I’m always on the lookout for a healthy meal that doesn’t taste like it.

Writing about Sarasota restaurants and food definitely has its upsides. But, there are a few downsides too, like a rising LDL and a potentially new record high on the bathroom scale. You’ve got to be careful, it’s dangerous out there.

Years ago I was diagnosed, like so many others have been, with a cholesterol problem. To be more specific, a high cholesterol problem. Since then, I’ve tried to be mostly on my best behavior. Breakfast is tough for me. I like bacon! But, every problem has potential solutions.

Enter the scrambled egg white.

This is probably not the dish the folks at Station 400 would have picked for me to tell you about. They do have a fantastic menu of much more interesting offerings than egg whites, but, it’s my breakfast.

Chef Eric Bein is known around town as someone who is creative and inventive in the kitchen. So how would a simple dish like a plate of scrambled egg whites test his culinary abilities? Probably not so much. But, egg whites are not as easy as they would seem. With the potential to be bland and nondescript or cooked in gobs of butter (thereby defeating the whole healthy thing), it can be a breakfast gamble. It’s a lot riskier than ordering a bowl of steel cut oatmeal or some dry rye.

You’re talking about someone who over the course of the past 10 years has eaten a mountain of egg whites. Am I a connoisseur of the half egg? Yes I am.

So how were the whites? In a word, excellent. Cooked to perfection. Nice and fluffy, not at all dried out. They were not cooked in a pool of butter or some other cooking fat, so they maintained their healthy status. But, they still had great mouth feel and flavor. An accomplishment.

Egg whites are one thing. Hash brown potatoes are quite another. It’s safe to say they’re not health food, but they’re not as bad for you as you might think. That is provided you don’t consume an entire trough of them. The hash browns pictured above were an unexpected surprise. Nice and lightly fried with an accent of thyme. Fantastic. I didn’t eat them all I swear. And, that was tough.

The bottom line: If you’re looking for something a little lighter to start you day, Station 400 delivers with a plate of scrambled egg whites and thyme hash browns that you will love and will do your heart and waistline proud. Sure, you’re not going to mistake this breakfast for an order of eggs Benedict with a side of bacon, but, you may not wear out your bathroom scale so quickly either.

If you know of a place that serves a great healthy breakfast dish, leave a comment and let all of us know about it.

The new year always brings us some great new Sarasota dining options. And, this year is no exception.

Every Saturday and Sunday, from 9am to Noon, the Siesta Key Oyster Bar (SKOB). Will be offering local diners a fantastic breakfast menu. This special collection of items is sure to get your weekend off on the right foot.

The offerings include some new twists on classic breakfast dishes. How about starting your day with a delicious Crab Cake Benedict topped with a tangy Key Lime Hollandaise sauce like the one above? Of course the menu boasts some traditional items too.

Let’s see, how can the Wake Up Call Breakfast be even better? How about two complimentary mimosa’s, Bloody Mary’s or screwdrivers? That’s better!

Here’s a look at the complete SKOB Wake Up Call Breakfast menu.

Click on the image below to view the full menu.

Siesta Key Oyster Bar
5238 Ocean Blvd.
Sarasota, FL 34242
941-346-5443

Looking for a great place to grab a relaxed and casual breakfast or lunch?

I know Sarasota offers lots of options fitting that description. One of the newest entries is Station 400. Located in the old Sierra Station space on Lemon, Station 400 is reinventing the breakfast and lunch menu.

Chef Eric Bein is adding his special culinary flare to traditional and non-traditional breakfast and lunch fare.

Click on the image below to view the full menu.

If you give Station 400 a try, please leave us a comment about your experience.

Station 400
400 North Lemon Avenue
Sarasota, Florida 34236
941-906-1400

Three great locations for breakfast and lunch. Word of Mouth also serves dinner at their downtown restaurant, the former Metro Coffee on Osprey. There are lots of fantastic traditional entree choices for you to choose from. Easy on the wallet pricing and prompt, attentive service complete the picture at Word of Mouth.

My personal favorite is the Reuben Sandwich for lunch. It’s worth a try. Have one for me!

A Sarasota favorite. The Serving Spoon has been dishing out great breakfast and lunches for years here in town. With three locations to choose from you can find one that’s convenient for you. A casual, relaxed atmosphere with reasonable prices and good service. What more can you ask for?

The Serving Spoon
1825 S Osprey Ave
Sarasota, FL 34239
(941) 366-1277

215 Lakewood Ranch Blvd.
Sarasota, FL 34240
(941) 907-9101