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Healthy Eater: A New Restaurant Rich With Healthy Dishes
By Anna Cate Ridley

With a resume like Chef Kevin Rathbun’s, it’s no wonder his brand-new restaurant is absolutely packed, even on a Monday night. After serving as the executive chef of Nava, the opening chef of Bluepointe and ultimately the corporate executive chef for Buckhead Life Restaurant Group, Rathbun has finally opened his signature creation, aptly named Rathbun’s. And the menu has options galore, many of which are low in carbs, but always high in taste.

Delicious meats and fresh vegetables abound on this menu, which has about 20 starter options–both cooked and raw plates, and about 15 entree possibilities. It’s not tough to eat healthy at Rathbun’s, but it is tough to decide which delights to feast on. First, I highly recommend the Thai Rare Beef & Kaffir Lime Salad small plate, which is very light and tender. Another great healthy starter option is the Garlic Shrimp & Local Okra with Spiced Tomatoes. Moving on to the small raw plates, you can’t go wrong with either the Tuna or Hamachi “Crudo,” which are both served with very fine olive oil. My favorite, however, was the South Georgia Shaved Zucchini with Parmesan Reggiano and Lemon Verbena–a fresh and citrusy dish filled with unique flavors.

As for the entree, I had to give the Tarragon Roasted Chicken a whirl. As the story goes, Rathbun came up with this dish 20 years ago, but never served it on a menu until now. Two plump, juicy chicken breasts are marinated by stuffing them with onions, lemon, tarragon and butter and served in a light chicken broth reduction sauce with a side of creamy mashed potatoes, which I opted to substitute for the lower-calorie Brown Butter Cauliflower Mash. The all-natural chicken comes from Ashley Farms, where the birds are free of hormones, antibiotics, chemicals and preservatives. Another solid option for sticking to the diet is the Rosemary Grilled Beef Flat Iron Steak served with Heart of Palm, Arugula and Lemon Oil. Rathbun, despite the demands of running his large, upscale kitchen, can be spotted on the restaurant floor serving and chatting with his admiring guests. That’s proof in itself that Rathbun aims to continue to please Atlantans with his unparalleled cuisine for years to come. –by Anna Cate Ridley