Georgann Yara

Special for The Republic

The season of culinary indulgence is over and the climate of resolution has just begun. If kicking off the new year means kicking high-calorie starchy, sugary and creamy meals to the curb, stick to that plan with help from these menu items under 600 calories.

PHOENIX

The Market Restaurant + Bar by Jennifer’s

The salmon dinner ($22, 570 calories) starts with seared salmon and accouterments of shiitake mushrooms and parsnip puee. A Pinot Noir reduction and gremolata garnish provide an elegant finish.

Details: 3603 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix. 602-579-5327, themarketphx.com.

Qdoba Mexican Eats

You won’t be tipping the scales with the Drunken Yardbird taco ($3.50, 220 calories): Tequila lime chicken is served with guacamole, salsa verde, cilantro, minced onion and cotija cheese.

Details: 12005 N. Tatum Blvd., Phoenix. 602-493-8100. Other locations at qdoba.com.

Miracle Mile Deli

Skip the feta when ordering the Mediterranean salad ($10, 450 calories). Fresh grilled chicken breast, chopped romaine, sliced red tomatoes, red onion and shredded Parmesan are tossed with the housemade Greek Athena dressing.

Details: 4433 N 16th St., Phoenix. 602-776-0992, miraclemiledeli.com.

The Cheesecake Factory

Check out the Skinnylicious menu for dozens of items under 600 calories, such as the fresh basil, tomato and cheese flatbread ($6.95, 320 calories) with mozzarella, fontina and Parmesan. If you’re keeping an eye on carbs, get the trio of Mexican chicken tacos ($6.95, 260 calories), wrapped in butter lettuce with avocado, tomato, onion, cilantro, roasted corn salsa and crema.

Details: Biltmore Fashion Park, 2402 E. Camelback, Phoenix. 602-778-6501. Other locations at thecheesecakefactory.com.

PF Chang’s

The Delightful Dishes menu includes the shrimp with lobster sauce tossed with chopped black beans, peas, scallions, Asian mushrooms, water chestnuts and egg ($16.50, 360 calories).

Details: Kierland Commons, Greenway Parkway and Scottsdale Road, Phoenix. 480-367-2999. Other locations at pfchangs.com.

NORTHEAST VALLEY



ZuZu

The Tuscan kale salad ($13, 350 calories) satiates with a bed of Lacinato kale, pecorino Romano, julienne pear, pan-roasted breadcrumbs, pine nuts, oven-roasted tomato and lemon dressing. For protein, add ahi ($8, 120 calories) or grilled chicken ($4, 150 calories).

Details: Hotel Valley Ho, 6850 E. Main St., Scottsdale. 480-421-7997, hotelvalleyho.com.

First Watch

The Power Wrap ($8.29, 285 calories) stuffs a sun-dried tomato basil tortilla with egg whites, turkey, spinach, house-roasted crimini mushrooms and Swiss cheese. It’s served with fresh fruit (90 calories) and a side of housemade salsa (20 calories).

Details: 16455 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. 480-248-9602. Other locations at firstwatch.com.

California Pizza Kitchen

The lighter spin on a classic, the shrimp scampi fettuccine ($14.49, 470 calories) boasts zucchini ribbons sauteed with lemon, garlic and white wine, tossed with parsley, Parmesan and a touch of fettuccine.

Details: 10100 Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. 480-596-8300. Other locations at cpk.com.

Olive Garden

The fish duo of baked tilapia with shrimp ($15.99, 360 calories) pairs the delicate white fish with shrimp, which are baked with a white wine sauce and served with Parmesan-garlic broccoli.

Details: 3380 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. 480-874-0212. Other locations at olivegarden.com.

Sol Mexican Cocina

A palate-awakening alternative to the usual salad plate, the beet and watermelon salad ($11, 450 calories) brings roast beets and watermelon cubes together with queso fresco, red onion and arugula tossed with lemon-basil vinaigrette. Salted pepita brittle adds a unique sweet and salty crunch.

Details: 15323 N, Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. 480-245-6708, solcocina.com.

SOUTHEAST VALLEY



NCounter

Kick off the day with the Morning Glory omelet ($8.50, 382 calories): Egg whites are scrambled and topped with avocado, Roma tomatoes and red onion.

Details: 310 S. Mill Ave., Tempe. 480-968-9288, ncounter.com.

Delice Bistro

For lunch, try the chicken avocado salad ($8.95, 460 calories) with mixed greens, hard-boiled egg, tomato, avocado and grilled chicken tossed in a vinaigrette. For breakfast or lunch, the savory turkey and Swiss crepe ($6.95, 580 calories) is a warming combo accented by mushrooms in a delicate crepe carriage.

Details: 690 S. Mill Ave., Tempe. 480-656-8847, delicebistro.com.

U.S. Egg

Carb watchers may opt for the zero-carb Protein and Greens menu items, such as the chicken breast meal ($10.29, 342 calories), a 7-ounce chicken breast served with grilled broccoli or spinach. The gluten-free Bay Area French Toast ($8.79, 530 calories) is made with locally baked, gluten-free bread that’s soaked in eggs and fried to a crisp, golden brown and topped with strawberry sauce, bananas and whipped cream.

Details: 131 E. Baseline Road, Tempe. 480-831-0070. Other locations at useggrestaurant.com.

BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse

The fire-roasted barbacoa chicken ($11.75, 540 calories) features barbacoa-spiced, marinated chicken breast served over brown rice and black beans. It’s topped with cilantro, Greek yogurt crema, fire-roasted tomato salsa and feta cheese.

Details: 3155 W. Chandler Blvd., Chandler. 480-917-0631. Other locations at bjsrestaurants.com.

Wildflower Bread Company

Try a combo ($8.49) with the turkey breast and Brie half sandwich (290 calories) paired with a fruit salad side (130 calories) or bowl of vegetarian minestrone (130 calories).

Details: 6428 S. McClintock Drive, Tempe. 480-838-9773. Other locations at wildflowerbread.com.

WEST VALLEY

Pita Jungle

Who says pizza is off limits? The pesto pizza ($7.69, 540 calories) comes with fresh pesto, tomatoes, mushrooms, spinach with feta cheese, mozzarella and herbs on a Greek pita. Eat half for lunch and save the other for dinner or a snack the next day.

Details: 7530 W. Bell Road, Glendale. 623-486-2615. Other locations at pitajungle.com.

Salad and Go

The flavor-packed Greek salad ($5.74, 144 calories) does the job with mixed greens, romaine, cucumber, red and green onion, tomatoes, kalamata olives and feta paired with Greek dressing.

Details: 9875 W. Lower Buckeye Road, Tolleson. 480-304-5662. Other locations at saladandgo.com.

Corner Bakery Cafe

A menu dedicated to 100 combos, each totaling less than 600 calories, makes for plenty of options and pondering. For starters, try the comforting duo of half a chicken pesto sandwich and cup of roasted tomato basil soup ($8.79, 510 calories).

Details: 16222 N. 83rd Ave., Peoria. 623-878-4550. Other locations at cornerbakerycafe.com.

Yard House

The ahi crunchy salad ($11.95, 430 calories) features seared rare ahi, field greens, Asian slaw, crispy wontons and a soy vinaigrette finale.

Details: Westgate Entertainment District, Loop 101 and Glendale Avenue, Glendale. 623-872-3900. Other locations at yardhouse.com.

Firebirds Wood Fired Grill

Splurge on the 8-ounce grilled salmon filet wood-fired dinner ($22.95, 450 calories), just remember to stick with the veggie side (not the Parmesan mashed potatoes).

Details: 16067 N. Arrowhead Fountain Drive, Peoria. 623-773-0500, firebirdsrestaurants.com.