Be True to Your Tummy

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It's True. Sometimes eating healthy means sacrificing taste. But it doesn't have to be that way.

Opening today at the awesome new outdoor mall Santa Monica Place is an amazing restaurant full of healthy, organic, local, and low-cal dishes.


Let me introduce you to True Food Kitchen.

I got the privilege of checking out this fabulous restaurant Friday night.


It is the fourth location for Phoenix restaurant mogul Sam Fox, who created the concept with author and medical expert Dr. Andrew Weil and Chef Michael Stebner.

The menu offers options for all dietary needs. From free-range chicken and beef to wild caught salmon, vegan/vegetarian dishes, and gluten-free meals, there's really something for everyone.


We started out with two of the restaurant's refreshing cocktails, a Berry Cup and a Cucumber-Citrus Skinny Margarita.

I must say, the Berry was my favorite of the two.


The Shrimp Dumplings were our first course and they were fab. However, we were told the Edamame Dumplings are to die for as well. There's always next time!


Next up, the main event. I chose the Chicken and Shrimp Panang Curry...



...and the bf went with the Miso Glazed Black Cod.



Both were fantastic. However, I got a peek at the Pan Seared Halibut, which resulted in a mild case of the green eyed monster.

The Curry turned out to be a bit spicy, and therefore we needed another drink to wash it down.

Bring on the Flower Child and a Retail Therapy.

Once again, my choice of the strawberry martini-like drink was beat in the taste bud department by my bf's pineapple-infused concoction.



And finally (though we were completely stuffed), we couldn't pass up the opportunity to try one of the kitchen's mouth-watering desserts.

A Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp finished off our feast. It was delish!


To sum it up, it was a wonderful experience.

The ambiance, the food, and the drinks we enjoyed all made for an enchanting evening. And knowing that I wasn't going to pay with a pooch the next morning, made the meal all that more appetizing.

The establishment's eco-friendly decor-though casual-is offset by a lively atmosphere and dim dinner lighting. And with prices ranging from $6 to $25 it makes for an affordable, fun, date-night option.

Check out the Food and Drink menus for yourself. And be sure to stop in next time you need to refuel after a long day of shopping!