Canyon Ranch Grill ~ Miami Beach, Florida – The Canyon Ranch Grill is all about nourishing cuisine filled with bright, focused and vibrant flavors with multiple textures, visual appeal, enticing aromas and superior nutritional value.

Furthermore, their unique food experiences feature clean, wholesome, seasonal and fresh ingredients with an emphasis on local, organic and sustainable farming and fishing methods.

I suppose to some, this may all sound like a great reason to head for the nearest chain restaurant.  However,  we can personally attest that a night of dining at the Canyon Ranch Grill will not only be a wonderfully delicious gastronomic journey, but also one set in a romantic ocean-side setting with impeccable service.

Our experience was hosted by Canyon Ranch Marketing and Communications Director Daniella Gallego.  Daniella explained how the Canyon Ranch Hotel and Spa was developed from the long-ago closed historic Carillon Hotel, a 1950s landmark and stomping grounds of the rich and famous.

As we began to explore the menu, Daniella ordered a serving of the Canyon Ranch Grill’s famous Artichoke Fries (baked artichoke w/ organic ketchup ~ gluten free, 45 calories, 5 carb gm, 2 protein gm, 3 fat gm, and 3 gm of fiber/serving – two servings).

I was intrigued when she mentioned the idea of artichoke fries, but I can now see why these babies are appetizer favorites.  They were delish, and served up absolutely none of the typical regrets of eating something called a “fry”.

As we enjoyed our “fries”, we noticed that absolutely every entreé on the menu contained dietary information that included whether it was gluten free, or perhaps vegan, and then detailed the specific calories, carbs, protein, fat, and fiber of the item.

I double-dog dare most of America’s chef to put that information on their menus.

While we continued our conversation with Daniella, our server brought out something called Devils on Horseback (dates, maytag blue cheese, turkey bacon ~ 2 serving on the plate w/ 120 calories, 20 carb, 5 protein, 3 fat, and 2 fiber/serving).  Major YUM alert!

For our main course, we enjoyed South Georgia Island Chilean Sea Bass (Marine Stewardship Council Certified Catch – garbanzo puree, citrus vinaigrette, and wilted greens.  Gluten free, 320 calories, 20 carbs, 10 protein, 20 fat, 4 fiber).

Look at that!  Absolutely delicious, and no lingering regrets about calories consumed.  It was only 320 calories!  Holy guilt-free entreé Batman!

What about dessert you say?  Yup!  We had it!

I ordered a wonderful Key Lime Pie.  You want to know the Canyon Ranch Hotel & Spa difference?  It was maybe twice the size of my grandfather’s old silver dollars.  Just enough to satisfy the desire for something sweet, but not enough to send you into a sugar-induced coma.

What a wonderful dining experience we had at the Canyon Ranch Grill.  This may well be our most guilt-free, gourmet meal.

Thank you Executive Chef Giovanni Arias, and the whole Canyon Ranch Grill team, for serving up a most wonderful dining experience.

Disclosure:  this wonderful dining experience was provided by the kind folks at Canyon Ranch Hotel and Spa, Miami Beach.  Thank you!  We had a GREAT time!