.

Sopas y Ensaladas:

• Gazpacho >> Rich with vegetables, this cold soup will fill you up with flavor but not calories so you can indulge a bit later in the meal.

• Roasted beet salad with fennel, queso fresco and mango vinaigrette >> Go light on the cheese, but enjoy the natural sweetness this dish has to offer.

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