Restaurant: The Salad Concept

Anyone who knows me will tell you that I have a sick, undying obsession with Salad Concept, affectionately known by me as S-Concept or, simply, "The S." This restaurant, which recently expanded to fill the growth of enlightened salad lovers, has exactly what most Thai food is missing: uncooked vegetables, organic produce, and healthy portions of MEAT (or tofu)! Bring on the protein.

Salad Concept, located on Nimmanhaemin, has the unique allure of allowing customers to individually create their own salad. Customers can pick 5 toppings (50 baht), add meat or tofu (25 baht), and then add cheese (20 baht). The ingredients are fresh, the dressings are original (choices include pumpkin, japanese soy sauce, tofu, carrot, and passion fruit), and the service is on-point. And, last but not least, the salads are HUGE!

S-Concept also has some notable beverages and sweets. Beverages include health smoothies like a banana peanut butter mix and hangover cures like wheatgrass shots or beetroot juice. Having a vivacious sweet tooth, I would definitely recommend trying some type of dessert while you're there--they are the closest thing that I've found in Chiang Mai to Western desserts (meaning over-sized, cream cheese frosting covered, and deserving of "I really shouldn't...).

My perfect (hungry man) Salad Concept order:

Salad: grilled chicken, Feta cheese, sweet corn, red beans, onions, whole-wheat noodles, beet root served with Japanese soy sauce dressing.

Beverage: iced caramel latte.

Dessert: Apple cheesecake strudel.

Highlights: Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, homemade salad dressing, amazing dessert selection, great service, indoor & outdoor seating.

Don't forget to order a homemade wheat roll or try a Salad Concept set salad!

Restaurant: Cathouse

Lots of Thai food should be "healthy": the ingredients usually consist of fresh vegetables and meat. However, without growing up on a Thai diet, the oil, coconut milk, and rice (not to mention MSG) can begin to unpleasantly add up.

To balance out my Thai meals, I usually go to a more Western restaurant a few times a week. One notable restaurant is Cathouse. This restaurant--located on Soi 3 Sirimankalagan--has a relatively simple, but refreshing, menu.

"We wanted to make healthy food within reason for a reasonable price. Because there are places [in Chiang Mai] that have really healthy food, but it's always expensive," explains owner Steve Harjula.

And affordable it is! The menu has four categories: "Big Green Salad," "Sandwiches," "Spaghetti," "Fries." The salads range from 50-70 baht; the sandwiches range from 75-85 baht; the spaghetti is 60 baht (or the spaghetti and salad combo is 80 baht); and the fries are 35-40 baht.

Highlights: price, Wi-Fi, variety of fries (zucchini, eggplant, sweet potato, pumpkin), salad dressings (creamy ginger, sesame olive oil, sweet and sour pumpkin passion fruit).

Don't forget to try the Garlic Mayonnaise dipping sauce!

They also have YOGA upstairs! Check them out at cathouse-cm.com