Last night I was invited by the marketing coordinator of UNO’s, Nami, to try their mindful choices menu items. Have you been to UNO’s in a while? This is a relatively new change to the menu. I personally haven’t been to the restaurant since the night they served me a microwaved pizza (that made me sick the next day!) but I was eager to taste some of their healthier offerings. I always appreciated that UNO’s provided nutritional info for all of their items (even though the numbers were often scary!) and last night I was happy to find out that it’s easy to make healthier choices at UNO’s… and they are actually delicious!!
The mindful choices symbolized by a little tomato on the menu imply that the item may be reduced calorie, lower in fat, lower in sodium, etc. There is no set standard for what qualifies as a “mindful choice.” I did find that all the items appeared to be lower in calories, were more veggie centric and were prepared in a healthier manner (baked vs. fried; brown rice vs. white, etc.). Sounds more mindful of health guidelines, no?
Bloggers Melissa and Natalie were also in attendance (check out their new website dedicated to fun events in Boston!), as well as my friend Judith – between the 5 of us (including Nami) we sampled every single mindful choice. Yes, there was a lot of food. And yes, it was a lot of fun!
APPETIZERS
Farro salad with chips – a whole grain barley with diced tomatoes, cucumber and balsamic vinaigrette
[160 calories, 8 g fat – without chips]
Farro is a grain I rarely eat so I was really happy to see it on the menu of a chain restaurant. The balsamic vinaigrette added really nice acidity and the tomatoes and cucs added nice freshness. I say skip the chips (order this as a side!) and dig in with your fork. Yum!
House Made Guacamole with chips – red onion, cilantro, lime juice
[230 calories, 11g fat; without chips]
I did not try this since it contained onions, but everyone LOVED this guac. We don’t need to talk about the fact that avocados are good for you, despite the higher fat content, right? Ok, I didn’t think so. 
Stuffed mushrooms – portabella, shiitake, goat cheese, bread crumbs and romano cheese
[140 calories, 9 g fat]
These were “meaty” and cheesy. Delicious!
SALADS
Walnut crusted warm goat cheese – baked goat cheese atop field greens, with fresh blueberries and low-fat blueberry pomegranate dressing
[250 calories, 17g fat/srg – whole dish = TWO servings!]
My love for all-things goat cheese is not a secret and this walnut crusted ball of heaven was my idea of a perfect salad. I think it would be really amazing to spread the goat cheese over some toast. Mmmm. Beware – this dish contains 2 servings!
Power salad with fat free raspberry vinaigrette dressing – chicken breast, spinach, plum tomatoes, carrots, feta, red grapes, goji berries, raisins, soy nuts, almonds, pepitas, and craisins
[270 calories, 7 g fat; 2 servings/dish]
Wow, there is a lot going on here, doesn’t it? I had a few bites and saw the potential of all the sweet/ savory/ crunchy/creamy toppings being fun but I didn’t actually get to taste them all in one forkful. Entrees and pizza were coming up next so I was a bit distracted, but I think this definitely could be a delicious power meal!
ENTREES
Chicken Milanese salad with balsamic vinaigrette – bread and baked chicken breasts, topped with a salad of mixed greens, tomatoes, red onion, kalamata olives, parmesan and balsamic vinaigrette
[430 calories, 29g fat, including dressing; 2 servings per dish]
I normally would not eat meat at UNO’s (until they start serving organic chicken!) but I tasted a piece for the sake of a review. Man, this was good. It was perfectly crunchy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and very well seasoned. It is possible to have delicious “fried” chicken without frying (again note that 1/2 dish is meant to be a serving, if you eat the whole thing it becomes less of a “mindful choice.”]
Lemon Basil Salmon
[240 calories, 17g fat; without sides; 2 servings/dish]
This was nicely cooked – I loved the lemon/garlic/basil seasoning on top. A bit of butter also added a nice richness without making it greasy. Delicious!
PIZZAS
Harvest vegetable pizza on a 5-grain flatbread – house made salsa, garlic roasted cherry tomatoes, basil, peppers, spinach, broccoli, caramelized onions finished with cheddar and mozzarella
[410 calories, 22 g fat; THREE servings/dish]
UNO’s is obviously known for their pizza and despite not being the ultra buttery deep dish, this pizza delivered! I loved everything up until this point, but this pizza was hands down my favorite. I loved the abundance of veggies, especially the roasted tomatoes and broccoli. This is also made to order, so I was able to request it without the caramelized onions. Note that each pizza is 3 servings, which makes it the most caloric dish if you eat the whole thing (my advice: don’t ).
Roasted Eggplant, Spinach and Feta on 5 Grain Flatbread
[290 calories, 11g fat; 3 servings/dish]
I’m surprised this pizza is lower in calories than the one above given that pesto is higher in calories than salsa. Perhaps there is less cheese on it? This was good if you love pesto as your pizza sauce but I personally preferred the harvest vegetable above.
DESSERT
Mini granny smith all American
[320 calories, 14g fat]
Mini macadamia nut white chocolate cookie sundae
[660 calories, 35g fat 
]
Mini bananas foster
[350 calories, 17g fat]
Mini hot chocolate brownie sundae
[370 calories, 16g fat]
Obviously, dessert is no health food. I appreciate that UNO’s offers mini-versions of many of their top desserts but of course they should still be treated as treats (they’re small but pack a caloric punch – see mini macadamia white chocolate cookie above]. I did not love these. They were super sweet and a little fake tasting in my opinion. I’d stick to savory offerings at UNO’s and have dessert at home.
All in all, I was very pleasantly surprised by UNO’s mindful choice menu items. Everything tasted fresh and flavorful and I would not hesitate to go back there again!
Has it been a while since you’ve been to UNO’s? One lucky Healthy and Sane reader will win $25 UNO dough so you can try any of the above items (or their deep dish pizza… hey I won’t tell ) yourself!
Here are the rules: there are 7 ways to enter.
1) Leave a comment on this post – Tell me whatever you want, like what your favorite pizza topping is or what you’d order if you won! 
2+3) Follow me on Twitter (please tell me in the comments what your twitter name is so I can confirm). For an additional entry, you can also tweet about this giveaway (my twitter handle @elinacooks and a link to this post must be included to qualify)
4) Subscribe to Healthy and Sane by email
5) Like Healthy and Sane on Facebook.
6) Add Healthy and Sane to your blogroll.
7) Link to this post on your blog, if you have one. If you don’t, let someone else know about this giveaway and tell me so in the comments section after they’ve entered the giveaway.
Please leave a separate comment on this post for each entry. The giveaway will end on February 22. I will randomly choose 1 winner using random.org on the following Wednesday. Good luck! 
Edited to add: Nami just sent me a $10 off $25 coupon. If you live near the Boston or Newton restaurant and stop by, be sure to present it. Ok, I’m really done now. lol
I love love love Uno’s! I wish I had known about this event. I would’ve been all over it. I went to Uno’s last night with my mom though. We got the eggplant, spinach and feta that’s above and loved it.
I think Uno’s does a great job of bringing nutritious options to their customers. Especially those of us who live in the ‘burbs and don’t have as many healthy options as the cityfolk.
I haven’t been to Uno’s in ages but I love their deep dish pizza! It is great to see a restaurant chain focusing on bringing healthier options to their diners!
favorite topping…hmmm… fresh basil!
I have to say. When I read the beginning of your post I was expecting these to be as lame as the usual healthy options available at restaurants, but I’m pretty impressed – some of those actually remind me of a cooking light kind of approach, that they still ended up with things that are satisfying and don’t feel uber healthy but are not crazy in bringing on the calories either. (Something tells me with the pizza skins on their menu they needed a bit of a calorie image makeover.)
I also like that it’s not just salads. I’ve had to go to The Cheesecake Factory a few times for work and it’s bummed me out that there only seemingly healthy items are salads and that they have to call them out as weight management salads – which in turn makes me NOT want to order them. Looks like a fun trip out.
I love finding restaurants that offer interesting lighter dishes, usually that is so hard to find. All of that food looks fantastic!
I’m shocked to see they actually have mindful choices. Though I stick to the non-chain restaurants in Boston, I’d give it a try.
I also follow you on twitter (i’m backbaygirl)
I’d order the salmon
Facebook fan
I’m actually amazed at the breadth and depth of their healthy options – especially because a single UNOs deep dish pizza has almost enough calories to sustain me for a day! This is great to hear!
follow you on twitter @acambridgestory
Tweeted about the giveaway (@acambridgestory)
the harvest vegetable pizza looks mouth watering. i love to make veggie pizza at home!
Twitter follower
marciebeth
Tweeted!
I think it’s great that Uno’s is taking it upon themselves to offer some healthier options… BUT I don’t think it is realistic to expect most people to eat only 1/2 or 1/3 of a meal. I personally rarely eat an entire entree at a restaurant, but I think I eat less than most people when dining out. In short, why don’t they just reduce the amount of food that they serve on one plate? I think this technique should be employed by all restaurants, but I am aware that not many people would be advocates for this change. Americans in general want the most food for their buck, rather than the highest quality.
Ok, didn’t mean to go off in a rant there
.
Lauren – I think that’s actually a really valid point, although I can see how a restaurant would be hesitant to cut portions while charging the same. I’m guessing most of their clientelle would not be particularly happy about it. I kind of wish a dish said: “3 servings” on it. haha
That harvest veggie pizza looks awesome! I am going to replicate that one!
I think the goat cheese salad looks really interesting.
Facebook fan,
I eat at Uno’s pretty often (there’s one in my building) and they really do have healthy, delicious food. I love the flatbread pizzas!
I’m already following you on Twitter…
@biancagarcia
… and you’re already on my blog roll!
Lauren you took the words right out of my mouth. The biggest problem with over-consumption in our country is due to portion sizes – and Uno clearly realizes that as they make these dishes 2-3 portions! I would assume a whole pizza is more than one portion, but not a salad. I think that is really misleading and trusting the consumer a bit too much. If its a healthy option, REALLY make it healthy and lighten up the portion by giving less protein and more veggies. Over half the plate should be veg!!
the eggplant and feta flatbread looks yummy, and quite healthy, too! but i would also try that goat cheese salad.
i’m now following you on twitter!
I love Uno’s deep dish pizza! They do have great crust! What a great giveaway!
Wow, I haven’t been to Uno’s in what seems like forever. Probably not since high school, which unfortunately was forever ago. lol. Winning the UNO dough would definitely give me a reason to venture back.
Following you on twitter @PerfectlyKim
I really like uno’s 5 grain crust!! I always get pizza when I go there, I can’t resist
I already follow you on twitter (@runnerscookie)
Their deep dish pizza is my fave splurge item and about a zillion WW points
I’d love to try the farro salad. I’ve actually never had farro before — but it looks soo good in your picture!
I love artichoke hearts!
I love my pizza topped with sauteed kale, goat cheese and a poached egg!
I love pizza with pineapple and jalepenos.
Good to know! Uno’s is very tasty.
wow, who knew?! now if only the chains make all the dishes correctly and those counts are accurate…
Haha, I actually joked that they better not put extra cheese, etc to make it taste delicious to impress us, and Nami assured us that this was done by the book. Maybe I’ll do a surprise visit some day
you’re on my blogroll!
I love mushrooms on my pizza-and I would love to try the healthy options!
thanks for holding this awesome giveaway! i loved this review! you had me at “baked goat cheese”. I would definitely order that.
you’re on my blogroll!
I’ve only been to Uno’s once in MD and I liked it. I don’t know if they have them around here though…
Wow I haven’t been to UNO’s in Ages! But that would be the type of place we’d go if we were up visiting the inlaws in NH so that would come in handy! Plus those new dishes look pretty good!
Love Uno’s, so tasty and love that they are offering lighter fare
I follow you on Twitter:)
I like you on FB!
You’re on my blogroll
[...] UNO’s mindful choices–review (+giveaway!) [...]
If I won the gift card, I would definitely order a pizza covered in veggies. My favorite pizza topping is always mushrooms. Yummy!
My husband would be heaven if I won this! We haven’t been to Uno’s in a long time because I just felt like there weren’t many good, healthy options. Would love to try this out – the pesto pizza sounds yummy!
I typically stay away from chain restaurants but some of those dishes look like they’re worth trying!
Haven’t been to Unos in years, would love to try it out, thanks for the giveway
Definitely would love to order that salmon, though I would definitely eat the entire plate!
Anything seafood please
I subscribe to you via email
I liked you on facebook
It’s nice to see that more and more restaurants are offerings up healthier things! I’d definitely try one of the above pizzas if I win
Wow, I had no idea there was so many options- thats pretty amazing!!!!!
I would love to win this to try out the dishes!
I used to work at an uno’s (for 10 years) it is so nice to see them getting a healthier attitude – though I always loved their salads!
My favorite pizza topping is mushrooms
My favorite pizza topping is extra cheese!
Wow this all looks amazing! I am obsessed with their veggie and feta flax wrap!
I follow you on Twitter . @MissyMaintains
I like you on Facebook.
Mushrooms on my pizza… make my mouth water.
I like you on facebook!
I follow you on twitter – @kaitycal5
And I subcribe to healthy and sane via rss feed.
[...] UNO’s mindful choices–review (+giveaway!) [...]
I would love to try one of those pizzas! It’s nice to see healthy options popping up more and more at places like this.
I LOVE the power salad. I usually eat some there then bring the rest home to have at another meal. It is delicious. Also delicious it the Mediterranean flatbread with the 5 grain crust. You can eat yummy food at UNO’s and still eat healthy.