Sugarvine

It's January -- and for most of us all the festive fun and frolics has inevitably piled the pounds on. So what to do? Detox, diets, and a sound programme of exercise can all help undo the damage but constant calorie-counting and no play makes for a very dull life. Besides, some of Manchester's nicest eateries still have loads of options for the slimmer.

Take Tampopo in Albert Square. OK, many of its Far Eastern dishes come laced with rich coconut cream and peanut sauce, but there are lots of healthy options too. Starters at this minimalist restaurant with canteen-style seating -- the emphasis is firmly on the food -- include succulent chicken satay from Malaysia (just say no to the traditional accompanying peanut dip). A more unusual choice is Japanese Yakitori, skewers of chicken breast and spring onion, coated in teriyaki sauce (£4.75). Veggies can opt for Agadashi Tofu, served on a bed of lightly steamed pak choi with rich ginger and bean sauce, a steal at around £2.95. Salads are spicy and interesting -- there's Goi Bap Cai, chicken breast with Chinese cabbage, shallots and basil and lime dressing. Or how about Som Tam -- carrot, cucumber and beansprouts flavoured with chilli and Thai dressing with coriander and spring onion (£2.75). Mains of the low-fat variety include beef with fresh ginger and shallots wok-fried with steamed rice.

Tampopo, which has been going strong for six years, is also famed for its Japanese ramen -- noodle soups healthily steamed and served with chicken, seafood, prawns, squid and mussels. More than sufficient as a main course. There's also tom yam, the famous Thai hot and sour soup fragrant with lemongrass, lime leaves, red chilli, and prawns. But avoid the lak sa -- curry soup crammed with coconut milk -- until you're a few pounds thinner. Most virtuous dish of all is probably Pad Woon Sen -- glass noodles with broccoli, bamboo shoots, baby corn, tofu, mushrooms, red peppers, onion and garlic. Stylish though it is, Tampopo is not the kind of place where you linger for hours. Its canteen ambience (they did it here way before Wagamama) sees to that. But you won't find better food at these prices. It's licensed, and open Monday to Saturday 12 to 11pm and Sunday 12 to 10pm.

Just over the way is top fish restaurant Livebait -- and no you CAN'T have the cod and chips complete with mushy peas. Instead opt for the aphrodisiac allure of no-fat oysters -- an acquired taste they may be but aficionados adore them. Twelve of these little blighters will set you back £13.75. Livebait is famed for its huge seafood platters - lobster, crevettes, and Atlantic prawns at £52.50 for two. Yes, it's expensive but you deserve a treat if you are dieting. A set menu is served between 12 and 3pm and 5.30 and 7pm. Two courses are £11.50, and three courses £14.50, though they tend to be padded out with mash or chips. Instead, try the a la carte catch of the day ranging from salmon at £9.95 to Dover sole at £17.95. Healthy side dishes at this stylish eaterie (lots of glass and chrome) include tomato and red onion salad at £2.75 and steamed Basmati rice for £2.25.

Indian food is a bit of a no-no for the serious slimmer-- apart from boring old tandoori chicken (and who can ever resist the obligatory poppadums, pickles, and lager?). But Chinese food, steamed and not stir-fried, does have lots of possibilities. Manchester's Chinatown has been explored previously but New Year-wise the cash-strapped should try Wong Chu on George Street, which is famous for its brimming bowls of hot and sour soup, one-dish noodle broths with steamed chicken and vegetables (as well as other unmentionables) and delights like steamed squid and Chinese greens. Around £5 for a one-pot dish and £3 for the soup.

After years of being out of vogue, wholefood vegetarian options are growing in Manchester. If you're in the city centre, try the Earth Cafe at the city's Buddhist Centre. It has a positively angelic choice of vegan soups, curries, salads, and vegetable bakes -- all delicious. Of similar ilk is On The Eighth Day, currently having its original Oxford Road site completely re-built and temporarily re-housed in a hut just down the road. It started life as a hippy co-operative in 1970 and is still a workers' co-operative but it now has a café, shop and second base in Hulme. It's very much traditionalist veggie fare -- soups include broccoli, leek and potato, and carrot and coriander and there's lots of comfort stuff like butter bean bake and risottos. But you won't find healthier food and the staff are very pleasant.

Those living in south Manchester have a number of options. Chorlton's Iguana Bar (pictured above) combines wholesome and filling veggie food with a popular live venue. Healthy salads, sandwiches and dips are all available for around the £5 mark but it's the evening entertainment here that takes centre stage. Practically every night of the week you'll find something going on - stand-up comedy on Mondays, open mike Tuesdays, salsa on Wednesdays, acoustic gig night on Thursdays. Chorlton is where it's at these days. Down the road in Didsbury is Greens, on Burton Road, which is several steps on from the more old-fashioned wholefood recipes. Lots of emphasis on things like pasta, intriguing salads, specials like chestnut casserole and Tuscan olive bread. The chefs have won cordon vert awards (the veggie version of cordon bleu). The Greenhouse in Altrincham is similar in style, offering a quality vegetarian menu plus a good selection of blackboard specials. It's fully licensed, attached to a health shop and with its own outside catering business.