12 healthy dining options

Eating hot, heavy meals in the summer is as appealing as ice cream cones in a blizzard. In the summer, our heat-weary appetites crave lighter meals. Here are a few suggestions:

Sprouts Wellness Restaurant and Juice Bar
The Spa at Camelback Inn
5402 E. Lincoln Drive, Paradise Valley
480-948-1700
Chef Paul O'Connor knows how to make eating light and healthful feel indulgent. The small plates menu - fresh, packed with super foods and sophisticated - includes ahi-tuna tartare, organic chicken-breast panini and organic baby-spinach salad. Smoothies, appetizers and homemade protein bars also are available.

Mandala Tearoom
7027 E. Fifth Ave. Scottsdale
480-423-3411
Treat your heat weary body to organic salads such as the house chopped, a mix of carrots, sunflower seeds, chopped greens, diced beets and quinoa or a chile lime nut burrito stuffed with walnut filling, guacamole, salsa fresca, olives and sprouts wrapped in collard green leaf. Then chill out over one of more than 40 teas and infusions.

Fresh Mint Restaurant
13802 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale
480-443-2556
Offers modern, healthy vegetarian cuisine. Start with a veggie kabob or autumn rolls, then move on to the house-favorite green papaya salad. Eggplant with basil, golden vegetable curry and the signature lemongrass curry are among the entree selections.

East Valley

Green
2240 N. Scottsdale Road, Tempe
480-941-9003
You can chew on more than your principles here -- global accents give the good-for-you fare a boost. Crunchy veggie samosas, eggless egg rolls, mock crab puffs and flatbread with vegan "cheese" and tomato sauce are some of the attractions.

Woodlands Vegetarian South Indian Kitchen
4980 W. Ray Road, Chandler
877-834-3672
The former owner of Udupi Café in Tempe now runs a restaurant that serves South Indian fare, including many vegetarian specialties, from curries to dosai.

In Season Deli
414 S. Mill Ave., Tempe
480-966-5007
A mainstay of downtown Tempe for over 25 years, the tiny spot has been serving up delicious fare for the vegan and vegetarian crowd, from tamales to a host of pasta, grain and veggie salads.

Phoenix

Mediterranean House
1588 E. Bethany Home Road, Phoenix
602-248-8460
It's hot in the Mediterranean too, so treat your summer appetite to some of the region's time-tested favorites, such as the appetizer platter containing hummus, falafel and babaghanoush with pita. Or opt for vegetarian dumplings, chicken shish kebobs, vegetarian pasta dishes or salmon with a mango mustard sauce.

Soma Café
10810 N. Tatum Blvd., Phoenix
602-867-2175
This café combines good nutrition with innovation. Try to edamame pasta salad with chicken, carrots, tomatoes, broccoli and more; grilled tofu sandwich with red onion hummus, tomato and arugula, sake glazed chicken or banana leaf wrapped salmon, or vegetarian lasagna.

My Florist Café
534 W. McDowell Road, Phoenix
602-254-0333
This favorite neighborhood eatery specializes in light. There's the Oh, My salad of grapefruit, spring greens, walnuts, feta cheese and balsamic vinaigrette. Eat even lighter with a Brie plate and homemade bread.

West Valley

Cafe on the Avenue
West Valley Art Museum
17420 N. Avenue of the Arts, Surprise
623-972-0635
The West Valley has a secret in this cafe. With an ambitious menu, the cafe serves up a limited but summer friendly menu. Try the fresh fruit plate with Brie or chicken Caesar with a spunky dressing. For a slightly heavier meal, go for the Maryland crab cakes on mixed greens with raspberry vinaigrette.

Babbo Italian Eatery
20211 N. 67th Ave., Glendale
623-566-9898
There are 12 salads on the menu in addition to pasta dishes at this neighborhood restaurant. One of the favorite salads is Chopped Gorgonzola with pears, grapes, apples, gorgonzola, roasted chicken breast and walnuts.

Corbin's
19420 N. 59th Ave., Glendale
623-399-8670
The Central Phoenix neighborhood bar and grill has a new location in the Arrowhead area. Their signature salads include the Mediterranean with sun dried tomatoes, artichoke hearts, kalamata olives, feta cheese, raisins and roasted peppers.

Via Mexico Salad at Corbin's Bar and Grill