As a self-proclaimed health nut, I've been a fan of celebrity nutritionist and beauty expert Kimberly Snyder for years. Her blog has always been a mainline for holistic guidance, healthy recipes, and overall inspiration, so seeing her name appear in magazines like Vogue and watching Vince Vaughn give her a shout on Letterman is pretty fantastic. To celebrate the launch of her first book, The Beauty Detox Solution (buy your copy in stores and online today), I caught up with Snyder to discuss her top spots for healthy dining and drinking in the two cities she most frequents: Los Angeles and New York.

● Van Doren @ Elixir at the OPUS Hotel (Yaletown) - This standout server packs incredible knowledge into her tiny frame, and not just about the main dishes. In a quandary about dessert? She's a former pastry chef. Questions about wine? She's a sommelier. And if you're game to try a self- guided wine tour during your holiday, this adorable brainbox knows 'em all and will point you wherever your palate wants to go. ● Jimmy "the Greek" @ Coast (Downtown) - It's his career, and it shows. Old school like few in today's restaurant scene, Jimmy's stories alone would be worth a visit, and despite the au courant design and menu, his classic style of service is a testament to Vancouver's glory days, then and now. ● Corey @ West (South Granville) - Nouvelle service might be a misnomer, but there's also nothing new school about the elegant ballet that takes place every night at top-rated West. No less than three sommeliers are on the floor at every dinner service, but Corey's savvy and great humor earn him laurels from guests for good reason.

You could read all of Frank Bruni's article (and supplemental blog post) on the sad ways restaurants and their respective owners are coping with the downturn (by offering customers various deals to help lure them in), or you can read our simple guide to the guide. The choice is yours, but we know what would save more time. Savings we pass along to you, the otherwise hapless consumer.

1. Cru (Silver Lake) - With inspired vegetarian, vegan, and raw cuisine, Cru offers healthy eats without the oven. 2. Real Food Daily (West Hollywood) - The organic vegan cuisine attracts full- and part-time vegetarians -- and its fair share of diet-conscious celebrities. 3. Flowering Tree (West Hollywood) - The five-page menu is packed with organic vegetarian and vegan options, as well as a few meats shipped in fresh from family farms for the carnivores.