“Nothing tastes as good as looking hot feels.” I forget who said it, but ain’t it the truth. The delights of the table are dear to me, but I’d still rather have shredded abs. I relish marbled ribeyes, Ossetra caviar, and Château Margaux as much as the next full-blooded bon vivant, but my very favorite thing to eat has yet to appear on any menu I’ve encountered.
Staying in shape while keeping up this restaurant journalism racket is a Herculean struggle—one that only grows more daunting with each passing year. I have my tricks for keeping the pudge at bay: no breakfast, daily exercise—even just push-ups in my apartment if I’m too busy for the gym—and supplements like ashwagandha and fish oil. But I’m staring down a hard truth, compadre: I have to change the way I eat if I intend to preserve the last remnant of youthful vigor. Too much Michelin fare will make me the Michelin Man before my fortieth birthday. Fortunately, I discovered Matter, a Manhattan restaurant specializing in gourmet, fitness-friendly fare.
Nutritious, delicious, and delivered to your door
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Imagine a menu designed by a decathlete who read Jim Harrison between workouts. Forget yoga-mom rabbit food; this here is muscle fuel crafted by elite chefs. Grass-fed beef glazed in miso and garnished with a color wheel of vegetables. Shredded chicken spiced with chipotle and topped with fresh salsa and avocado. The vegetarian options are just as thoughtful. You won’t find gluten, sugar, or seed oils on the menu, but you won’t miss them.
And you don’t have to trek to NoHo: Matter delivers its meals anywhere in Manhattan.
New York City would be a sad place to live if I had to shun all its wonderfully decadent dishes and libations. But, as I said, too much indulgence will leave me wider than I am tall. As the Buddha taught, wisdom lies between indulgence and asceticism. I still occasionally gorge myself like a starving legionnaire on cheeseburgers, tacos, and pizza. Most of the time, though, I prefer to order clean, yummy fuel through the Matter app.