Sage

After seeing many positive reviews, we finally visited Sage. We were a party of 5 so got to taste many dishes. I have a pretty high bar for "foodie" restaurants, for what it is worth. This place exceeded every expectation, from atmosphere, to service, music, food and drinks. It is elegant without pretentiousness. The service is attentive and friendly without being obtrusive. The cocktails are worth coming for alone. We will be back often for those. The appetizers and entrees were..DIVINE. I do think the rabbit fricassee would suffice for a meal if you had another appetizer like the (died and gone to heaven) bacon caesar. The brussels on this were crispy and fluffy. I could live on that. My husband nearly cried over his perfect Vesper cocktail and foie gras appetizer. I was leery that the "meat" gelato would be weird but it really was oddly complementary to the whole plate. We had the smoked veal, the bouilliabase, tagliatelle, and porchetta. All were inspired and superb, in some cases better than we have EVER tasted elsewhere. The outer portion of the porchetta was a touch dry but still delicious. For those who may wonder, the portions larger portions than the online photos imply. Desserts were creative and fun. Favorite was creme brulee. This is going to be our new goto place.

Very beautiful building inside and out. The restaurant was only 1/3 full and we had a reservation however we were seated next to a very loud table of I think 12 men. Why?! We are on a date just two of us and have to be squeezed next to this loud party? I asked to be reseated immediately and they moved us to a different floor were we had more privacy. Our server was friendly and made a few helpful suggestions. I ordered Ramen that we split and I found it too salty and by the time it got to our table it was merely warm (perhaps because the small portion was split into two bowls, but the bowls one would think must be heated for this meal, right? Tomahawk for my husband was outstanding with rich smoky flavor. I was surprised the server didn't ask about how we'd like the meat to be cooked and it came medium well. My foie gras was perfectly cooked and tasted devine however I couldn't marry this warm delicate piece with cold ice cream and rock hard sugary sweet biscuit. Truffle flavor (from biscuit crumbs and oil) was paring perfectly! Overall fancy place with beautiful ambience, but what looked interesting on the menu disappointed me.

Parking wasn’t accessible but thankful for complimentary valet! The atmosphere was truly wonderful. Live music but soft enough i could enjoy the instruments, song, and my conversation. The lighting was soft but not dark. There were stairs and an elevator which I found inclusive and a door off the front entrance for those unable to take the steps as well. Service was top notch, friendly, informative, and attentive. I wish I had taken pictures. Beautiful art was displayed throughout. Even the bathrooms were designed well.

We had high hopes for the food but 5 of us left very disappointed. The kale and white bean stew was overly spiced (I love spice but it was overpowering for a light soup). The flavor was bland. The lamb shank was dried out and not flavorful. The tagliatelle was overcooked and they obviously rinsed the pasta as the bland and watery sauce was not sticking to the noodles. The ramen, while a neat idea was overly salted and tasted like bouillon. The stock was far from traditional. The menu mentioned a chicken ramen and there was a tiny piece that was found swimming in the broth but was hard to find. The roasted sweet potatoes and the blueberry & fig salad were the best items of the night. I can only speak incredibly highly of the service we received. They were all exceptional. Gorgeous spot and wonderful atmosphere. We would go back in a heartbeat for drinks to enjoy the ambiance, but would be for after dinner. The singer in the front “reception” area was amazing. She had a wonderful voice.

The food was perfect and delicious. The service was professional and waitress was attentive. The atmosphere was perfect for a family, romantic evening, or after hours business meeting. I started with the Apple-Pear-Prosciutto Stack with Sage, Pistachio Butter and Parmigiano Reggiano! Mouthwatering blend of fresh, sweet and savory flavor that increased my anticipation for the next course. I followed this with the Smoked Veal Tomahawk, Spiced Apple Chutney and Thyme-Infused Potatoes Au Gratin. The veal chop was cooked to perfection and the sides complemented it with enhanced fall flavors and warm, herby potatoes. We finished off dinner sharing the Goat Cheese Cheesecake with Honey Orange Marmalade, Candied Pecans and Rosemary Apricot Financier. Just delicious! I highly recommend at least one visit if you are in the Sarasota area to enjoy a dinner that offers the best meal, service and atmosphere for those “I need the full experience” dining moments.

A friend and I went to Sage for a special occasion dinner on Friday evening and found the experience itself to be a true special occasion. The restaurant is housed in the old Sarasota Times building, a Mediterranean Revival beauty on the National Register of Historic Places. The stunning interior lives up to the exterior’s promise, delivering a warm and cozy vibe while featuring sleek and modern elements. The menu changes depending on what’s in season, but always includes Thai bouillabaisse, a signature masterpiece of taste and presentation that positions a shrimp, a scallop, cod and lobster atop a bed of black lotus rice. It was culinary perfection for me! The meal began with a palate-freshening slice of cucumber topped with aioli, continued with a scallop appetizer for each of us, moved on to the bouillabaisse for me and lamb for my companion, and ended with sticky toffee pudding and a brownie. While it sounds like an excess of food, it wasn’t: We left delighted and satisfied, not overstuffed. Our server, Marley, was knowledgeable and personable, though perhaps a bit overstretched as we didn’t see much of him during our 2 ¼ hours in the dining room. Sage is one of the reasons Sarasota has a reputation as a foodie town!