From oysters and crawfish to Po’Boys and turtle soup, New Orleans is a great place to be if you love to eat.

Institutions like Brennan’s (www.brennansneworleans.com) , Arnaud’s (www.arnauds.com) , Antoine’s (www.antoines.com) and Café Du Monde (http://www.cafedumonde.com/) always offer a taste of history alongside a terrific French Creole meal. 

But when you’re in this town for several days, and you don’t want to go home several pounds heavier, you might want to take a little break from the rich cream sauces and powdery beignets.  What to do?  Try MiLa (http://www.milaneworleans.com), where taste isn’t sacrificed for a serving of health and a lot of tradition.

Chefs Slade Rushing and Allison Vines-Rushing are from Mississippi and Louisiana, respectively, so their menu is inspired by their Southern heritage; however, they use fresh produce, purchased daily, from local purveyor Lujele Farms in Mount Hermon, Louisianna, so every lunch, brunch and dinner option is fresh, “clean” and explodes with flavors.

I enjoyed a meal there yesterday when a colleague of mine and I tried dishes including a light-as-air Mirliton Veloute with Louisiana Crawfish and Lobster Oil; a delicate Filo-Crusted Redfish with Wilted Heirloom Spinach; a crisp salad of Farm Arugula with Homemade Duck Ham, Pears and Red Wine Vinaigrette and the most tender cornbread with lima bean puree.

As chic a restaurant as it is good, MiLa is a find.  Seek it out the next time you’re in town.