Seasons 52 Restaurant an Orlando Original

Although Orlando-based Darden Restaurants is best known for its Olive Garden and Red Lobster chains, its Seasons 52 restaurants offer an upscale and refreshingly healthy alternative to standard casual dining fare. The first Seasons 52 opened in Orlando in 2003 with an innovative concept: fresh, seasonal foods with a constantly changing menu and an extensive wine list.

Simply put, Seasons 52 serves up seafood, vegetables and lean meats in season, and keeps the flavors fresh by preparing them without the deep frying, butter sautéing, and heavy sauces that weigh down most restaurant meals. Meals are nutritionally balanced and portion controlled, and no item on the menu contains more than 475 calories. Even the desserts are low calorie, but not because the pastry chefs skimp on flavor—the rich desserts, such as German chocolate cake, key lime pie, and red velvet cake, are served in distinctive shot glasses.

The two Orlando area Seasons 52 restaurants are in Orlando on Sand Lake Road and Altamonte Springs near the Altamonte Mall. Reservations are highly recommended well in advance. For more information, visit Orlando Restaurants