Globe Link

Issue date: 8/31/06 Section: News

There are not that many Vegan restaurants in Salt Lake City, let alone Utah. When vegans find a restaurant that serves well prepared food, as well as being fairly affordable, the word spreads like the cheerleader's name who was intimate with the entire football team.

Chances are if you are a vegan, you have heard of Sage's Cafe. Those who are not vegan may not of heard of this phenomenal restaurant, however, everyone should definitely try it out. From its Tuesday night all you can eat pizza to Sunday's brunch, everyone will leave Sage's wishing they had room in their stomach for the Tiramisu.

Sage's Cafe was started by its owners Ian and Kelsey Brandt. The restaurant was named after their son Sage. Ian and Kelsey started off serving their organically made food at many community events around the Salt Lake Valley under the name of "The Greens Vegetarian Foods." The Brandt's realized the need for organic, locally grown cuisines and opened Sage's Cafe in 2000.

Sage's is located downtown at 473 East 300 South next to The Other Place restaurant. Sage's is covered by beautiful clumps of green, deep purple and pale grapes which only add to the organic nature that makes up the restaurant's environment. The menu at Sage's might intimidate those that are not familiar with vegetarian ingredients such as tempeh or tofu. If that is the case, the accommodating staff is ready to answer any questions that customers might have.

The vegetarian chicken tacos would be a welcomed dinner to anyone who is new to the organic vegetarian cuisine. If you are not new to the vegetarian lifestyle, or if the whole world is your comfort zone, there are many dishes that will be pleasing to your taste buds. These divine dishes include Rasta's Raw Pesto Pasta, Mushroom Stroganoff, The Magical Wok Special Request and Fresh Basil Macadamia Pesto Pasta.

Appetizers include a Shiitake Escargot, Carrot Butter Crustini and Bruchetta. All of which will make a person's taste buds marvel at the creativity of the chefs.

The menu also boasts of Smoothies and wonderfully semi guilt free desserts. There is also a beer and wine list that would read like an Alexander Dumas novel, poetic and interesting until the end.

Sage's owners strive to improve the community as well as the environment through their food. Sage's owners utilize local businesses. The Brandts purchase from at least 18 local suppliers, as well as sponsors community and environmental businesses.

"We love to use locally grown produce goods when they are available. We love buying organic and are currently purchasing at least 90 percent organic." Besides being almost all organic, Sage's helps the environment by having 40 percent of its electricity coming from "Green Wind Power."

Sage's Cafe is a restaurant that will only continue to grow with time as humanity is slowly coming to the realization that healthy food is its friend. Food can comfort a person without the guilty mutterings of, "I knew I shouldn't have eaten that" escaping from his or her lips. Sage's owners will continue to thrive in the community that they care so much about because they care.

"Sage's Cafe will continue to evolve with the passage of time and never lose sight of our original mission. Our strongest commitment is our local community. Without the support of the Salt Lake and Utah community, Sage's Cafe would not exist."

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools