Eating Healthy Out Is Too Easy at Seasons 52

I’ll be the first to admit: I judge chain restaurants. Before even going in one, I just assume it won’t be that great or will just feel, well, like it was produced on a mass assembly line. Too polished. Too smooth. Too pre-packaged. And without enough character. So when I first heard about Seasons 52, I was skeptical.

Yes, the concept of a higher-end restaurant that promises seasonal fare with nothing on the menu having more than 475 calories is awesomesauce-plus-plus, but how good could it be. Really? I mean, shouldn’t we just call it a day and hit up Red Lobster for cheese biscuits? Or see if there’s a table at Olive Garden for endless soup and salad? (For the record, despite my previous statements, I love both of those as meal options.) But much to my surprise, Seasons 52 delivered. And delivered well at that.
So much so that I’m obsessed with the place. I can’t get my husband to go because he’s afraid he’ll starve (one of those poor, unfortunate souls—sing it!–with a ridiculous metabolism), but I really, really like it! Nice inside but not overly stuffy, for lunch one day I had the Maui Tuna Crunch salad and it was simply delightful. And then, for dessert, I had a little shot glass of Rocky Road Belgian Chocolate that was sinfully good (230 calories—and I even shared a bite of it) and just the right size to fulfill a craving.
Now, there are a few tweaks I’d make to the restaurant and the menu, but I’m declaring this a Healthy Obsession because, well, this is exactly the kind of thing America needs. A “healthier” restaurant that doesn’t scream “HEY, I’M HEALTHY!” I love granola and tofu and all that, but it’s really cool to see a nice, mainstream place put out fresh, seasonal and better-for-you food without making a fuss about it. If you have one in your city (locations here), check it out.
Anyone else been to a Seasons 52? What did you think of the food and the dining experience? —Jenn