Worth the drive! Met a friend for lunch and we thoroughly enjoyed everything. We tried the buffalo cauliflower, "goat cheese" flatbread, hearts of palm "crabcake," and the chipotle bowl with sweet potatoes and avocado. Everything was good- but the flatbread was excellent. Caramelized onions and biting, briny olives with a bit of arugula and smoked cashew cheese. Really good. Menu was clear, options were explained, service was pretty standard. I'm really happy I finally got to try this place! Bonus: nearby shops (Nest and Roots) are fun for a quick wander-through, too.
(5)
A. D.
Came for brunch on Father's Day. Amazing food and atmosphere. The pierogi quesadillas are fantastic. The basil chicken salad is also a great dish - even had my father raving. Flavors are bold and delicious. There are also plenty of gluten and soy free options. I can't wait to come back and sample more dishes. Definitely a new favorite in the area for me. Worth trying and supporting this place!! Also there is an organic market, clothing store, pet supply, and wine store in the same shopping center - love it here.
As healthy eaters but non vegans and non vegetarians this was an experience for us. The food was much better than we expected. Except for the gluten free bagel I opted for we were pleased.
(3)
Stuart F.
Wow - this is place is really impressive. Excellent decor and environment, great service, reasonable prices, and most importantly, delicious food! I decided to skip fast food on a I-95 road trip and veer out toward this place, and I was really glad I did. The cauliflower buffalo wings were terrific. They happily gave my friend extra sauces to go with his entree. Now that I know how good this place is, I know it's worth a frequent drive from DC for a great dinner.
(5)
Melba M.
I love Great Sage! The food (quality, taste, presentation) rivals any fine dining establishment in the area and the servers have been consistently attentive. I love having the ability to choose anything from the menu and not worry about dairy or other animal by-products. The spinach-artichoke appetizer and adult mac-n-cheese are both far tastier than any traditional cheese-based version I've ever had. I struggle to not include one or both on nearly every dinner visit. I do wish you could order from either the lunch or dinner menu between 3 and 5pm, as I'm not overly impressed with the limited light fare selections. However, I've experienced full lunch, brunch and dinner regularly and love the varied selections. I don't think I've had one bad entree. I just wish they'd add french toast to the brunch menu. My only other criticism would be dessert, as these have been more often misses than hits for me. Nearly every cake I've tried has been dry and hard. I finally tried the chocolate lava cake because my husband had raved about it and gotten it three consecutive visits before switching to the Mahalo cake (his new fav - which I personally find too dry and hard, as well); but sadly when I ordered my lava cake, it was overcooked and dry -- very tasty, however, just not "lava-like." My favorite dessert was the coconut-based vanilla ice cream, but lately it seems to taste more like soy than coconut. It doesn't have the same creamy, luscious mouth-feel it used to have. If you're even remotely in the area, I'd highly recommend stopping by Great Sage, but I wouldn't feel compelled to save room for dessert.
(4)
Ricky H.
I recently had lunch at this wonderful organic cuisine located in the Concious Corner in Clarksville. Talk about yummy! I had the Thai 'chicken' Salad, which is tossed with soba buckwheat noodles, toasted almonds, mango, scallion, sesame, local corn, crisp romaine, peanut sauce and a light Thai-chili vinaigrette. Topped with crispy rice noodles. Pure deliciousness. To drink I had Super Green 'Live' Juice, juiced to order. Kind of like a Naked super green drink, only fresher and much better. At this time, Thursday nites are 1/2 priced wine and live music nites! Can't wait to try the dinner menu!
(5)
Miss C.
Had the bean chili with brown rice and spinach & cornbread with a side of apple/walnut strudel. Delish!! Waiters reminded me of something out of a French film...plus despite the cold quite a few folks w/infants. Classic!!
(4)
V In T.
WHY DO YOU HAVE TO BE SO FAR AWAY? Great Sage, i've been looking for you for years. food was amazing- i finally had a savory tofu scramble for the first time since the 90's. lots of food, lots of options and it was all GOOD. the biscuits and gravy are still sitting in my belly- in a good way. If this place was down the street i'd be there every other day. sadly, it is not.
(5)
HowChow B.
Great Sage in Clarkville comes with no meat, but a mess of hype from places like the WPost and the Sun. It's a vegetarian restaurant from the same people who own the Roots grocery, and the kitchen serves a seasonal menu of healthy, hearty food. This is a beautiful place. The decor is modern and understated with wooden carvings and a beautiful waterfall on the farthest wall. With one side facing trees, it pulls off sophisticated because it shows a little less parking lot than Aida Bistro or House of India. I'm prattling on because I'm not sure how to describe the food. I enjoy it. On my last trip, I went alone and ate slowly while reading a magazine. A Mexican-inspired appetizer with beans, brown rice and guacamole perched on a crisp tortilla. Then a Thai-inspired coconut-milk curry with tofu and squash. They were delicious. They were also relatively subtle, relying on the expectation that people who choose Great Sage are people who relish well-cooked winter squash. This isn't the spicy-sour zest that comes from Bangkok Delight's curries. It's a different cuisine that pushes the vegetable flavors to the front. My advice is to focus on dishes that look like vegetables -- the soups, the Mediterranean plate appetizer, the curries, the dishes that aren't masquerading as something specific. My one disappointing visit was the night that I ordered "bulgogi" and Mrs. HowChow ordered a "burger." We love those dishes. Great Sage doesn't serve them. It serves a soft vegetable patty on a roll and serves some kind of soy product in a mild sauce. The kimchi next to the soy product was delicious, but there wasn't really bulgogi or a burger on our table so our expectations made them disappointing.
(3)
Reda L.
First time...I love the environment, the dessert and alcohol. Food portion is a bit much, but it is a good price for what you get. I would go again and try something different.
(4)
Chuck F.
Great food, good atmosphere (reminds me of a deli for some reason) and great service. We opted for nachos as an appetizer which were fabulous... not everything is vegan, but the vegan-ize anything on the menu (don't be afraid to ask). Too bad Clarksville is so far away! Or maybe it's a good thing...
(4)
Andrea R.
Very fresh and great service. Reasonable children's options on the menu. We will definitely be back.
(5)
Adam G.
So I went here a few weeks ago and they have changed things a bit. The menu is tweaked, with some old favorites still on their but new stuff as well. Cornbread was amazing. Mostly, though, I noticed a marked improvement in service - the server was very prompt and we were frequently attended to without it being overbearing. The manager/owner also came by to check on everything and seemed to have a genuine interest in feedback, not just a canned hello how are you. The restaurant was moderately busy, but they handled all of it with ease, so kudos to changes. So...4.5 stars rounded up.
(5)
Ina C.
Me and Great Sage aren't a natural match. First, it's a 30-minute drive, mostly on a one-lane road. Second, it's in Clarksville. I didn't even know Clarksville existed before last night! Third, it's vegetarian! Even considering all these factors, I'm confidently giving this vegetarian/vegan restaurant four stars because I had a great time! I liked the overall feel of the place as soon as I walked in. Friendly people, slightly dimmed lighting and an open yet cozy dining room made me feel right at home. The menu was a little scary. All those vegetables! There aren't as many options as I'd hoped, but there was still quite a variety, especially since the dishes have some international influences (Thai, Indian). I ordered the southwest burger, and my friend had a salad and a small chili. The burger was really good, though the patty on its own is really crumbly and not so tasty. But the whole package - with the bun, guacamole, chipotle sauce - was really, REALLY good. It was a special that night, so I got my beer for $1! My friend's chili was really hearty and yummy! Even the side chili that we got was a pretty good portion. I can't imagine how big the regular chili is! The salad was a bit too limey and had a tex-mex twist, though it wasn't really supposed to according to the menu. Eh. We ordered the fudge chocolate cake thing with ice cream for our dessert, and this was TO DIE FOR. It came in a shallow, round dish (kinda like creme brulee), and it was moist, not too sweet and the perfect end to our meal. The service was really fantastic. I think her name was Veronica. She was patient, answered all of our questions, was there when we needed her and left us alone when my friend and I were deep in conversation. The bill came out to around $33. For organic, vegetarian/vegan food, we were surprised that it was so cheap! Dondra, the manager, came by with a pitcher of water to greet her guests, and when she found out that it was our first time there, she brought us a couple of coupons for the store next door! She seemed to be so genuinely friendly and happy that whatever reservations we had about the place melted away! I'd been eating crap for breakfast, lunch and dinner these days, and it was SO refreshing to get a healthy and filling meal in me! I highly recommend Great Sage to ANYONE.
(4)
Brittany P.
Had I not been so disappointed in the Grilled Reuben, it would've been 5 stars. Here's my review: whatthisveganeats.com/20… !
(4)
Hope V.
Absolutely love this restaurant. All of the food is vegan and organic, but still delicious! They have a wonderful atmosphere and offer both indoor and outdoor seating. Their mashed potatoes are so good they don't need butter of anything else added, the cornbread is sweet, and their rice ice cream sundae is a great dessert option. An expensive place, but absolutely worth it for healthy, delicious food.
(5)
barry b.
I have eaten here a number of times, which one has to do if he has vegetarian or vegan friends. This is a vegan restaurant. For example, you can't get milk for your coffee. Most of the food is extremely bland. Surprisingly, there are just a few dishes which are not bland and are quite tasty. If you like your food without spices you may like this restaurant a lot. The waitstaff is friendly but not well trained and slow to satisfy special requests. The water they give you is room temperature! There is a good variety of dishes, served in an attractive manner. The fruit shakes are very good but expensive for a small quantity. Perhaps that's because they use real fruit.
(2)
Kendrick H.
Saw the review in yelp, made the trek out to Clarksville from Bethesda for a lazy weekend brunch and I'm glad I did. (I recently transitioned from omnivore to pescatarian to vegetarian and I've been looking for interesting veg places to try out.) The brunch menu had plenty of variety, a good balance between breakfast and lunch selections, including specials. The food itself was flavorful and satisfying: the style of the vegetarian food here is more simple than gourmet (by simple, I mean that the dishes are designed to allow the natural flavors of the food stand out). Service was friendly and attentive, and the restaurant had a nice atmosphere to it: large windows let plenty of light in, nice wood tones on the walls. All in all, it was all I could ask for on a lazy weekend morning. I will definitely be back in the future, hopefully to try out their weekend special dinner entrees or to check out some of their beer/wine-pairing dinners.
(4)
MissEasy T.
Best vegetarian/vegan food in Maryland. I'm in the City and make a special trip for this place. Service always attentive. Nice atmosphere. I go back every chance I get.
(5)
Katherine I.
Friendly, fresh, and flavorful this vegetarian restaurant is great for lunch or a meatless dinner with friends. The place has a fresh look and feel, very open dining area, and nice small bar. Cocktails and other beverages are mixed well and served promptly. The service is good but can get a little slow when things get busy. I admit I'm no vegan but the chipotle vegan mayonnaise is one of the best mayonnaises I've had. I recommend the southwestern burger and the meatloaf. I have not had a single bad soup. Each one was individual. They will make anything vegan for you if you wish. And try and leave room for dessert!
(4)
Tina J.
I really enjoyed the Artichoke Spinach Dip and the Thai "Chicken" Wrap.
(4)
Kedar D.
I liked the atmosphere, concept and location of this restaurant. Service was friendly and prompt. But the food didn't stand out in my mind. My tomato tofu curry was a poor approximation of an Asian dish (though it was called a "fusion" dish) and makes me wonder if I shouldn't have ordered the meatloaf instead. My friend's penne-basil dish was much tastier, which gives me a hint that this place does European/American food better than any other genre on its menu. Our Earth Day-special "dirt cake" was minty, moist and delicious; our carrot cake, however, was mediocre and its frosting was overpowering. On a whole, I think Great Sage can improve, but they seem to be on the right track and I appreciate that they opened up in a difficult, remote, suburban area.
(3)
Ann S.
Being vegetarian and being vegan- two totally different animals. I am vegetarian, so I was looking forward to a place that had roasted vegetables, some sort of yummy grain like quinoa.. not trying to fake meat. The special for the night I went was "crab cake", made from artichokes. I do not like artichokes, (does that make me a bad vegetarian?), so when I asked the waiter if it tasted like artichokes he said "no, when I tried it, I thought it was crab". When I tasted it, I tasted chickpeas, and I'm not even sure it they were in there. The dish I got was luke warm, as if it was one of the last special plates of the evening. My dining friend ordered a dish that was supposed to be served with garlic whipped potatoes. They were chunky at best. The service was ok- somewhat slow, but they were busy. The food... I've had better. I ate at Tower Oaks the next night and had stuffed peppers. It was a much better meal, and still vegan. With a plethora of vegetables, why try so hard to make meat out of them?
(3)
Daniel S.
This is my second favorite vegetarian restaurant. My non-vegetarian family loves it, and we've driven up from Virginia just to go because it's that good. It might be a good place to take vegetarian-skeptical friends/relatives over any other restaurant in the area. That said, I do think location is kinda bad unless you live in Columbia. Eat their lava cake. It's better than any non-vegan ones I've ever had.
(5)
Jeff A.
This is one of my favorite restaurants. What they do with vegan food is amazing. It's healthy, tasty, and the presentation puts it a step above most other places close by. Regardless of whether you are a vegetarian or simply an open-minded diner, this place has something for everyone. The service is generally great. Thursday night they have 1/2 price wine bottles - can't complain about that. I particularly am enjoying their raw menu recently. Had the Navajo Tacos along with the California Rolls. I have no idea how they made the taco shells, but they were fantastic.
(5)
J H.
Maybe this is a bias review... maybe not. I'm not very keen with mother nature. Although, I did start shopping at Whole Foods and I use those reusable bags instead of plastic. That's the closest I'll get to raw, organic, vegetarian, vegan, whatever. So you may ask, how did a person like me end up at Great Sage? I had no freakin idea what type of food they served... Boy, was I disappointed. I got the reuben... thinking that it had meat in it. Why the heck would you name a vegetarian sandwich a "reuben"? Pastrami, sauerkraut, thousand island goodness comes to mind when I think of reuben. Not chick peas... I rest my case. For you foodies that are into eco friendly lifestyles, this may be the "it" place for you. For everyone else... there is a Wendys and McDonalds near by.
(2)
Alexis G.
3.5 stars I had heard a lot about this place, so stopped here on my way home from Philadelphia. It's not too far off 95 so it was an easy pit stop. The menu was much smaller than I thought it would be, and the drink selection was just OK. My friend ordered the meatloaf, and it was not very good, I wouldn't recommend. I had the chili, which was pretty good. I would recommend that. We also had the guacamole appetizer, which was also pretty good. Overall, I was not wowed by the place. I was hoping it would be more like Red Bamboo in NYC. Don't get me wrong, though, I would come here again.
(3)
Deb L.
I don't get the hype. I have a (omnivore) friend who loves this place and recommended it to me. The waitress was fantastic - friendly, remembered our orders without having to write them down, and extremely helpful. However, the only thing that stuck out in my mind about my meal was the smoothie I had ordered -- it was fantastic. Unfortunately, the rest of the food was not. The portions were small and the food was also rather bland. The place gets a thumbs up for being organic, but was overall, not very memorable. Great decor, but I don't go to a restaurant for the decorations.
(3)
Susannah S.
The only downside of Great Sage is the time and distance of the pilgrimage, but it's 5-stars-worth it. Seasonal menus, fun cocktails, and of course the *entire* menu from which to choose. The staff is funky-friendly and always very gracious to roll me out the front door every time I leave. Pool your gas money and give it a shot.
(5)
Alyssa B.
Delicious. I have been here for dinner and for brunch and both were amazing. Both times I went with carnivores and they were happy with their meals as well. It can get pricey but if you're up for a small splurge, you won't be disappointed. The staff was very nice as well and friendly.
(4)
Aaron S.
Without exaggeration, Great Sage is one of the best restaurants I have ever been to. The food is purely vegan and tastes fantastic. The prices are very reasonable. The service is first rate. The ambiance is very nice and makes you feel relaxed from the moment you walk in. The staff are all incredibly nice, helpful and professional. And to top it off, every Thursday night there is a different live band, which plays jazz, folk, blues and classics. I drive all the way from DC and my girlfriend all the way from Baltimore just so we can go to this restaurant. Highly recommend you check it out for yourself!
(5)
Sunmy B.
Though I am your typical carnivore and love meat, this is the only vegan restaurant that I can say I am a fan of. Each time I go to Great Sage, the food is fresh, appetizing, and you don't even realize you are eating vegan. There is a huge selection offered on the menu. I particularly like their wraps and eggplant dishes. It's a great place to go for lunch and kid-friendly too. The service is great and of course, the restaurant has a very earthy, zen feel.
(4)
Stephanie G.
Perfect for vegans and everyone else! They have interesting, healthy dished that use veggies and grains very creatively, but a picky/boring eater could do well there too. LOVE Sunday brunch and dinner.
(5)
Elizabeth S.
Since my last review, I have been here again twice - once for dinner again and another time for breakfast. As far as dinner, I had the chicken tostadas again and they were just as good as last time. The service, however, was lacking on the first run of just about everything. Ordered wine, my glass was dirty. Not smudged in an unnoticeable way, as sometimes wine glasses are, but straight up dirty. Since I wasn't able to flag down our waiter, I went up to the bar and the situation was swiftly corrected. As far as my dinner, well...the waiter dropped half of it on the floor. Fast forward 20 minutes to my new plate of food, with extra 'chicken' and half of my first run of dinner still laying on the floor. It's true. They didn't actually bother to clean it up. The reason they still get 4 stars is that they corrected both mistakes without hassle or complaint. Perhaps my standards have dropped since moving to Miami, but this is a big deal to me. For breakfast another time, I had the Chef's Pottata of the Day. I forget what was in it, but it was decent. Although I slathered it with ketchup and hot sauce for seasoning purposes (a little bland). The coffee was some of the best I've had and they offer soy and coconut milk creamers. We also ordered the Decadent Cinnamon Roll, which was seriously delicious. We shared it between 4 of us as an appetizer. I think if i tried to down the whole thing myself I would get sick. Another person at the table had the Huevos Rancheros and it was pretty good. We also ordered drinks. Throwing caution to the wind, because we all have seriously high standards for Bloody Mary's, that's what we ordered. This was a big mistake. They were awful. Watered down and cheap vodka (maybe, I'm not all that sure what kind they used). It was basically the worst Bloody Mary I've ever had. We let our waitress know that we weren't happy and she was very apologetic and replaced them with tMimosa's at once. They were amazing and refreshing. The orange juice tasted freshly squeezed and there was just the right amount of champagne in them. I'll be back since I'm always willing to give second chances, but I have to admit, I'd want their dinner options far more than their brunch.
(4)
Mike C.
We appreciate the uniqueness of the place - organic, vegan. As vegetarians, we were thrilled with the many different choices. The restaurant deserves kudos for serving thoughtful dishes to an audience that is frequently ignored at other places. My wife had a Thai dish (some parts good, some OK, $14). I had a southwestern salad (pretty darn good tofu and delicious all around, $11) with a side of good-tasting, but dry cornbread, $4. The kids shared a kids meal with mac and vegan "cheese" (creamy, but "off tasting" if you're expecting real cheese taste, $6) that came with a side of broccoli. The bread consisted of four disappointing small and cool slices and came with dipping oil. My wife and kids shared a very good Mango Lassi ($6). The service started off cool, but was friendlier near the end. Oddly, warm water was served (there was no ice in the pitcher), and I had to ask for a cup of ice. For us, the price is too high to make regular visits. With tax and tip - $50 and I had a salad and no drink, and my kids split a meal. Still, it's good to know Great Sage is there....
(3)
Naomi S.
Eh. If you're vegan and want something special this is about it. If you're vegetarian or omnivorous there is better. Cheaper too. I thought the cinnamon bun was a bunch of white bread which was vaguely introduced to cinnamon and a huge dollop of sour cream based sauce. Wait staff is very earnest. The coffee was good.
(3)
Denise F.
Great Sage is the BEST restaurant I have ever been to. Super amazing food like raw portabello steaks with cashew cream sauce. Super amazing cocktails made with organic blackberry juice. Super friendly servers! I've had great conversations with them, AND I saw a nice young waitress gently assist a bug to the outdoors. I love that. And super amazing dessert: cinnamon fruit crisp, it was perfect! Just what I like! But get there a little early so you have time to shop at Roots market which is righ next door. They're great too!
(5)
Carol B.
This is my favorite go-to spot for guaranteed great vegan food. The only drawback is that it's a little more pricey than I think it's worth. I suggest going the water-only route and it'll be better. A vegan/vegetarian's paradise still, however.
(4)
V. S.
We used to dine here routinely, 2-5 times per month, despite frequently inattentive service (we watched our plates grow cold under the heat lamps while our server was nowhere to be found more than once) and the occasional moldy lemon or bug in the food, because we want to support vegan businesses. Further, Great Sage frequently shares a portion of sales on a particular day with a charity that helps animals. However, after a dissatisfying series of exchanges with one of the managers after which we felt completely unappreciated as customers, we haven't been back since the spring of 2010. Fortunately there are many restaurants in the area that serve excellent vegan food. Liquid Earth in Baltimore, and Busboys and Poets in Hyattsville (not vegan but delicious vegan choices on the menu) are among favorites.
(2)
Renee S.
I want to give this place a 5 because it's one of the very few vegan options in the area. We drove out to here from Baltimore city to give it a go. I had the LENTIL-WALNUT GRIDDLE CAKE and my vegan dining partner had their special -- a vegan burger with sweet potato fries. Both, just ok. Not horrible, but nothing to get excited about. The service was excellent. The food came out super fast. I loved my glass of reisling and the dessert was great (Carrot Cake). But, the dinner itself, meh. I like to think I'd come back. But, it's quite a haul from B'more for an ok meal.
(2)
Ela B.
Absolutely delicious experience. The atmosphere was beautiful, the wine was good (despite being organic!), and the ginger mojito cocktail was delicious. The food? Now that was amazing. Tempeh, greens, potatoes, turnips, chipotle sauce, mmmm. There were mushrooms in at least half the dishes. I'm really not a mushroom fan and was able to order mostly around them, but I'm pretty sure the greens had truffle oil (and they were so good, I didn't even complain at all!). Someone else mentioned to stick with the things that are supposed to be vegetables, and I'd agree -- we had a quesadilla made with vegan cheese that was tasty, but not nearly as delicious as the rest of the food. The service was a bit lacking, but that could have been because the waitress thought we wanted to be left alone or because the place was hopping. When it took them a few minutes to come over and take our order at the beginning, our drinks were (very unexpectedly) comped. Beautiful. I intend to stop in whenever I'm going up 95 or 295 -- no more Arundel Mills for lunch!
So much potential but poorly executed. In full disclosure, I live in San Franciso, was visiting Baltimore and decided to try Great Sage since I am accustomed to eating local organic produce all the time in the bay area. Sadly, Great Sage is no comparison to local organic restaurants in Northern CA. I'm not sure if it is because the produce just isn't as good as in CA or if chefs in CA are just better able to prepare it, but the food was just plain blah at Great Sage. We started with the Vietnamese Spring Rolls, which were pretty boring (just julienned vegetables wrapped in rice paper(?)) unless drenched in the accompanying sauce. We also had as an appetizer the California Rolls - again pretty bland and nothing to write home about. Of the three main courses we had, only one was any good - the pasta dish. The chili was very dry. My 'crab cake' was nothing special and the potatoes it came with were terrible (and it is pretty hard to screw up potatoes, in my humble opinion). Even the asparagus, which I think was grilled, had little flavor to it - I think they just grilled it naturally, but even putting just some organic olive oil and sea salt on it would have made it 10 times better. For dessert, we had the chocolate mousse that was so incredibly bitter that I had to take some of the soy cream from my father-in-law's berry dessert and icing from my mother-in-law's to cake to sweeten it up. The berry dessert was actually not too bad, although the cream was clearly not real cream, which in fairness, they didn't advertise it to be. I personally don't like carrot cake but tasted my mother-in-law's because it was gluten-free and found that it was actually not too bad. We had the green and red iced teas to drink- I wish they would have told us that the green tea was not regular green tea but some sort of fruity blend - had I known, I would have just stuck with water and been happier. All in all, a disappointing experience. I was truly hoping to show my mother-in-law that eating healthy doesn't have to taste bad, but unfortunately Great Sage did nothing to help me convince her of that. Tip to the owner/chef - if you really want to have phenomenal success with your business, study up on the whole local organic movement by Alice Waters of Chez Panisse in Berkeley, CA....
(2)
John S.
Excellent vegetarian restaurant. I stay away from the meat substitute dishes, but really have enjoyed all the other dishes. I have been a few times and service is always very, very slow. Is it me or do vegetarian restaurants always seem to have slow service? They are related to Roots Organic Market, Nest Gift Shop and Bark (a natural pet store) all in the same shopping center. Quite a nice little organic oasis.
(4)
Catherine C.
It is worth a short drive to eat here and get some good prepared food at Roots next door. I wouldn't name this one of my favorite restaurants, but I always go here when I am in town because of the following reasons: - the food is constistenly good, I agree that it sometimes can be bland - the menu is always changing - good wine menu for value & veg food - filling portions w/o feeling stuffed or like you consumed 5000 calories I would suggest going there for lunch or a non-fancy dinner. They do have a little patio that is nice when the weather is. They do not have a full liquor license.
(4)
Cristy L.
What a treat! I ordered the Santa Fe Burger Platter and it came out looking like a starfish. Classy presentation. And delicious as well. I'm not really a fan of tempeh anything, but the tempeh bacon was my favorite part of the burger. I enjoyed my entree more than my dessert, which is odd. I had the Apple Tart with vanilla rice cream, but the cardamom threw it off. My friend had the Hot Fudge Lava Cake so I ended up smashing some of that onto my apple tart which was very helpful in silencing that loud cardamom. Our mullet-haired waitress was pretty excellent and cute (what?). She was very eager to elaborate on the dishes and provide suggestions, and was overall very attentive. I enjoyed the somewhat pricey food and relaxing atmosphere. I'm up for brunch next time I'm in town.
(4)
Emmet T.
Our first visit to Great Sage was pretty great. Not a single appetizer or main course disappointed anyone of my family of four that dined there this eve. The chocolate (something) layer desert with vegan ice cream was exquisite. The Cabernet Sauvignon my wife had was moderately priced but very good beyond it's price range. My wife loved their Wellington, and our daughter raved about the bean quesadilla. The artichoke appetizer almost caused a brawl between us fighting for it once we tasted it. All in all everything was very good, but 5 stars should be reserved for something truly exceptional, and Great Sage was close. We'd like to come back for the outisde dining on a warm eve.
(4)
M M.
Great Sage is generally a great vegetarian restaurant. Always several very tasty vegan choices. This is a place where vegetarian does not mean boring, bland, gooey, not-filling food. The menu is always interesting and adventurous. Beautiful presentation. Fresh, flavorful and fun dishes. The service is always friendly but sometimes very slow...a little inconsistent, especially at brunch. The brunch menu is kind of hit or miss. Some things sound better on the menu then they actually are, like the french toast. However, anything with veggie scramble is delicious. Try it even if you're not a vegetarian, it hits the spot! Also, we love Daiya cheese. It is the best vegan cheese ever. The quesadillas and italian dishes come out great with Daiya! This is a cozy little place with great food. Don't be afraid of it if you're a meat eater. You'll be surprised how much you like it!
(5)
Jen S.
The food is great here. And the Carrot Cake is amazing! Have been here a few times. Always like the meal and love that there are so many great options as a vegetarian.
(4)
Geena K.
Great Sage is an awesome restaurant. They use organic produce which is a bonus and a rarity in restaurants. The atmosphere is on the nicer side and the dishes are a bit on the higher side but fairly priced. They have lots of vegetarian and vegan items on the menu. There are also gluten free options for those that follow gluten-free diets. I think its very non-vegetarian friendly as well. Although they have vegan options for many of vegetarian dishes, I've been most happy when I've stuck with the vegan dishes rather than going for the vegan option of their vegetarian dishes. The portions are a good size and I've always gone home with some leftovers although I usually will indulge in an appetizer as well. If I feel like I want dessert, I'll order a piece of carrot cake to go home. The carrot cake is REALLY good and I highly recommend it. For those of us in the DC metro, this restaurant may be a bit off the beaten path but I do think its worth the visit. I don't mind driving an hour for good vegan food.
(4)
Briana W.
get OUTTA here how good this is. oh my gosh, i would be here daily if i lived closer. wow
(5)
Katie T.
I have trouble dragging my meat-eating friends to this vegetarian/vegan restaurant, but they enjoy the food once they get there. Dishes don't feel like they're missing anything. The entrees that incorporate meat substitutes like seitan don't struggle to taste exactly like meat, and are better for it (it's kind of creepy for me to eat something that resembles chicken anyway, even if I know it's not really meat.) The jerk seitan (and variations on that flavor combination, like the barbeque entree that was on the menu maybe a year ago) is my favorite--the combination of collard greens, tart and vinegary seitan, and tomato chutney is perfect. I've enjoyed the Americana meatloaf and the Indian vegetable cakes; I remember the Thai stir-fry as good but nothing special. Desserts are trickier. The hot fudge lava cake is good, but not guaranteed to be liquid on the inside (I've had it a few times). The fruit crisps seem to be composed of perhaps a little too much whole-grain. Service is good, prices are a little high, but if you're vegetarian, you can eat there time and time again without getting bored (or at least, I can).
(5)
Geo N.
Amazingly delicious all vegan cuisine in a fun, friendly environment. Eaten breakfast takeaway and today eating lunch. Friendly service, overwhelming choices as a vegan and looking forward to coming for live music date night. Holy cowfree- the "chicken" pot pie is AMAZING- savory, saucy, warm deliciousness. I want more!! The bartenders- Rob & Colleen are super sweet and generous with ideas, too. Get extra cauliflower on the buffalo salad as you'll love it. Yummy!!!
(5)
Aviva A.
Absolutely wonderful, upscale restaurant!
(5)
Bryony B.
This place is great organic food. Plus, the best thing? How many organic restaurants are out there that you can actually afford?! This is one of the few I know of probably due to its location in Clarksville. But I think its definitely worth the trip...especially if you need to stop by Roots Market, Nest or Bark....I'm all about it! I was so excited to see they had organic cocktails...thats a first for me and I see myself as an expert in finding affordable organic cuisine. I've tried the pancakes and the chili and cornbread here. I thought it was all great. I also ended up getting a free glass of organic wine when I came here because my receipt from roots market had a coupon at the bottom of it....check it out if you shop at roots. The staff has always been really pleasant and I think the atomosphere is nice, although maybe a little small. I don't think it ever gets too crowded though. Added bonus...they have outdoor seating that i will try next time I go (it was cold outside when I went).
(5)
Kelly M.
Favorite local restaurant. Awesome soups. I try and go 3-4 nights a month for dinner. Really excellent.
(5)
F D.
This was my second trip to Great Sage. Tonight I had the "special", a stack of veggies. Unfortunately, it was bland and I didn't like it. My wife had the the Southwest burger. Although it looked great - it was also quite bland. I recommend sticking with the lite-fare - salads, soups & sandwiches.
(2)
Bryan P.
we understand the philosophy here, and we're happy to support them, but if they would just lower the prices a smidge, we'd visit much more often. still, if you're looking for a "fancy" night out, this place will give you all the delicious vegan food you can handle. just prepare yourself for a hefty fill.
(4)
Ryan G.
Indoor eating area is nice but a bit crowded; the outdoor seating is much better. Portions are small and somewhat expensive. Dessert is excellent.
(4)
Sara A.
Probably my favourite place I've eaten since moving to Columbia. Everything I've ever had there has been delicious, the serving staff are always prompt and friendly, food is fresh and cocktails on offer are always seasonal and always amazing!
(5)
kathy d.
I love this place. I've been twice and will continue to go. I've had the hummus, soup, caesar salad and apple brown betty. My husband loves this place too. The decor is nice and comfortable. It's right next door to a nice market so you can shop while you wait for a table.
(5)
Louise N.
I have ventured form DC a few times now to eat here. I think if you have the right expectations, your experience will be OK. The first thing to note, this is not a Candle Cafe, Counter, Candle 79, Blossom, or other NYC restaurant etc.. Not even close, not in the same league. If you can get those comparisons out of your head you'll have a better chance of enjoying it. The food is OK. They start out by serving regular baguette bread. While fine, it's boring and unimaginative. They should serve something more memorable like fresh focaccia. I recently got their "chicken" parm special and like a few others have mentioned, the food is kind of like what you'd make at home. I got a pre-made/packaged faux chicken breast sprinkled with vegan cheese on a bed of bow tie pasta with a red sauce and a very small amount of cut up squash mixed in. The same chix patties are for sale at the Roots market next door. It tasted fine and I like getting out. Just nothing to write home about. My husband got the tamale but to be honest, the flavors weren't great and Amy's frozen vegan tamale is better. Sangria was strong but I enjoyed it. Dessert was so-so. We first got the vegan mocha cake thing. It was hard and dry and I honestly could not believe it was served, even more so at $9.00. We returned it and tried to order the carrot cake which they were out of. Then the sever mentioned the lava cake which was not on the menu but we had eaten it before. The lava cake is really rich, fresh and yummy and it saved the day. Service has been fine. No problems there. We'll go back next time we get a Zipcar or borrow a car from someone. No non-ethnic mostly vegan food place in DC exists that we like. Vegetate is not very good unfortunately.
(3)
kara h.
Fantastic. Gluten free and Vegan. Desserts are GF/Vegan, beers are GF. Wonderful fresh food.
(5)
Francesco D.
What I want to stress the most to anyone who is thinking of going to Great Sage is that the Manager, Dondra, is AWESOME! Not only is she beautiful, with fantastic curly hair, but she really knows how to make people feel good. I have never experienced the sincere concern for my happiness from anyone in the restaurant business. Thank You Dondra, I wish you all the peace and joy life can offer.
(5)
Eric P.
Excellent vegetarian restaurant, easily worth the drive from Baltimore. While infected with a bit of DC-pretentiousness, its not overbearing. The food is great, but not overly fancy, and the staff is friendly.
(4)
Nicole M.
My very favorite restaurant in the whole world. Beautiful atmosphere, attentive service, and delicious, fresh, consistently great food. A tad pricey, but worth it.
(5)
justin p.
This place is really good, if kind of out of the way. They are friendly and always have creative entrees. And, I absolutely love their tea - with kind of a vanilla taste, I think. Desserts are good too. Can't wait to go back!
(5)
Christina S.
I am most definitely a carnivore, loving me some meat, but I am definitely a lover of veggies, and having friends who eat Vegan, I was excited to try what Great Sage had to offer. First off, I noticed that the staff, from our hostess to our server, were super friendly and helpful with offering suggestions for what to order. We decided to start off with the Artichoke Spinach Crostini and I helped myself to a cup of the soup du jour, a yummy lentil soup. Everything tasted so fresh, especially the artichokes! For my meal, I decided on the Mediterranean Plate (actually listed as a starter on the menu). It was fantastic! The dolmas, artichoke hearts, kalamata olive tapenade, hummus, marinated red onion, toasted nan bread and sheep's milk feta were delish! It was definitely very filling. We saved some room for dessert though. I decided to try the "Taste" which is described on the menu as a "petite seasonal custard". That night, the selection was an orange chocolate mousse topped with chocolate ganache...so good! I also stole bites of the Apple Tart a la mode (a little heavy on the cardamom for my taste) and the Hot Fudge Lava Cake A la Mode (which was very good). Overall, my experience at Great Sage was great!
(4)
dave h.
I am not a vegan or a militant vegetarian, although i do respect those that are, but this place is organic and vegetarian and most of the menu can be or is vegan. I am definitely a carnivore, but this place did satisfy me and was extremely tasty. I believe everything is homemade from scratch. They have really good southwest bean burgers, and schezuan (spel?) tofu and noodles. I have had their vegan ruben, which is made with tempe instead of corned beef and their vegan club sandwich is surprisingly tasty. My wife loves their salads, fresh greens and colorfully fresh and organic vegetables. They also have a kids menu which has some of the best organic mac and cheese, I have every tasted. My two nieces who are McDonald's kids (yuck!), loved their food and asked to go back next time they are at my house. Since I an alcohol fan, most of their beers and wines are organic. They carry Samuel Smith Organic, Wolvers Organic, and some Dog Fish flavors. They do run a happy hour, but i am not sure what is on it. They also have martini specials and other liquor and wine. I highly recommend this place to all meat eaters that are looking to try a little vegetarian in their lives. I have nothing bad to say about this place.
(5)
Graham C.
This new manager Scott is on the ball and amazing. Loving the new menu items as well. Keep up the good work Great Sage.
(5)
Mary D.
I was pleasantly surprised to see a warm, cozy bar/restaurant when I walked in to order the veggie chili for carry-out lunch. The chili was awesome and the cornbread complimented it perfectly. I'll be back for dinner soon and to try the wine and music!
(4)
Kristy L.
Although I used to occassionally eat here, my rating is based on my last visit to Great Sage - my last. My husband and I visited on a weekend afternoon a few months ago and ate some delicious food, as per usual. I can't even recall what we ate. What I can recall is that there were very few customers and the waiters still seemed slow and preoccupied. Not that big of a deal but it seemed like we couldn't even pay our bill to get my very pregnant self out of there. When my husband and I decided that it was time to go, we decided to leave a cash tip on the table and pay the bill by credit card at the bar by the front door. After signing the credit card slip and walking outside, the manager / waiter that had run my credit card came running out after us. When he caught up with us in the middle of the parking lot, he said, "Hey, why didn't you leave a tip???" I said, "We did. It's on the table...in cash." He said, "Oh, okay...just making sure." And he walked off. No, he didn't want to ensure that service had been satisfactory. And, no, he didn't apologize. Gratuity is an earned sum, not a mandatory fee. Yet somehow it became an issue worth chasing us down over, which would be very understandable if he had wanted to ask us if we were happy with our experience.
(1)
Gening L.
This place is great! The food is tasty, the menu is extremely creative, and it's an actual cute sit down restaurant as opposed to the take out vegetarian cafes that you find around the DC area. My table shared three dishes.. the black bean veggie burger, some seitan dish, and Indian potato cakes. Each dish came with several tasty sides. My favorites were probably both of the collard green sides (same vegetable but with different sauces), and a mashed sweet potato with coconut. The ingredients were fresh and flavors were great. The menu also tells you which items can be made vegan, so that's helpful when you have a mixed veggie group. I didn't get a chance to try the desserts, but the chocolate lava cake looked delicious.
(4)
xyzzy x.
I've eaten here numerous times and find the food can be "hit or miss." The kitchen is very inconsistent. However, the one consistency is the cost: it's consistently high, especially for what you get. Shaving $2-$3 dollars off the entrees would make them a lot more palatable.
(3)
Estelle S.
The food was very good. Sitting outside was a wonderful experience it's very nice and quiet. The waitress was very nice and friendly.
(5)
Ray W.
With 233 reviews and counting, what can I add to the conversation? Some quick observations: * Vegan yes. Family, hell yes. Bring the kids. * Service is always excellent. I have never had less than a delightful experience. * Seasonal menus are just that--seasonal. Sometimes they are awesome--as in I like every item. Other times, not so much--as in Autumn 2014's pumpkin-fest. (Not a fan). * Coffee in the mornings is a nice addition, as the coffee is excellent. * I seldom drink, but when I do I enjoy their clever cocktails. Worth experimenting. * Not sure that I am a fan of the new reservation policy. We shall see how that plays out...
(4)
Jayne M.
Like one of the other reviewers, I have had a truly excellent portabello mushroom sandwich on flatbread here at lunchtime, I'd like to see it served outside of regular lunch or dinner hours here when they are on their limited menu, and possibly some fancied up version for dinner too. I'm sure it would be a winner. I've had several meals here, probably about ten over the last year, and everyone who I've been here with who has had this sandwich has also raved about it, along with the accompanying potatoes. I've also enjoyed the regular men u item of the Indian cakes on several occasions, as well as lots of different kinds of soup, almost all souper :) Likewise the smoothies and also, they do a really excellent latte. The food here is some of the best Vegetarian cuisine I've ever had. The portions are on the small size, and sometimes if you order something bland sounding like ziti with cheese, well, bland is what you get. The food here can be expensive (but for high quality organic ingredients, I am willing to pay). Service can be slow but is always friendly. For a special and healthy meal this place is really great. I find something a bit odd about the tables/general atmosphere. Although tables seem well spaced and placed, I often find myself hearing or seeing more than I'd like to from neighboring tables. Maybe it's because the food takes a while to come out, so your attention wanders over. Anyway, I've rarely been disappointed with the food here.
(4)
Mary R.
When ever I am in the area I make a point to go to Great Sage, mostly because I use to work there and actually enjoy the food. Some dishes are always spot on, while others are lacking flavor and moisture. My favorite staples are: the Americana, tasty enough for even the most militant of carnivores, the Southwest Burger (I some times have dreams about this burger) with chipotle aioli, which makes a good dipping sauces for corn chips, and my last staple-the Thai stir fry.Luckily the menu changes subtly every few months and the desserts are really fabulous. Brunch is also fun here. The vegan quiche is tasty as are the cinnamon buns.The selection of wine, beer and cocktails is progressively improving in selection, they just need to be more creative at times, then again I am spoiled living in Seattle where the only thing we take more seriously then our coffee are our cocktails. Still they are improving. The service is very hit or miss depending on who is serving you; they are a few seasoned servers who are awesome (Kevin and Vanessa).
(3)
Dan H.
As an omnivore, I have been impressed everytime I have eaten here. I haven't taken many pictures, but I will start to. Everything from the pasta to the salad and sandwiches, the appetizers the drinks, the soups... amazing. Please come check this place out, I can tell you as a chef, it takes so much talent to do what they do using only vegan ingredients. Creative, delicious, inspired!
(5)
J M.
Incredible gourmet food at this vegetarian restaurant. All or most all of the food can be made vegan without want. Take it from this vegan connoisseur after two visits. Caesar salad was good. Garlic croutons had no taste of garlic and were not crisp and crunchy. Dressing was thick and interesting. Arugula pesto was complex with a lemony taste that worked. Corn bread was too gritty and dense for my taste. Cashew spinach was creamy with an Indian flavor. Spinach would be better if processed. Shake was way too thin to be good; very watery. Bloody mary was too powerful. Next time I'll try the virgin version. The sundae was comforting and satisfying. Don't be distracted by the cashew butter ingredient and try their homemade chocolate sauce. Sunday brunch had wonderful choices. Unfortunately you can not choose your flavor of pancake, which is always flavored, and never plain. Order the cinnamon rolls even if you are not a fan. Cinnamon rolls were absolutely out of this world. The best you will have anywhere. They are served warm, but I recommend you bring them home, and eat them out of the fridge. I got a side of sausage and biscuits and made my own sandwiches; a delight. Check out the menus at their online site. Service was slow, somewhat friendly, and generally professional. Management was inappropriate in this area but properly concerned. Pleasingly fit decor.
(4)
Amanda K.
My friend and I drove up here from VA because it was her favorite restaurant and she wanted me to try. We had a small wait before being seated but that wasn't a big deal since we weren't in rush. Do realize that this place is on the smaller side and gets packed quickly. I ordered the Grilled Vegetable Wrap: Grilled zucchini, eggplant and red peppers in a spinach tortilla with rosemary-lemon white bean hummus, mixed greens and smoky olive aioli. Served with harvest-roasted sweet potato salad. (Gluten- and soy-free options available.) I didn't read the description close enough because I am not a fan of olives and this wrap had a strong olive taste. Hence the olive aioli. This was my mistake. I did substitute the sweet potato salad for the swiss chard. The way the swiss chard was cooked wasn't very appeasing to me either. Now my friend insisted we order the hot lava cake for dessert. Now this cake is what dreams are made of. The cake is described as: Warm chocolate cake with a molten chocolate truffle center and topped with vanilla ice 'cream' and hot fudge (nut free). The vanilla ice cream was coconut ice cream so automatically it is good in my book. But the way the cake stayed warm while the ice cream melted was a great mouth mixture. I honestly expecting more from this place and not sure if it was because I ordered the wrong thing or not. I know that if I come here again I will order the hot lava cake.
(2)
Josh G.
Great Sage has a changing vegan menu with several consistently appearing items and a few that change. I've been on several occasions and have generally enjoyed my meals, but I've found that some of the most simple vegan choices tend to be more my liking. For example, I really enjoyed the bean/beet burger recently when that was offered, but found the risotto nothing remotely inspired and not unlike those available at Trader Joe's. The buffalo cauliflower appetizer is great, as are some of the other appetizer choices. Overall, it can be hit or miss here, but the service is good and the restaurant has a nice enough atmosphere. I haven't tried dessert here yet, but the servers always urge me too. Maybe next time.
(4)
Joe M.
A few weeks ago, I somehow agreed to join my wife and a few friends on a diet program that progressively transitioned to a vegan diet. I am almost exclusively a carnivore, and most of my help reviews revolve around warm, savory meat exploding in my mouth so I am not exactly sure how this happened, but strangely it did. Our same friends recommended Great Sage, after coming here several times and gave it the utmost praise. I cannot compliment this establishment enough. From the customer service that went out of their way to accommodate our son's wheelchair, to the patient and helpful suggestions of our server Rachel, to the delicious cuisine our experience was first rate. One thing I really enjoyed about Great Sage was that they were not a vegan place trying to replicate meat tastes and textures, but rather they re-imagined popular dishes to provide an alternative that was just as tasty and satisfying as any other restaurant to a meat loving fatty like me. I truly enjoyed my black bean and beet burger (and I never would have imagined I would admit something like that), my daughter enjoyed her pizza and we all indulged in Chocolate Lava Cake. My wife and other son ate their meals so fast I did not get a chance to take pictures and forgot what they had, but suffice to say they loved it. My wife actually loved it so much she went back the very next day with some friends! I have heard rave reviews about their crabcakes and other offerings, so we will definitely be back soon.
(5)
Tom M.
Great Sage is one of my very favorite restaurants. Don't go for brunch. Still to regular lunch and dinner but skip Sunday brunch. Great Sage is an elite restaurant but like most restaurants, its Sunday brunch menu is limited and not as good as their usual menu. My wife and I had the crab cakes. If you order any time besides Sunday brunch it comes as a single large crab cake with a great remoulade sauce. The brunch version was two very small crab cakes served with grits. I found the grits fine (though not served at a hot enough temperature) but my wife and her friend both disliked them. We also had the poutine which I really enjoyed but my wife was not too thrilled about. The meal somewhat redeemed itself when we ordered dessert, their classic chocolate lava cake which was awesome as usual. Great Sage is one of the best restaurants I have been to. I recommend avoiding Sunday brunch because so much of what makes it great is not available.
(5)
Kenneth D.
Had the pleasure of dinning here while I was doing my 'annual' vegan thing over the Lent season. This food here is awesome! If I could find a vegan restaurant like this everywhere, I truly believe that I would be vegan! We arrived for light lunch (what a great concept) prices were great, the staff was super too. I wasn't sure if my 88 year old mom would eat here and she loved everything she tried. The carrot cake is worth the drive from DC alone. I am not a vegan but I would happily eat here everyday. Keep up the great work! Looking forward to my next experience here, before the next Lent season.
(5)
Jessica N.
Well. I was very in love with Great Sage and I still really like the food. But today's downgrade is because of service issues. My daughter and I went to Great Sage this afternoon. The restaurant wasn't horribly busy. Most of the tables were seated outside as it is a beautiful day. Inside there was one lady who was eating at a table and a lot of staff at the front. We were allowed to choose our seats so my daughter chose her favorite seat and we waited. About five minutes after we were seated, another table came in and were seated too. This table had a child with them as well. About fifteen minutes passed by and I noticed that there wasn't even a server that came to our table. I looked over at the table seated after us and to my shock, they had water, coffee and had ordered their food. My six year old daughter looked at me and asked if we weren't being served because we were black and the other table was white. So I decided to leave. I'm not accusing the restaurant of being racist. But I am stating that there is a bias issue. I told the manager I was leaving and she apologized and explained that there was an issue that they were dealing with. That explanation would've been fine if ALL of the tables were waiting for food. But when you when you can serve one table and you choose the ones who came in after another table, there is a bias issue. As a vegan with very little options in Maryland, I will have to cross this off my list. And I used to come in many times. It is to the point where my daughter hugs the servers. Oh well.
(1)
Caitlin S.
Went here for my birthday dinner last Saturday and had an excellent time! Our server was very friendly and the food was great. We tried the raw kelp noodles and cornbread to start, and each chose a different entree. My roasted vegetables with romesco sauce was absolutely delicious!! And of course we had to get a piece of carrot cake to share for dessert. I love that this place is completely vegan but the food is still packed with flavor and creativity! It's a little pricey, but totally worth it.
(5)
Josh W.
I'm not a vegan, but for having a meal with someone with dietary restrictions, Great Sage is a spectacular choice. I'm not grading them on a steakhouse curve, because I do like meat, but they'd probably be a solid 4 star place for that anyways. There are plenty of selections on the menu that'll help you forget that you're dining in an unusual way, whatsoever. I had the buffalo bites as an appetizer, some delicious black Thai noodles for my main course, and got to share some good "Adult Mac and Cheese" and an apple spice cake, and had a bite of an Indian dish that was a daily special and measured up well with an Indian restaurant (which themselves have plenty of vegan options). The decor is really fun and inviting. If you're hesitant, I highly encourage you to tamp down your doubt and give this place a shot. As a bonus, after your meal, you can pick up some awesome vegan cookies and craft ginger beer at Roots Supermarket about 20 yards away, for non-restaurant prices.
(5)
Lindsay V.
Best vegan food ever! It's definitely worth the trip. All of the food is fantastic. The brunch is excellent - they have the best cinnamon roll with cashew cream. For dinner, their mac and cheese is excellent. They also make delicious seitan dishes. It is a bit pricey, but if you go on Thursday night, they have half price bottles of wine and live music.
(5)
Michael G.
In the middle of nowhere in Maryland lies what might as well be a vegan commune (but with money). Anchoring a mall filled with organic pet food and a hipster grocery store is this fancy vegan restaurant. My lady and I made our way out here for her birthday brunch. Since it was cold outside, I was really craving some veggie soup. Especially chili. I was in luck since that day they were serving it as one of their rotating brunch options. What I got was a plate of steamed vegetables, some beans, and some quinoa. It was spiced well enough to break through the cold but being able to eat my chili with a fork was not what I was looking for. Especially at almost as much as an entree and in a very small bowl. The corn bread on top, however, was delicious. And the plates of other food going by looked very tasty, with much larger portions. Which just made my situation worse. I would probably make a return trip though. The mood here is definitely that of a meat eating brunch place without the meat and that's a rarity it the vegetarian scene. There's no "we're overly Earthy" vibe and if one didn't know better, they wouldn't even know walking in that it was a vegan eatery. And the birthday girl liked her food which was the most important thing so I can't hate this place for making her birthday lunch memorable.
(3)
Rob A.
I used to live in manhattan where Starbucks is in every corner. I have been hugely frustrated with such badly made coffee at Starbucks (it is always cold, too much milk/too little coffee, paper cups...so on). Shame on Starbucks! Well, welcome to Greatsage, my new discovery! I was pleasantly surprised to have a great cup of coffee at this place. It was nice HOT and had perfect ratio of coffee and milk. And, it was served in a beautiful non-paper mug!!! Even though it is a restaurant, this place was very accommodating of only ordering coffee and dessert.
(5)
Freddy M.
Food was great. Was delivered in a timely manner. I went during lunch time and it was fairly full. Waiter was nice. Food could have a tad bit more flavor. But not bad. Loved to have had the chance to eat out side but I was right next to a window so it's all good.
(4)
Sensei M.
We are regulars at Great Sage mainly because it's the only vegan option in Columbia, MD. The quality of dishes covers the spectrum. We have had great items ( Thai coconut curry and artichoke nicoise), so-so items (papas bravas and vindaloo), and ones we wished we had never ordered (fried pickles and pumpkin burger). They have recently added a few raw vegan items. I'm looking forward to trying them. I wish they would be braver with the seasoning. The papas bravas that we had this evening would have been fantastic if the tomato sauce had had a kick. Open up a bottle of Sriracha and add some flavor, please!!!! Use some fresh ground black pepper. Something, anything! I don't think it's fair to ask customers to spend $90 on a meal and serve them senior citizen spice levels. My son specifically asked that his vindaloo be extra spicy. Guess what? Not spicy at all. I had the artichoke nicoise this evening and it was the best thing I've had there. The artichoke cake (think vegan crab cake consistency) and olives were so delicious. The grilled tomato was plump and bursting with flavor. The potatoes were crisp and the mushrooms had an excellent flavor. The service was a little bumpy but we understand that sometimes things happen. The staff was friendly and accommodating. The outdoor seating is lovely in the spring and early summer.
(4)
elsa k.
Human hairs are probably not considered vegan!!!The last two visits here we have discovered long human hairs inside our meals :( The first time we mentioned it to the mgr they apologized and assured us they just ordered hair nets. Two weeks later tho, we made the same unfortunate discovery! It's a shame since we frequent this restaurant a Iot with our vegetarian family members. We used to rather enjoy this place as the food is generally fresh and pretty tasty but I'm a little hesitant to return now. **Update** and response to restaurant comments--- My sister dined here again, this time without us- and for a THIRD meal in a row here found another human hair within their food. Appalling! And in regards to their recommendation that we notify the manager- as noted in the post we did just that the first time. The second time we did not as the mgr seemed annoyed with us the first time tho he offered free dessert. What a disappointment and embarrassment to the establishment :(
(1)
Nikki W.
I'm not a vegan nor a vegetarian but we checked out this place and really enjoyed our food. I had the mushroom risotto...Very creamy and comforting on a cold night. My friend had the Thai curry noodles...so flavorful and SPICY! My fiance had the tacos pastor and loved it. We somehow found room for dessert and had the lava cake and this sugar cookie-type cake...so good! Oh and they have a nice drink selection!
(4)
Nina U.
If you love vegetarian food, you're probably used to searching far and wide to find delicious fresh food that's better than what you can make at home. I would drive to Clarksville all the time if I ate out every day. It's not even that far from everything, just take 32 West and you'll pretty much drive right into Clarksville and this shopping center. The ambiance is fabulous and they put a lot of thought into the place. It's clean and relaxing and it's hard to choose what to eat off the menu. I suggest going with a group so you can taste each others meals (if your friends are cool like that). The raw juices are a little expensive ($6 for a small glass) but they are delicious and I rarely find raw juice when I'm eating out. The Super Green Live Juice is the best. I also ordered a salad with a puff pastry on it- amazing!
(5)
Apple C.
I didn't even know that I liked vegan food until I started eating at Great Sage. I definitely don't miss the meat and even though I love cheese and would normally miss the lack of cheese on, for example, a pasta dish, the flavors and combinations offered on this menu always pop! Out of all of the times we have eaten here, there is only one dish that I would not order again (a squid ink pasta dish that isn't currently on the menu). It wasn't bad, just not my cup of tea. If you are looking for a unique and delicious experience, you should eat here.
(5)
Natasha S.
I had always wanted to try this place but never got around to it. Primarily because for a long time, we lived a whiles away and just recently we moved within 20 miles of this wonderful restaurant. One rainy night, I was able to convince my carnivore lover to dinner here with me on a Thursday night. Because it was a Thursday, I didn't expect that the restaurant would be busy. I was so wrong. Apparently, Thursday is half off bottles of wine and live music. Either way, we scored. We didn't have reservations and had to wait for a table, but it didn't take more than 10 minutes to be seated. I will admit, I was STARVING so this specific night, a 10 minute wait felt like an hour. We were seated at a tiny table between two very large tables. Our dining neighbors were so loud that we had to talk over them to have a conversation. And as a result, they looked over and glared multiple times. It really was a no win situation. This isn't a small restaurant but they could work on spacing the tables out more, or expanding if it would help with business. Because it was very uncomfortable for us to enjoy our meal, have a conversation, hear the server, hear the live music clearly AND even be able to utilize our table space. So for that I had to give them one less star. The service was good overall, but the server took forever to take our order. And it seemed like she was running around from table to table, so she forgot to bring us drinks. But she had a good attitude and was very friendly! Now on to the BEST part! The food! Their menu is seasonal, so when it comes to entree's they have a limited selection. Everything I wanted to try on their Yelp review photos were not available. They have an excellent coffee and milkshake menu. I love that they offer coconut milk and almond milk, over the standard soy option. For our appetizer, we ordered the spinach artichoke dip. It was delish! It came with delicious toasted multi-grain crusty bread. The spinach artichoke was fresh and good, and very lemon-y. My entree was the Thai coconut curry and it was DA SHIT. It had baby bok choy, purple cabbage, broccoli and zucchini roasted and was tossed in a red curry coconut cashew cream served with brown Basmati and topped with an herb and micro green salad. It's the perfect amount of spice, heat and flavors. I had to eat it as slow as possible so I could savor the delicious flavors. In the end, the portion was so generous, I ended up taking it home for lunch the next day and again..... AMAZING! Even the next day! MMMMM! My fiance had the the mushroom Stroganoff which she thought was really good. Generous amount of mushrooms and the potato gnocchi tasted very really fresh. The only thing I didn't like about it was how salty it was. If they could make it less salty, it'd be on point. But I loved the different mushrooms they used. For dessert, we had a pumpkin pie smoothie made with coconut ice cream. It was good, but definitely something I could make at home. I probably wouldn't do this one again. Everything on their menu looked fantastic. I couldn't decide what I wanted, but next time I intend on trying their buffalo cauliflower salad and the adult mac and cheese! They also have a great selection on wine! Prices are a little high. The quality of the food and the fact that everything is organic and fresh makes it all well worth it! But if you are like me, and want to try a little of everything along with a glass or two of wine, your bill will definitely add up! So definitely not a weekly place for me, but if we wanna celebrate something and splurge, I am so here! Overall, they have a good concept for atmosphere. The live music was a good touch, but they needed a sound check, the musician's guitar was so loud we couldn't hear his voice the entire time. Definitely one of the best vegan places in the area.
(4)
Mike F.
We ate here this past Friday for my wife's 40th birthday and again Sunday morning for brunch. There isn't a ton of vegan dining in our area so when we have the chance we take advantage even if it means eating at the same place twice. For starters, Scott the Manager is as genuinely nice of a guy as I have ever met working in a restaurant and the staff does a great job. They come around regularly but at no point did I feel rushed and I personally appreciated the attention. I'm not a food critic so I try to keep my descriptions pretty simple. Friday we started with the Spinach Artichoke Dip which was amazing and worth the trip alone and the Buffalo Cauliflower Bites which were very good but could have used a bit more Buffalo flavor or maybe a Sriracha. Something about the breading doesn't allow for it to soak in the flavor. My wife had the Hearts of Palm Crab Cake which she claimed tasted exactly like the real thing. I've never eaten a crab cake so I wouldn't know but I finished hers and it was really really good. I had the Adult Mac and Cheese which was excellent but very heavy and rich. Honestly, I think I was too full from all the other stuff to truly enjoy it. As for Sunday's brunch this will be on our must do list next time we are in town. My wife had the Breakfast Sandwich which was your traditional breakfast sandwich only vegan and she loved it. When I ordered the Enchilada Burrito Scott said it was going to blow my face off and he wasn't lying. This was the best burrito (breakfast or otherwise) I have ever had. I judge vegan food by how likely could I fool a non-vegan with the food and this place knocks it out of the park. On a side note...next store is a cool boutique Nest which had some nice stuff and the guy working couldn't have been nicer. And on the other side was a grocery store Roots which was a vegans dream come true.
(5)
Rachael F.
A friend of mine suggested this place for dinner one Thursday night and I am highly glad I agreed. Let me start by saying I am in no way a vegan or vegetarian so I was a bit skeptic I wouldn't enjoy some of the meal options. However I was very very wrong. I went with the tomato soup and a side of cornbread per other reviewers suggestions. Both were very flavorful and I would order each again in a heartbeat! Thursdays night is also live music and 1/2 price bottle of wines so that made for a great perk and cozy ambiance. I also finished off with the Chocolate Cheesecake with a walnut? Brittle on top. It. Was. Amazing! I would suggest giving this place a try if you are in the are or looking for a vegan/vegetarian meal options.
(4)
Natasha M.
I come here often and am always nothing less than thrilled to enjoy a meal here. This evening I enjoyed the Autumn Chili. It's the perfect portion and isn't spicy in terms of heat but well spiced otherwise. It comes with the chili, quinoa and corn bread. My mother had the Roasted Fennel Salad and thoroughly enjoyed it as well. She described it as crunchy, aromatic and well balanced. There's a nice citrus in the dressing. We both enjoyed coffee here which is also worth bragging about. For dessert we had the pumpkin pie crisp. Also amazing. Would highly recommend. Also last but not least, the service is never less than spot on.
(5)
Erin M.
We live in the Philadelphia area but we travel to DC a few times a year, and a trip to Great Sage has become part of our DC trip tradition. However, the past two times we've traveled to Clarksville alone, just to visit Great Sage and the other shops in this strip mall because it has become a destination in itself. On our most recent trip here, we started off our meal with the picked vegetable hand rolls. We inhaled the two large nori rolls filled with pickled beets, carrots and cabbage and ate every last drop of the peanut dipping sauce that came with the appetizer. On another trip, we started our meal with a raw falafel appetizer that was out of this world delicous. If they put it back on the menu, I'll definitely order that again. Next up, we split two of the entrees. I absolutely adored the pumpkin gnocchi which was filled with a melange of other vegetables and served in a to-die-for delicious sauce. I find some pumpkin dishes to be overpoweringly pumpkin-y but this was not the case; this dish had a wonderfully savory flavor. The other entree is a Great Sage favorite: the hearts of palm-based crab cakes. These were delicious and served with just the right amount of vegan remoulade. I literally licked the plate when I was finished. The crunchy quinoa pilaf it was served with was stunning as well. Do I sound like I'm a bit hyperbolic here? Well, the truth is, we drive 2-plus hours to eat single meal at Great Sage because it is just that good. The desserts here are pretty good too, but I usually don't have room to try them! Note, they do not take reservations for parties under five, so if you plan to come for Saturday dinner, try to arrive by 5pm or get ready to wait.
(5)
Kimberly K.
My brother has been a strict vegetarian since he was 16, and for his 50th birthday we thought we'd take him to a restaurant where for once he could get anything off of the menu. We were a large group (12) and made reservations a couple days in advance on a busy (Valentine's Day) weekend, and they were able to accommodate us. With the exception of my brother, everyone else very much eats meat, and we were pretty skeptical of this place. We had a few "meat and potatoes" men, including one who eyed up the Wendy's nearby as a backup. We also had some picky teenage boys in our group, as well as a toddler. Everyone was impressed! We arrived at about 4pm, but as large groups go, we weren't really settling in to order until 4:30, and ended up putting in dinner orders instead of lite fare, since the kitchen would start serving dinner at 5. In the meantime, we enjoyed buffalo bites (made with cauliflower) and spinach & artichoke dip. They were both exceptional! For dinner, I had mushroom risotto, which was to die for. Most of our carnivore men ordered Thai Curry Noodles and all were pleased. I didn't try the pot pie or the adult mac & cheese, but others at our table did and they all really enjoyed it. Desserts were delicious also. I had the funfetti cookie, and it was delicious! I was so stuffed by the end of the meal. My toddler devoured his mac & cheese. I have to admit, I was worried since he can be a little picky, but he didn't seem to notice the lack of real cheese. They had high chairs available and a changing table in the restroom, so kids are welcome. The kids menu had a lot of options. I'd give this one a try again, and I'd even say I would go back without a vegetarian companion. It was really delicious!
(4)
JD G.
Seriously...WOW! First off, I'm a shameless flesh eater...I LOVE my meat, but my partner is not...he's vegan so I like to spoil him sometimes and take him to restaurants where he can order anything he wants without having to worry if there are any meat by products in the ingredients or dairy or eggs, etc. Most vegan/vegetarian restaurants are pretty good, but honestly they leave a lot to be desired. Great Sage, on the other hand, is perfect as is. There isn't one thing I'd change about it...you know, other than serving meat or something :-P Anyways, we started out with the Spinach/Artichoke dip and it was so flavorful and there was a lot of it so we had to stop ourselves before we got stuffed on it. I ordered the Hearts of Palm Crab Cake and was beyond blown away by how good it was. I read another review that said he had to take a second to recover after that first bite and he was so right. The portions were perfect as well...It wasn't huge by any means but it was big enough to settle my appetite, which is pretty big! We also splurged and got the chocolate lava cake with coconut ice 'cream' and, again, was blown away. It was so rich and the coconut flavored ice cream really added to the flavor of the whole dish. Overall, this is definitely one of my favorite restaurants and I'll be coming here every time I'm in the Baltimore area from now on!
(5)
Amy H.
As a gluten free vegan I find it more than Challenging to have a nice meal out! I'm so grateful for The Great Sage's commitment to healthy choices and a lovely restaurant. My favorites.. Chili and brown rice Reuben I love their soups! They'll bring a sample of each to help you decide! Yum. Yum Yum Yum
(5)
Caroline P.
Simply delicious! I think it's quite hard to make an entire vegan menu so I admire those folks. I've been there a few times and staff was always friendly and polite. I looooveee their artichoke dip.
(5)
Christopher W.
Great sage is an excellent place to eat. Like all restaurants there are things that I do like and those that I do not. My wife and I really enjoy the Hearts of Palm crab cakes. It is so flavorful and when it hits the mouth I normally need a second to recover. The pumpkin empanada is also a must try. Overall I would say that this place is definitely worth a try if you are looking for vegan food. The food has many textures and it is always interesting because the restaurant changes out the menu depending on the season. Waitstaff is also great, we have never had an issue with the weight staff. One tip to the business is to increase the appetizer size, as it appears to be slightly overpriced. Dessert was perfect though.
(4)
Andrew R.
Very very good. The server recommended the chili burger, which was excellent. I did not care for the flavor of the roasted potatoes. My friend had the buffalo dish, which was that evening special and it was very good. That being said, the crowd and vibe here is a bit uppity and smug as these people are sort of high end vegans. Not my scene. If I came back I would get takeout.
(4)
Anthony C.
The food here is amazing! Even if I wasn't vegan I would be here all the time. Incredible food at great prices. Take all my friends here.
(5)
Eunice K.
in the same shopping center as roots. parking is not hard to find. lots of interesting dishes. flight and bite flight and bite is super small. total amount of bites is like 3-5 bites and you'll be done. so small i ordered salad. thai "chicken" salad chicken salad was okay. came with noodles on top but i didn't like the noodles. it was a little overcooked in my opinion. my friends liked it. i would rather have more greens. the greens were fresh and i really liked the dressing. my friend ordered the thai curry she enjoyed it a lot. i thought it was different and cool. pretty good. my other friend ordered the adult mac and cheese. she liked it. it was hot and i thought the cheese def tasted nutty but it was interesting. choco lava cake super chocolatey. it was good but then it got super sweet carrot cake GET IT! GET IT!!!! i'm not a huge fan of carrot cake but OH MY! this was delicious! it was cold and tasted dense but also light and fresh! i really liked the icing on top as well. almond cookie skillet? it was okay. very crumbly. i liked it a lot at first cus it's warm but later got tired and sick of the taste.
(4)
Ashley H.
I was visiting Columbia MD and discovered this restaurant when I searched vegan in yelp. This place was really friendly and they have a grocery store next door. I ordered the chopped salad (the half) and it was a very big portion. I loved the salad without the chicken. I wasn't very fond of the cold chicken, the offered me some hot spicy chicken but I didn't like that either. However the salad was good on it's own. I also ordered the buffalo cauliflower my daughter got the Mac and cheese and her father ordered the lintel burger. Everyone was satisfied and we even got the mint shake at the end that was super good! Everything was vegan and I strongly suggest eating here when in town.
(3)
Scott H.
You don't have to be vegetarian or vegan to enjoy the wonderful seasonal menus at Great Sage, but it certainly doesn't hurt. The Buffalo Cauliflower is to die for and the 'Crabbie Pretzel' is another highly recommended appetizer. The Mac and 'Cheese' is a long-time favorite of patrons for good reason, and the Pistachio Encrusted Tempeh is quite delicious as well. Save room for dessert, as the variety of fresh baked goods, smoothies, and other sweets will satisfy the sweetest of sweet toothes. The service and hospitality are top-notch as well, and Great Sage is the perfect spot for a date, family gathering, business luncheon, or simply the really hungry.
(5)
Sarah A.
Always love the Thai Coconut Curry and the carrot cake never disappoints. Service is always great, I have no complaints. The handsome server with the radio voice was knowledgeable and didn't mind my questions. Made it an overall awesome experience. Will definitely come again.
(5)
Val T.
Disclaimer I haven't been able to eat quesadillas since I was a little kid (stupid allergies) so this review may be a little biased.... They had the most amazing quesadillas! They also have vegan Mac and cheese. Not sure how it compares to the real thing but I was impressed. It was really nice to be able to order off of the regular menu without having to ask the poor waiter/waitress a million questions and without the worry that I'd end up eating something I was allergic to.
(4)
Melissa B.
I really want to love this place. The staff is warm and friendly, and the adorably dressed manager even made the rounds of the dining room to make sure everyone was happy. The food is fresh and beautifully presented and... boring. I'm a longtime vegetarian/nearly vegan, and I love to cook, so it's not like the food was strange or unfamiliar to me. My carnivore husband usually likes the veggie things I recommend, but we were both in agreement on this one. Because I wanted to love Great Sage, we actually went there twice. We went at an off-hour the first time when the full menu wasn't available so we wanted to give it a fair shot. There was nothing terrible or inedible, though I really did not enjoy the $18 veggie burger. It was mushy and fell apart and tasted rather unremarkable. An hour after we ate, gastric distress ensued. And the same thing happened when I tried to eat the leftovers. I'll spare you the details, but half of this expensive meal went to the compost heap. The quesadilla suffered from the vegan cheese I think. But then again, I'm just not a fan of fake cheese. And the summer rolls were bland and unexciting compared to the ones from our local Vietnamese restaurant. The food was also expensive. I don't begrudge them that, since I know from experience just how much fresh organic ingredients can cost. But for what we spent, I wanted to be wowed. My husband was bummed because he took me there as a treat, and he ended up realizing he likes my vegan cooking better. However... They change their menu frequently, so if you're a vegan looking for that rare all-vegan restaurant, it's probably worth a try. Especially since I seem to be in the minority with my opinion. Also, do check out the Roots Market next door. I believe it's owned by the same people, and I was super impressed with the selection of local and organic produce and some other specialty items. If it were near my house, I'd shop there all the time. The prices were high as expected compared to a regular grocery store, but everything we got was wonderful--with a special shout out to the Harvest Bread. (Whole grain topped generously with seeds. Amazing plain or topped with honey or peanut butter. Or both...)
(2)
B. E.
I wanted to like this place, and I've tried at least a handful of times, but I just can't. Today was my worst experience yet, mostly because of our terrible, disinterested, and to be honest, incredibly rude server. He kept slamming our plates and cups down and mumbling when he talked to us (while walking away at the same time). I felt like he was faking his way through the shift and cursing all of his tables in the kitchen. I don't know, it was weird. I've never really taken issue with the service before. The food: Too many meat substitutes and even the few plant-based options are meh. If you are going to charge so much for vegan food, at least show a little creativity is how I see it. The portions for a lot of their dishes are underwhelming in size considering the price ( I don't want more food, I just don't want to overpay for it). I ordered the spring rolls once, realized they were absolutely pre-made hours earlier, and never ordered them again. I could go on about all of the dishes I have tried in hopes of finding something that would keep me coming back, but really what made me snap today was the "old bay" potato salad. It tasted like pure mayonnaise and I could barely find the potatoes in all of the sauce. I can't believe someone plopped that on a plate and thought it looked and tasted good. Places like this are few and far between, which makes me sad. I want all of them to succeed. But for right now, this place is a thumbs down for me. I will say this - they know how to make a smoothie.
(2)
Susan K.
Had lunch here with my vegan friend a few weeks ago while I was in town. I loved almost EVERYTHING we had. The quesadilla was delicious! Although it is an appetizer on the menu, one could totally make a meal out of it. It was so crunchy and flavorful (and no grease!). The little spring rolls things were a bit dry and flavorless although the sauce that came with it was good. There was a lot of cabbage and other crunchy vegetables in there but it lacking much flavor and variety in texture (just pure, dry crunch). The chili was soooo good on top of quinoa. My absolute favorite was the reuben sandwich with coleslaw. All the food we had here with the exception of the rolls was better than all the vegan places I've tried in LA. Great Sage -- open a location in LA pleeeease! :) Service was very nice and friendly. Located in a delightful strip of shops including a pet goodies store just a few doors down!
(5)
Samantha G.
So amazingly delicious and perfect in every way. There's not a lot to say that hasn't been said in all of the other glowing reviews, but it feels so good to be vegan (or vegetarian) here. There's no asking questions, worrying, or feeling confined to a veggie burger or portabello mushroom AGAIN. It feels so nice to sit down and order like a normal person, and the food is delicious to those non-veg people as well (my boyfriend can testify to this). On a recent visit, I ordered the green juice, a Caesar salad (boring I know- but so nice to have a 'creamy' dressing for once instead of a vinaigrette). I shared the pecan pancakes with my boyfriend and had to splurge on the smores-like dessert (see picture). It was incredible! One thing to add: It's such a nice touch that Great Sage takes your phone number and CALLS YOU when you're table is ready. You can walk around in the beautiful store next store, Nest, or browse Roots Market or more.
Home like atmosphere with menus that change every season. My friend and I ordered a pumpkin empenada it has a nice bite to it. We also had the samosa burrito and 'chicken' Pot pie which both of them were really good. Would recommend either one. The staff was friendly too. First vegan restaurant I've been to and I really enjoyed myself. :)
(5)
Kimberly H.
I had the buffalo cauliflower salad and the orange rooibus iced tea. Both were very good. The atmosphere is peaceful, and the staff is friendly. It was a pleasant dining experience. I'll definitely return.
(4)
Jen K.
Great Sage is a vegan restaurant located in Clarksville, a wealthy community next to suburban Columbia, MD, that I've been meaning to get to for a while now! From central Baltimore during weekday rush hour (with moderate traffic), it took about 45 minutes to get there. Not super convenient, but totally worth it! Thursday nights are half-priced bottles of wine, but I chose to imbibe with a cocktail called the 'St. Rita'. This delicious mix of tequila, St. Germain, and lemonade tasted like a slightly less sweet margarita. Food-wise, gluten-free items are clearly marked on the menu, and our server seemed very knowledgeable about the menu and the restaurant's cross-contamination measures (e.g. gluten free bread is prepared on a special surface). All of the day's Small Plates specials sounded amazing, but I decided to go with items I felt were unique, that I couldn't easily get elsewhere or make on my own. -Appetizers: The Roasted Buffalo Tempeh comes with griddled corn fritters and dijon coleslaw. The tempeh was good, but the corn fritters and coleslaw were even better! This dish may satisfy your 'buffalo wings' craving if you are vegan/vegetarian, but (as a current meat eater) I kept wishing the dish was spicier and crunchier. I also tried my dining partner's (okay, okay, it was my mom) refreshing, veggie-loaded cold Vietnamese Spring Rolls. If you order the gluten-free option, the only difference is they give you gluten free soy sauce instead of a spicy chili sauce. It also comes with a peanut sauce for dipping, which I felt was necessary to add some flavor to this very healthy appetizer. -Entrees: Here I opted for the Green Lentil And Green Chili Burger, substituting the toasted kaiser roll it normally comes with for gluten-free bread. (I'm not sure which gf bread they use, but it's taste and texture was very similar to the Food for Life brand rice bread.) The burger was very yummy--and filling--although it would have been too dry without the [delicious] chipotle aioli and green chili cashew 'cheese'. The rosemary roasted potatoes that came on the side were the only disappointing item of the night: I love potatoes, but these were bland and mealy. 'Crab' Cake photo via Great Sage The Hearts Of Palm 'crab Cake' my mom ordered was the real star of the night. The texture and taste were eerily reminiscent of an actual crab or salmon cake! And the quinoa-rice pilaf it sat on was simple but phenomenal. I even enjoyed the roasted garlic caper remoulade, despite not liking capers. -Dessert: Even for dessert, Great Sage offered many gluten-free options. I was already stuffed, but as a huge caramel fan, I ordered the Salted Caramel Taste anyway. This is a brown sugar caramel pudding with soy whip and a gluten-free cinnamon cookie. I don't know what the heck vegan whipped 'cream' is made out of, but it was just as good as any other whip I've had! And if you like salted caramel, this dessert will surely hit the spot. My mom got a scoop of homemade vegan espresso ice 'cream' (made from coconut milk) topped with house-made hot fudge. I greatly dislike coconut, but our server said the coffee flavor masks the coconut... this was not my experience, so steer clear if you don't like coconut! Luckily my mom loves it, and the hot fudge was great too. Again, hard to believe these desserts didn't contain dairy!
(5)
Chris E.
The food is good and the selection ok. I felt there were too many attempts to create veggie versions of meat, eggs and cheese. I'm not a vegetarian, but often dine with them (including my, um, wife). We could use more places like this in the DC area.
(4)
Emily C.
The hostess really could have used a lesson on service, that being said our waiter was quite friendly and the food was good, not the greatest for the price. When I spend $18 for a lentil burger I really want to be wowed - the potatoes on the side were cold and tasteless and the burger was very salty. Now the artichoke dip was to die for, it was delicious with a creamy depth of taste. The mac and cheese again was so-so. The chocolate lava cake was a big hit with everyone in our family, though the milkshakes were a little too runny for our liking. The weirdest item we ordered were the spring rolls - they must have been made earlier and stored because the rice paper was hardened but oily as if someone in the kitchen thought you could keep rice paper soft by oiling it - you can't. They were disgusting, spring rolls have to be made and served fresh. Overall family of 5 with 1 milkshake, 2 adult entrees, 3 kids meal (2 mac n cheese/1 hummus), 2 appetizers and 2 desserts was $120 without tip.
(3)
Jeff B.
Other than the cornbread, the food at Great Sage is amazing. We ordered the Vietnamese spring rolls and raw falafel as appetizers, the potato/pesto gnocchi and Thai peanut noodles as entrees, and we split the cherry pie crisp + vanilla coconut ice cream for dessert. The spring rolls come with a peanut dipping sauce and a delicious soy sauce/teriyaki dipping sauce. The falafel isn't fried, but I liked it. My friend insisted that it tasted like fish pate. The gnocchi were superb. That pesto is amazing. The Thai peanut noodles were good; however, after eating about half of the dish, I wanted to order some cornbread. Vegan cornbread is notoriously bad, and the cornbread at Great Sage is no different. Cornbread is very difficult to master. Nonetheless, the cornbread tasted like a dry, flavorless scone. For dessert I got the cherry pie crisp. Great Sage deserves 5 stars because the pie crisp was excellent. I really like the atmosphere as well. The ambience made the date much more bearable insofar as that I could look away from my date's penetrative and staring eyes and instead admire the beautiful painting of the river and fall foliage. Our waiter, Jordan, was also super chill and funny. Jordan and I heard what sounded like a submarine, but we couldn't figure out if the search for Malaysian Airlines Flight 370 had exhausted all of the world's oceans and finally reached Maryland.
(5)
Ashwini A.
Amazing delicious food! I've lived in the area my whole life and had no idea this place existed until recently. Thought I would check it out and was instantly impressed. The menu was so diverse, lots of great options including drinks and dessert. The Autumn Chili was just amazing and the pumpkin burger was delicious! As a non-vegetarian, I was initially skeptical, but this place blew my mind and I will definitely be going back!
(5)
Nancy A.
Yes. YES. YES. I am a new vegan and I decided to take my Mom to this restaurant so that we could sample some vegan food so that she would realize vegan meals are more than just eating a bag of carrots. I was soooo impressed! We got the Vietnamese veggie rolls, the black bean/squash burger, roasted vegetable wrap and ended it with the carrot cake - obviously, we had some leftovers. Everything was delicious from beginning to end. I will definitely return. So glad to have a vegan restaurant in the area!
(5)
Rachael E.
Non- vegan children beware! Today I was babysitting 5 year old twin girls. I took them out and about to do some early Christmas shopping. As we were walking around the conscious corner shopping center I decided to fuel up on some yummy vegan food for lunch. I've been to great sage multiple times and usually have a pleasant experience. Today was different. After I was seated, I unpacked the snack pack the girl'a mother had packed for them. They each had 1/2 a ham and cheese sandwich and a bag of carrots. Within a minute the manager approached my table and said, 'Is that meat and cheese I see on their sandwich?' He then went on to explain how this is a vegan restaurant, they don't even have honey and they don't allow meat products in the store. Taken aback, I asked if I could stay and he said yes, but he was 'letting me know for next time'. I am a vegetarian myself, so I see where he is coming from, but I feel like when it comes to 5 year olds he didn't need to attack what they were eating. It is isolating attitudes like this that give vegans a bad wrap. I personally take a more encouraging stance when I am conversing with non- vegetarians. In hopes that I can positively influence them to make better food choices. I felt very embarrassed in front of and for the girls and the other tables near by who could hear him address me. I should be able to eat my lunch without all the judgement of little girls snacks. If he wanted to inform me that outside food is not allowed, than that would be a different story. I should have walked out, but in my shock, I stayed and spent 20$ on a meal that was ruined from the beginning. The manager kept insisting he was 'sorry he had to say anything' but it was truly in bad taste and completely ruined my experience. I will not be back and I will share my experience with others. I wanted to ask him if it was okay that the lady's shoes next to me were leather? Or if his clothing was made in US factories or in China by child labor? Because if we are pointing fingers, why not dive in to all things ethical? By the way the buffalo cauliflower was undercooked and squishy.
(1)
Amanda P.
I am by no means a vegetarian or vegan, and probably never will be, but everything at Great Sage is amazing and you'll probably forget it's all vegan. They change their menu seasonally, but I've never had anything bad there. Today I had the vegetable crudo - veggies with an "Alfredo" sauce, the pumpkin empanada, the "chicken" pot pie, and a chai bundt cake. Everything is so flavorful and very filling! Seriously, you won't regret going here.
(5)
Desiree M.
I only ever did take out here, but looking around inside, I thought it was a very nice place with elegance. It also had an area to eat outside on nice days. I saw a group of four adults and two children and they had to push tables together. I don't think going in groups or bringing children is a good idea. It is definitely for just two or three people, perhaps on a date? I always enjoy eating things that are vegan because it can taste very refreshing and different, plus it is healthier. What I found really refreshing but still sweet was their soy ice cream. I usually get the quesadilla because it is really good. My only complaint is that I feel the portion is kind of small for 10$. However after coming to yelp, I discovered it is cheaper during happy hour because these people respond to some of their yelp reviews. Gave a star for that one. I won't come here again for myself even for the wonderful quesadillas, but if I ever have a friend or a date, I would definitely.
(4)
Diana K.
So good. Soooo good. Now that I've said that ill review : - stick to the staple foods , sometimes they get over excited on a seasonal dish and it's not as impressive - very expensive - even for vegan food. - owners own bark and roots so they do have plenty of good that they add to the community. -their brownie /chocolate cake thing with vegan ice cream is amazing. - don't get the cupcakes - go to roots and get some there that are vegan , they taste the same and you get more for your money - in the fall try their pumpkin smoothie My number one complaint with them is that you can't make reservations and the hostess isn't very organized. If there is a wait prepared to be annoyed and witness incompetency. ( not to mention they call babies "half a person" and make you wait as though you have a bigger party)
(4)
Starrlina S.
Tried this restaurant for first time. We had the Reuben (made with tempeh) and the Nori Bowl with brown rice. As I'm not vegan, I do love vegetables. Prices were average and the staff helpful in making suggestions. Most meat lovers would probably stop at Wendy's on their way out, but for newbies with an open mind -- the way the food is prepared is surprisingly VERY tasty! I would return to try something else.
(4)
Michelle C.
I don't know why I waited so long to try this restaurant. It was amazing! It's probably the best vegan meal I've had in the DC area. I had the green lentil and green chile burger. It was topped with tortilla strips for crunch, avocado for creaminess, and a chipotle aioli for extra kick. Uh-maz-ing! The chili roasted potatoes on the side were good but not great. My husband had the adult mac and cheese and loved it. For dessert, we had the almond flour skillet cookie with salted peanut ice cream. The almond flour made it gluten free which was a little weird to me - the mouth feel or something. It was still good. I'm already thinking of reasons to go back!
(5)
Katie D.
White bean hummus was a splendid appetizer choice, also the buffalo cauliflower side as an appetizer. The menu is seasonal, the server was knowledgeable about the dishes and the organic wines. Comfortable at home atmosphere about the place. Carrot cake wasn't to my liking, a little dry, but that's the tiniest bit of a complaint I can come up with. I cleaned my plate- the mushroom stroganoff, and throughly enjoyed the entire experience. Definitely will become a staple place to routinely go back to!
(5)
Wayne H.
Very good vegan restaurant, I am a meat eater and I was pleasantly surprised. I had the heart of Palm crab cake and it was wonderful. My partner had a great black Eyed pea cajun soup which was tasteful.
(4)
Sierra S.
This was my first visit to "Great Sage". I have two co-workers who constantly rave about how wonderful the food is and how many of their non - vegan friends also love it so I figured I should check it out. I ventured there for lunch on a rainy and somewhat cold Tuesday afternoon. We missed the lunch rush so getting seated wasn't an issue. The waitress, Jess, was very familiar with the menu and offered some suggestions. Since many of the reviews of Great Sage mention the "Adult Mac & Cheese" it made the cut along with the Thai green coconut curry and corn fritters. I tried the mac& cheese and..... I am not a fan. Full disclosure, I love mac&cheese but this was....I can't even find the words. Eek. The curry seemed more like a giant bowl of soup but underneath it all, there was some brown rice? Jess, the waitress, suggested having the curry with some baguettes which she happily brought out. My friend actually liked the mac&cheese and I liked the curry which she was kind enough to share. I ended up ordering some brown rice to go with the curry...a rather small bowl which cost $4. I don't see myself ever returning to Great Sage, it just wasn't that good. The waitress seemed surprised that I didn't like the mac&cheese and asked if I was a vegan. I said No and her response seemed to suggest that was the reason I didn't like the famed mac&cheese was because I wasn't a vegan. Rubbish. It wasn't yummy. The corn fritters? Equally disappointing. I like good food but this place didn't win me over..."too many vegans/hipsters and I just can't relate"
(2)
Fylvia K.
This vegetarian leaves very full and very satisfied. Large, scrumptious portions. Must try the Adult Macaroni and Cheese. Sips of the green juice is a great palate cleanser when jumping from one dish to another
(5)
Brian F.
The food here is really good! Even those who are not vegan will love it (aka me). I started with a curry pea soup that was amazing. My mushroom stroganoff with gnocchi was delicious, as was the veggie burger that my mom ordered. The coffee we got after the meal was pretty decent (high praise from a coffee snob such as myself). The only issue I have is that the food here is expensive, but it was worth it for me.
(4)
Angela M.
Great Sage is the most awesome plant-based goodness around! Our favorite restaurant hands down!
(5)
Sarah D.
SO GOOD! This is a great place to take your pre-vegan family and friends. They will NOT be disappointed. I've taken "meat and potatoes" people here and they nearly licked the plate clean. Like another reviewer said: You cannot go wrong with the Adult Mac & Cheese. But everything I've ever at Great Sage has been amazing. Oh and come next Sunday, Feb. 23rd for Vegan Outreach Benefit Day ~ 10% of your bill will be donated towards VO's cost-effective outreach!
(5)
Hiroko N.
Before this restaurant, I had only gone to one vegan restaurant, which is down in College Park. I was hoping that, unlike the one in College Park, that this restaurant would stray away from imitation meat in favor of more "natural" vegan foods, but that was not the case. I found myself going through the menu, its pages littered with many ' ' marks, signifying imitation this and imitation that (ie: 'cream cheese,' 'crab,' 'beef,' 'ice cream'). It took me a while to find a dish that did not seem like it would have any imitation ingredients, and ordered a tofu taco (I like my Tofus looking like Tofus, as opposed to beef or pork, but it's just my preference). It was delicious. The sides, I did not like as much (the rice had a very strange texture), but the tofu tacos were great; they were obviously not 'normal' tacos, but they had their own texture and flavor that met very well with salsa and tortillas. I also ordered one of their fruity teas, which was good, though I would like to branch out next time. For dessert, I had a slice of carrot cake, against my 'better' judgement against imitation products (eggs, milk, creme cheese, flour), I saw so many reviews, and just had to try it! It was amazingly delicious, and I was surprised at how moist it was, even though it was listed as gluten free. It was also a huge slice, too. Would be perfectly fine for 2 people to share. The price is obviously quite high, being a niche vegan restaurant, but the atmosphere was great, and it would be a nice place to go as a treat.
(4)
Harmony H.
Great Sage is definitely a great find. You can easily find vegan cafes but nice vegan restaurants are a rarity in the DC area. The ambiance was nice with very friendly staff. Not pricy considering it's all organic and vegan. FOOD: Most of the food was delicious and complex...you don't quite understand what you're eating (although it says clearly on the menu and the staff are very helpful) but you know it's tasty. Suggestions: Carrot Cake---SoOo Good! A Must Lentil Burger---Moist and flavorful Artichoke and Spinach Dip---mostly all artichoke but good Avoid: Raw Ramen---really bad Caramel Martini---way too sweet Quesadilla Just Okay Dishes: Mac n Cheese---maybe good for it being vegan? Indian Lentil---doesn't live up to the flavors of India Falafel Chai Tea Coffee Latte Mojito
(4)
Melissa H.
My first time at a truly vegan restaurant and I must say that was amazing! Everything was just so flavorful and tasty. Service was great and I'll definitely be coming back. Brunch is the best!
(5)
Eric G.
I wish this place was closer to home! I wanted to order everything to take home with me. Go, and bring your non-V friends. Delicious.
(5)
nic b.
Tried it again...i have no idea why. Oily gnocchi that was completely bland. Although the texture of the gnocchi itself was spot on. And thanks for the tiny portions for $19. Perfect for the diet conscious. You sure the caeser was vegan because it both smelled and tasted fishy? It was also just chopped romaine and some croutons with a decided lack of dressing. Totally uninspired and boring. Bartender was pleasant, so at least that has improved over my last experience here. That said, I've had it with this place. Vegan does not equal flavor free unless you go here.
(1)
Reezle W.
I can't say enough good things about this restaurant...Best mac'n cheese I have EVER had in my life. You have to get it, either as an entree or to pass around. The spinach artichoke dip is a lemon-y garlic creamy cheesy masterpiece. They serve it with the perfect crispy bread. "Chicken" tacos are good, but you only get two in the appetizer and they were really small between the three of us...Good flavor though. The green chili lentil burger is large, hearty, and filling. The aioli, onions and avocado on it are perfect, and the texture of the bun is like a toasted large English muffin, not some throw-away bun. The chard is a great side. I've tried both the pesto gnocci and Thai peanut curry and both are...okay. They don't have the kick you in the teeth flavor the other dishes seem to have, so don't feel bad about skipping those. On the lite fare menu I have also tried the grilled veggie wrap with a smoky olive aioli, which is so good. Their cocktails are good, I'm not a big mixed drink person so I don't know what I tried there. Wine selection is decent, the Carmel Valley Pinot Noir is my favourite there. Dessert. Their carrot cake is famous for a reason! It is so good! I have also had one of their nightly specials, a peanut butter mousse sundae---amazing! And their baked cherry crumble with coconut ice "cream" which is also really yummy. You can't go wrong with anything here. Try the specials, they have creative things like a mushroom-tomato "ceviche," carrot puree, and broccoli poutine which has the same cheese sauce as the mac, soo good!
(5)
Mistery M.
Winter review. First. PAPER NAPKINS. HORRIBLE HORRIBLE PAPER NAPKINS. IF THE HOWARD COUNTY CHINESE RESTAURANTS CAN DO CLOTH SO CAN YOU. Two stars docked. Next. Winter menu is ehhhhhh. The lentils are smooshy and plbbbhh. The pot pie i mean pot pie napolean is nice but like the lunch, just tidy up the presentation. Burger just sux. The mac and chees is as it has always been. Pretty good. Buffalo cauliflower is Grade A. Mushroom risotto. Again. SMOOSHY. Winter does not mean food has to smoosh. Get cloth napkins. Summer menu was tits and winter menu is. Smooshy. Also let your waitstaff drink on the job. Do you know what waitstaff do on the job in DC and NYC? Happier more enabled waiters equals happier customers. I cant even buy a shot for my server at closing!!! How do you expect me to express my love? Speaking pf expressing my love, the picture in the mens bathroom over the urinal is falling apart. Too much passive aggressively expressed love i suppose.
Ok, so I'm not new to Great Sage, I've been here a handful of times, maybe more, and the food for the most part is always really good. But, I decided to go on a strictly Vegan kick for the next 6 week's (trying to detoxify my skin) anyway, I came here tonight for dinner (to go). I sat at the bar while I was waiting on my order. The atmosphere is always nice. The first drink I ordered was called a Rosemary Lemon Drop, I think. It was ok, couldn't really taste the alcohol, but the wine I had afterwards, geesh! that did the trick. So, for the appetizer I ordered the cauliflower buffalo bites. The bites came with buffalo sauce and a ranch sauce. The cauliflower bites were soooooooo delicious. After tasting the ranch sauce I thought I made a mistake and was eating real ranch sauce, you know with the real mayo and everything, I was about to get upset until I called the restaurant to ask what the sauce was made with. Let me just say, everything in the restaurant is completely VEGAN, no matter how wonderful it taste. I was completely shocked, the bites tasted that good, better than any meat eating restaurant I've ever been to. Tomorrow I will take the rest of my meal I brought for lunch and update you, and this time I'll take pics.
(5)
Angelica Jayne T.
I've been here three times now -- once for dinner, where felt I was in a 1st class restaurant, and twice for lunch. Yesterday my friend and I wanted comfort food after all the snow shoveling, and were in the Columbia area. The only place we thought of was Great Sage! The Adult Mac and Cheese and a veggie wrap fit the bill perfectly. Everything, including the coffee was delicious. Our server was very friendly and knowledgeable. Please, Great Sage, open another restaurant in Timonium!
(5)
Nori H.
This place makes me super happy. It's the only vegan (or even vegetarian) haven you're going to find within miles in this otherwise-wasteland, and it's super legit. The butternut squash soup that may or may not still be on the menu is delicious; their mac and "cheese" is hearty and tasty; their lentil burger is solid. I've dragged several omnivorous coworkers here, and they left full. Also, they have good beer. And wine. And vegan spiked hot chocolate, which made my boyfriend really happy.
(4)
Nic E.
We are weekly regulars at this AWESOME vegan restaurant. The service is always friendly and prompt, the atmosphere is great, and the food is amazing. Every dish we've tried is super flavorful and well done. Their daily specials are always a treat. I can honestly say that I've never had a bad meal here. They are very cognizant of soy and gluten allergies as well. Great spot for a quick brunch or lunch, as well as a romantic dinner. The patio area is nice during the summer. I wish there were more places like Sage!
(5)
Danielle K.
It's hard to describe Great Sage. It seems to have upscale pretensions (and upscale prices) but in a fairly laid-back environment conducive to families. They're a non-ethnic vegan but with cuisines all over the place. Where else can you get a quesadilla and Thai-inspired salads at one meal (if you're so inclined)? I've had great meals and less memorable meals there, but it's a good go-to spot if I'm going to a concert at Merriweather or it's on the way to points north. On our most recent visit, my boyfriend got the potato bisque soup of the day. The flavor wasn't bad, but it had a sort of grainy texture that took from my enjoyment. My Thai "Chicken" Salad, which I had as my meal, was HUGE, and it had a nice kick to it. It was a rather cold day, so I might have liked it better were the noodles and "chicken" a bit warmer, but I would probably order it again. My boyfriend got the Harvest Plate, a dish of "turkey" with stuffing and butternut squash gravy. It was pretty good, but not as good as the "turkey" open-face sandwich I'd had on a prior visit. For dessert, I ordered the raw chocolate tart. It was extremely rich and filling--almost too rich. I do like eating raw foods as cuisine once in a while, but it's easy to go overboard. As I live in DC and Great Sage is not near any public transit, I don't get out there often, but that's what makes it special. I do wish there were a similar restaurant a bit closer to home, though.
(3)
Rosalyn W.
We just saw the movie "Forks Over Knives" and are transitioning to a vegetarian menu, so we went back to try the Great Sage again as our first experience was just "okay". My fiance was advocating for a different restaurant for the entire drive over there, but this time the food was great & he was totally sold on everything! I had the rosemary-mustard crusted tofu, it was the best tofu I've ever had (my leftovers the next day tasted even better). My daughter had the braised tempeh which was pretty good , my first time tasting tempeh. My fiance loved his chickpea & quiona burger (though I didn't taste that). And the blueberry cheese cake was nothing less than amazing. I am so happy we gave this place another try! The presentation was awesome, the service is pretty good.
(4)
Zachary H.
Nice all-vegan restaurant in the general DC/Baltimore area. My wife and I have been a couple times now and have tried a decent amount of dishes: a couple soups, the Vietnamese Spring Rolls, the Green Lentil/Green Chili Burger, Adult Mac & "Cheese", Hearts Of Palm 'crab Cake', and the White Chocolate Creme Brulee to name some. The food was all very good, but nothing really blew us away. It's a nice atmosphere though, and as vegans - it's just really great to be able to order anything on the menu when going out to eat. We're definitely fans of Great Sage and are looking forward to more visits, as the seasons/menu changes, hopeful to find a favorite dish or two!
(3)
Amber M.
As good as it gets in terms of customer service, quality, & innovation in vegan cuisine. While visiting Great Sage I suggest trying something different every time, the food is just that good. I had the opportunity to enjoy a handful of small plates, appetizers, & desserts during a dinner date at GS with a good friend. We ordered as much as we could stand since we were on time for the happy hour but too early for dinner time. Everything delicious & fresh! The cocktails are equally marvelous. Cheers!
(5)
Angela P.
With the recent closing of three vegetarian/vegan restaurants in the metro DC area, Great Sage is now the only non-ethnic vegan restaurant open daily for lunch and dinner within 30 miles of DC. Sadly, it's true. So on this Saturday, my mother and I went to check out the newly released fall 2012 menu. Despite it being in the middle of the day, the dining room was still very busy. We were seated towards the back of the restaurant and were immediately greeted with a couple glasses of water. Our server approached the table and we both ordered a glass of wine. I know it is just lunch, but, hey, it was after 2 p.m. so why not?! Our server kept approaching us as we took our time discussing the menu items. He had a coarseness to him that was undesirable by us at the time and he really rubbed us the wrong way. He mentioned his favorite dishes when he first approached us, then later when I asked him about one item, he seemed annoyed and remarked, "do you think I'd lie to you?" He was indicating that he already mentioned that item was good. Geez, pipe down, brother. So we placed our orders. We both started with the raw Mediterranean salad. The small "side" salad was huge! The crisp romaine heart leaves were piled high with red peppers, cucumber, tomatoes, olives, and red onion along with crunchy sprouts in a lemon garlic dressing and a dollop of hummus. This salad was way too salty. It tasted like they dumped the entire container of salt into the hummus. It was also way too big for a small salad. Next, they dropped off my mother's tempeh reuben and brought me some sort of sandwich. I then told them that I ordered enchiladas. My server apparently put in the wrong order for me. I nibbled at the tempeh reuben while I waited [for a long time] for my entree. I think they really need to improve on their reuben. They could learn a lot from Chicago Diner on this one. Finally, my pumpkin enchiladas arrived. Luckily, they were worth the wait. The enchiladas were filled with pumpkin, black beans, roasted corn, cilantro, and chilis and topped with some sort of vegan sour cream and mole. They were delicious. They were served atop a Spanish quinoa that was cooked with tomatoes. Did I mention that after suggesting a hot sauce, the server still forgot to bring this?! After adding both hots and hot sauce to this dish, I enjoyed it even more. I was way too full to enjoy dessert, but my mother insisted I take one home so I ordered the new pumpkin pie. It was served with caramel sauce and some sort of vegan cream. It was a great pumpkin pie. So, in the end, some of the dishes were great and some were not, their prices are on the high end for lunch in Maryland at $13 per entree, and the service left much to be desired. In fact, it was nearly 15 minutes before he brought us the check. That is not to mention his bad, sarcastic attitude throughout the meal despite our attempts to be pleasant. I'm sure I will be back next season, but not anytime soon.
(3)
Cathy N.
My sister is vegetarian and wanted to try this place out. It was very good, the artichoke dip is awesome. I think I got a soba noodle dish with a peanut butter dressing, it was so good I had to go home and make it myself. And it's great that the grocery store is right next door.
(4)
Milton H.
Declared today that I'm making the conversion to healthier food. Started tonight with Vegan Quesadillas. Taste like cheese is in them but not. So far my first meal was great. Can't wait to go back again to GR8t Sage!
(4)
Becca R.
Great Sage has been on my radar for a while after non-vegetarian friends recommended it. Went here for lunch with my mom yesterday. The lunch and dinner menus are slightly different, I think I prefer the lunch menu because it's more cafe style food. Setting is more casual than I expected, but it works better that way. In comparison to one of the other local vegetarian restaurants, One World Cafe in Baltimore, the choices and style of food is similar but you don't leave Great Sage smelling funky like you do at One World, so that's a plus. I had the club sandwich, it was really tasty. They used tempeh to make the "bacon" which added a really great texture to the sandwich. Mom had the green lentil and butternut squash burger. She's not a vegetarian, but she gave it high marks. They change the menus seasonally which keeps things fresh.
(4)
Cara T.
We love Great Sage!! The options are outstanding, and the place always has a great atmosphere. The live music is really nice on Thursdays. I enjoy so many of the different dishes here, and I appreciate that the menu changes seasonally to try new items. I have been a vegetarian for longer than Great Sage has been around, but my meat eating friends love this restaurant too. The one thing that bugs me is that you have to specifically request bread; I would rather they offer it. Otherwise, I have been enjoying Great Sage for many, many years (since they opened!) and I am so thankful to have such a cool, innovative, unique, and relish restaurant right here in Clarksville.
(5)
Melissa G.
My favorite restaurant! :) The food is always so delicious and the service is always great! :)
(5)
Mary D.
Great food, great service, and great atmosphere. Love the fact that it's all vegan!
(5)
Greg W.
I would highly recommend Great Sage. Regardless if you are vegan or not, you must try it at least once. The adult mac and cheese is probably my best meal. They have awesome "Crab" cakes too.
(5)
Carol D.
We were here yesterday for lunch. I would have given more stars if the service was better. It all started when we asked the hostess if we could sit outside, group of 5 of us, the waitress said out loud "seriously"? As if it was to much trouble to put two tables together. Then after we were given menus we were ignored for about 15 minutes until I asked if we could order. Then I got my soup appetizer for my meal as the waitress did not put my meal order in. Poor service overall However the food was really good. Management should have a talk with the staff about how they should do their jobs. Customer service Fail.
(3)
Ron D.
The food and service here is amazing. I am so lucky to have one of the best vegan restaurants so close to me. I highly recommend trying this place, you will not be disappointed.
(5)
Kiana W.
This was a certainly the 'diamond in the rough' we found during our time in Columbia, Baltimore and Washington DC areas! Especially in Columbia and the suburbs, where fast food is rampant, this vegan restaurant with creative dish combinations and seasonal produce was lovely. I had the provencal vegetable dish-- very nice, LOVED the mushrooms and basil pesto. The "fake" chicken was not great-- better to highlight good alternative foods than to recreate the animal products that aren't served. The white chocolate raspberry tart was also very nice, we had it with the coconut ice cream. Am looking for some good restaurants like this in my area-- it was a delight to find it! Keep up the good work in cooking up some delicious and healthy dishes.
(4)
May S.
Love the ambiance of great sage!! Even though it's a little pricey, I believe it's worth it and have always enjoyed making a special trip to enjoy a vegan meal. I have visited during brunch several times(LOVE the pancakes) but only recently had the opportunity to come for Dinner. The food was divine and the service was spectacular. Our server's name was Amy, who proved to be extremely nice and attentive. She definitely maximized our enjoyment with her prompt service and smile. I was excited to show my Dad and brother that vegan food could be delicious, and luckily great sage did not disappoint! My little brother especially enjoyed the chocolate lava cake, as did we all! I look forward to returning to great sage soon!
wow. I'm not a vegetarian, but there is more flavor in the food here than any steakhouse I've been to - and I've been to quite a few. I had the 'boar' special and the empanada app. both we're amazing. more food than I could finish but I finished it anyway. sooo delicious. I strongly endorse this place.
(5)
Laurie H.
If you are gluten free because you have celiac or diabetic or pre-diabetic and are on a low carb diet, stay with the salads. I am both, stopped here with my vegetarian daughter on the way to the airport from Olney for an early dinner after having made salads for lunch at home. We didn't want more salad and there were no other low carb options, so I was stuck with high carb choices with no high protein source to slow down their entry into my bloodstream. Most people do not realize that legumes are mostly carb and have little protein and the tofu dish we ordered barely had any of that also. We didn't have time to go somewhere else, so i figured I'd simple deal with the fatigue and headache from the blood sugar rush and we shared 4 appetizers and a main course wrap, which were all supposed to be gluten free. They weren't. This is the first time in 1 1/2 years since i was diagnosed and went gluten free that the lifelong stomach problems I had, which vanished within weeks after I went gluten free, have returned. I am never going back there. It will take a week or two for the celiac autoimmune reaction to subside and my stomach problems to ease up, and my vacation starts tomorrow.
(1)
Jonathan C.
One of my favorite restaurants. Delicious vegan food, top-notch service, and they throw benefit days for animal advocacy organizations, meaning they're a company with a commitment to a better world. Nestled in the Conscious Corner shopping plaza (featuring Roots and other veg-friendly establishments). So even though Clarksville may be out of the way for some, it's worth the drive to get to Great Sage. For brunch, I get the biscuits and gravy (with tempeh bacon and veggies), and for lunch/dinner, my go-to is the mac and cheese. Definitely worth checking out.
(5)
Marian G.
I traveled an hour to try out this restaurant for the 1st time. I have wanted to do so for quite a while so arranged to meet a friend there for an early dinner. The number of available entrees on menu were less than I had anticipated and I was a bit taken back by the prices associated with the very simple selections. I had a hard time choosing but my friend who had been there before suggested the lentil burger. She ordered the Mac and cheese and we split our meals 1/2 1/2 so that we could each try 2 menu items. I have to admit both items were very tasty. The lentil burgers were the best that I have had and I also enjoyed the Mac/cheese. It was definitely what I call "feel good" food. I still believe the prices are a bit high for what you get but I will probably yearn for a lentil burger fixed just right in a few months and make my 1 hour pilgrimage to get my fix. In the mean time I'll save up and maybe have 1 there and take a second home for the next day. hmmm
(4)
Colleen R.
Astoundingly fabulous! Everything on the menu is a joy for vegans and non vegans alike! Their pastries are stupendous! The atmosphere is wonderful and they have an amazing selection of vegan smoothies, cafe latte's and cocktails. All of the staff is wonderful. Certainly going to invite many of my friends, vegans and non-vegans alike to share in this treasure of a restaurant. Also, the surrounding stores are all wonderful! A great way to spend an evening.
(5)
Erika F.
Best Vegan restaurant in the Baltimore-DC area. I drove up from DC for lunch and let me just say it was well worth the drive! My friend and I are both vegan and have been dying to find a good vegan place east of Portland! Most vegan shops I have been to are not only tiny but are really vegetarian places with "vegan options". I felt right at home in this 100% vegan restaurant. I loved the ambience. You can choose to sit inside the warm dining room or outside on the patio if the day is nice. The service here is wonderful. Everyone is extremely professional and always making sure you have everything you need. They have a great variety to choose from that is always changing. Let me tell you a bit about what we ate today: (1) Vegan Caesar Salad - I've been missing the caesar ever since I went vegan. This didn't feel like a "fake" caesar, it was everything I was wanting! So delish. It was creamy and salty and even had the reminiscence of anchovies. I don't know how they do it- but if you like and miss the caesar salad you must try this. (2) Artichoke Spinach Dip - IF YOU LEAVE HERE WITHOUT TRYING THIS YOU HAVE FAILED. lol This dip is so delicious. Creamy and hearty. You can't miss the artichokes in this dip. It comes with garlicky-buttery toasted baguette slices on the side. I really thought about ordering a second one, but needed to save some room for... (3) The Reuben - This sandwich was great. A lot of vegan restaurants "veganize" the reuben but this one was the best we've had. The tempeh was thick and juicy like you'd expect in a hot deli sandwich. The kraut and tangy dressing really make this sandwich something special. I am usually hesitant to eat vegan deli cheese but this sandwich did it right. The cheese melts really nicely and feels like the real thing. First time I don't regret ordering something that has vegan cheese on it. Quite delightful. (4) The Lentil and Green Chili burger - OMG. The spicy dressing on this burger is to die for. They do not skimp on the avocado folks. I think there was an entire avocado on this burger - it was such a nice addition/pairing to the spicy sauce. It also came with these crispy chips that gave this sandwich the right amount of crunch. I was in heaven. (5) We were so stuffed but couldn't leave without ordering their "famous carrot cake" to go. I actually just finished devouring that before writing this review. It was so good. Three layers of cake with amazing cream "cheese" frosting between each layer. They also top this cake with lots of chopped walnuts. It's pretty amazing. The cream cheese is tangy just like the real deal. I loved it. They really make sure you have enough to eat at this place - this cake "slice" was big enough to feed four people I'd say. Overall, such an amazing trip. Writing this review makes me want to turn back and head over for dinner. I was not disappointed. I should also say that everything coming out of the kitchen looked delicious, not just what we ordered. So I already have a list in my head of what I'll be ordering next.
(5)
Jon L.
No thanks. My burger was painfully dry and I felt like I was eating a dry bread burger. The avocado on top was a nice touch, but in all honesty I would have rather eaten a garden burger. The potato fries I was served were tiny/lazy in quantity and were so incredibly overcooked that they were barely edible. The burger clocked in at $17. This was a horrible dining experience and I do not recommend it to anyone.
(1)
Suzy D.
This is the JoS. A. Bank of Yelp reviews: buy one, get two free. For the meat eaters: Great Sage, in all of its glory, was perfectly embodied by the hostess: total hippie. A long, flowy dress. The sing-song voice of someone who honestly thinks that not eating a steak makes the world a better place...or has just smoked too much weed in her lifetime. Lots of patience, which really just means she doesn't believe in adhering to any timetable. I bet she doesn't shave her armpits. Here's the important thing -- the place is vegan. What does that mean for us meat eaters? That means eat a snack of beef jerky before you go and you better be well compensated by your date if you don't complain about the food...she'll be eating meat by the end of the night anyway, hey hey. As an open minded meat eater I can attest that vegan does not mean the food is bad. The two dishes The Vegetarian and I split were edible (some vegan stuff isn't, but let's not start a discussion about raw food...even though there are several raw options on the menu here) and the serving sizes were way more than one serving. The chili was bland and the beans undercooked, but the presentation was lovely with mix-it-yourself beans, veggies and quinoa. The key to successful is to flavor everything, and this just wasn't done. Traditional chili doesn't even have beans in it though it's become more than acceptable to include them, but you know what it does have? Chili powder. Didn't taste like this dish had any in it. If you're going to make an imitation chili dish, you should at least try to make it taste right, even if it's not going to have the same consistency. The dish was filling and well balanced, but a lackluster dish like this is going to make us gripe about how much better it would be with meat...and we are right. The adult mac and "cheese" wasn't very adult but tasted pretty good. When I think of an adult version of kid food I think something's making it naughty. Usually that's an indulgence like truffle oil or obscene amounts of bacon. This seemed more like "if there are veggies hiding under cheese maybe the kids won't notice." Uh, I noticed. This dish, however, blew away all other fake-cheeses I've eaten. It was creamy and rich like the real thing and tasted great...almost cheesy! Similarly, the cream "cheese" frosting on the carrot cake could have fooled me. If all else fails and you're having a hard time getting over the "no animals were harmed in the making of this food" tagline, drink copious amounts of alcohol and you won't remember what you ate. The cocktails we had were well made and the inclusion of almond milk in my Ginger Snap Cookie gave it body and enough milkiness to pair well with the spice. For the vegetarians: To give myself a little credibility, I was a vegetarian for several years: I feel your pain of usually being able to eat one thing on a menu...and of course the three obligatory sides. Like you, I don't understand why anyone would omit cheese from their diet. Maybe they're evil or have been brainwashed. Whatever the reason, Great Sage follows suit and is strictly vegan (you know, other than things like honey in the decaf latte because it wouldn't be the DC area without someone claiming they're some kind of vegetarian-pescetarian-flexitarian when really they eat whatever animal product they want when it's convenient for them, thank you for giving vegetarians an even worse name). You and I, we're in this together, we both want the added flavor of cheese and cream. That being said, it's often hard to find veggie options, and Great Sage, at the very least, gives you an entire menu of things you can eat...just don't expect all of the items to have the flavors you've become accustomed to in your vegetarian diet. Besides the food options, vegetarians will most enjoy finally not being made fun of. We have all been the brunt of dumb jokes and outright ignorance of what it means to be a vegetarian, but here at Great Sage you won't have that problem. Here you're more normal than all the vegans and can join in with the meat eaters in poking fun at them and making true statements like "cheese can solve all the world's problems." Welcome, friend, you've likely never felt so included. For the vegans: I don't know why you bothered reading this shit, you aren't going to trust my opinion anyway. Think of how many endangered beetles you could have saved if you hadn't wasted your time on Yelp.
(4)
Lillian C.
I brought my SO of 3+ years here for his birthday. He has been a vegan for almost 20 years at this point and has been to almost all the vegan joints in the area so this is one of our final frontiers in the DC area. I hear vegans raving about the place, so why not? I thought the cocktails were excellent and the restaurant has a great ambience. Unlike other (non-vegan) restaurants in this price-range, the place was relatively quiet so it was easy to have a romantic dinner and not tune in to laughter of a group of cackling women over happy hour. So why I had to knock off two stars was that the relatively pricey hunk of seitan dish the SO got tasted like any other big chunk of seitan covered in viscous cornstarch glaze we've had at other vegan places for easily half the price. I don't know what's up with it, but they need to stop. It's repulsive. It's like eating erasers covered in goo. The texture is an absolute abomination and the spices do not accent the rubbery awfulness. I'm going to call it meatloaf for now, because it's what it had the most resemblance to (mystery meat mash, cruelty-free). I am an omnivore and I don't even eat meatloaf, so why vegans would want to replicate meatloaf is an absolute mystery to me. But in other news, the brussel sprouts were really good and the fact that your non-seitan dishes were impressive tells me that this place has capable cooks in the kitchen and this is not a place I'd write off but I beg you to never serve "meatloaf" ever again.
(3)
Ryan B.
Picked a nice friday night to drive out from Baltimore to The Great Sage, we decided to sit inside due to impending rain, we were promptly served water and given the specials of the day by our waitress Amy. I had read several comments on Yelp that mentioned bad service or certain food items lacking, but I would say that almost every part of our meal exceeded expectations and was delicious. Since several people recommended it, we got the Artichoke and Spinach dip and the Black bean Quesedilla, while both were amazing the Artichoke dip was out of this world, the people that didn't like it must of been looking for something that you would get at Chilli's or Applebee's. My date ordered the Green Lentil and Green Chili Burger that came with a potato side topped with avocado and tortilla strips, I had some and both of us thought it was amazing, if you are used to the five dollar garden burgers that are frozen, then you probably won't be a fan of the high quality, and fresh taste this burger has to offer. I went with the special which was an Orange Sesame 'Chicken' with a carrot pilaf and some vegetables, I would say it was a decent option but in hindsight I wish I had ordered the Mac and Cheese. We also ordered a side of the corn bread with some 'butter', and took most of our meals home. One of the managers, Katie, visited our table during the visit to see how everything was, the service was amazing from the hostess, all the way up. We also noticed how happy everyone in the restaurant seemed, it wasn't your normal dining atmosphere it was a bunch of people who obviously enjoy eating high quality, healthy food in a great restaurant. Upon multiple suggestions on Yelp, we ordered the Carrot cake to-go, and took it home with our leftovers. If you are looking for a high quality vegan restaurant, with amazing service look no further, we're already planning our next trip out to Clarksville!
(5)
Jill M.
My husband and I really enjoy Great Sage as a special occasions place. We live 35+ minutes away, but we enjoy being able to order everything on the menu without substituting or leaving things off. Overall, our experience is always solid. And, after last last, I'd even say, never great--always good. Although, I would have given 3.5 stars if that was an option. Last nights order was overall, very salty. No need to over salt, when the other flavors in the food are good! Leave that to the diners at the table! We had: White bean soup: Nice flavors, night pieces of carrots/celery/beans. Salty! Crabby Pretzel: Well flavored hearts of palm stuffed bread. Had the order arrived to the table quicker, the Daiya cheese would have likely presented more gooey, than hard/baked. Pretzel dough was good--more like bread than soft pretzel. Pistachio and Peppercorn Tempeh: sauce, mushrooms, greens and spaghetti squash were very good--could have been a meal on their own. Tempeh crust was too dry--distracted from the actual tempeh. Dish overall was very salty Adult Mac N Cheese: excellent creaminess and complex flavors with the peppers and greens. Breadcrumb topping was excellent. A little too light on the pasta because of the density of the sauce, but the best item we ordered. Carrot Cake: icing was better than the cake, but didn't quite get that traditional cream cheese flavor--more of a traditional white icing. Cake was a bit dry, and crumbly, but the flavor and walnuts were good. Service is always good/friendly, and food comes out very fast. Maybe even too fast, not allowing for much of a transition between courses. We'll be back for the pot roast in the winter. But, I'd love to see the salt dialed back a bit!
(3)
Elissa F.
I've known about Great Sage for a long time but, since we live in DC, we had never gotten around to making the trek to Clarksville. Well, we finally did last night and now I am kicking myself that we waited so long! Our meal was absolutely fantastic from start to finish. We shared the artichoke spinach dip. I had the "adult" mac and cheese and my husband had the daily special. Let me just say that the mac n cheese is the best I've had in my life (and that includes the kind with "real" cheese). When you eat something like that, you know that there is no reason whatsoever to eat animal-derived cheese. None. We shared the chocolate lava cake with vanilla ice cream for dessert. WOW. Just delicious!! We also spent some time shopping at Roots market next door, and picked up all kinds of interesting things, including Beyond Meat (the new vegan "chicken" that fooled New York Times food columnist Mark Bittman into thinking he was eating the real thing). The whole experience makes for a fun outing from DC. I just wish Great Sage would open a branch in Washington - I'm sure it would be packed every night.
(5)
Brooke T.
Let me preface this by saying, I am not a vegan, I love meat, chicken, pork, beef, pork wrapped beef... you get the idea. So enter Great Sage, an organic vegan restaurant, ugh huh? I have to admit I was a bit skeptical. Can anyone really enjoy a meal without meat? I must admit I was pleasantly surprised. I would have never gone to this place had my friend not be trying a vegan challenge. Appetizers started with a pretzel and three types of dipping sauces...hmm not bad. Next, for dinner, udon noodles, veggies with tofu. I must say that the taste was great, the veggies were seasoned nice, and the tofu wasn't that bad. An after dinner latte with soy milk sealed the deal. Honestly, I enjoyed my experience and I think that I would go back to try something new.
(4)
Sweet D.
We came on a weeknight with a party of five. We didn't make a reservation and ended up having to wait 30-45 minutes for a table. The food was okay. The spinach and artichoke dip was very good. The hearts of palm 'crab' tacos were eh. The three women got the grilled veg provencal. While healthy, the presentation was kind of lacking and it was a bit boring. The grandma in the group actually hated it. When we told the waitress that our grandmother didn't like her food (and she obviously hadn't eaten hardly any of it), the waitress just ignored us. That frustrated me a lot more than the so-so food. The guys both got the lentil burger. My husband had gotten this in the past and thought it was great, but the night we came here with additional family members, it was rather disappointing. It was undercooked, so mushy, and there was not enough aoili on it. One thing that I found disappointing about Great Sage is the lack of whole grain options (for the mac n cheese noodles, lentil burger bun, etc.). Don't get the cornbread here - it was very dry and flavorless. The carrot cake was very good though.
(3)
Valerie N.
I went vegan in 2009. Lucky for me, Great Sage went vegan soon thereafter. I only started going to Great Sage when it went vegan in 2010. There is still honey in their chai, but don't even get me started on the honey debate in the vegan community. Great Sage does several things well. Their incredible vegan dishes run the gamut from salads to comfort foods and desserts. Their menu changes constantly, and sometimes I wish it wouldn't, because I'm always longing for the dishes that used to be on the menu. When I first started going, they made this phenomenal "chicken" salad sandwich that was big enough to share, but so good that I never wanted to share it. I'm still waiting for that to return to their menu. They also had this great salad for a long time that had perfectly marinated tofu and this delicious homemade cilantro-lime dressing. And the Seitan Au Poivre for dinner was surprisingly flavorful and hearty. At dinner, you cannot go wrong with the Adult Mac and Cheese. It has tons of vegetables and a little spice to give it a nice kick. Treat yourself with the incomparable chocolate lava cake with a scoop of the coconut milk ice cream for dessert. It's so big that you will *have* to share it, even if you don't want to. Great Sage is great for lunch, brunch or dinner. You can always ask to sample the day's soups, and, if you ask, they will bring you complimentary bread to tide you over until your meal comes. The Mediterranean Hummus Plate is also a great appetizer to share to take the edge off your hunger. The things Great Sage does less impressively are the fancy coffee drinks. Their service is also usually impossibly slow. They're incredibly nice, but a meal there can take forever. If you're in a hurry, I suggest sitting at the bar instead of getting a table.
(4)
Mike V.
Am I really giving a vegan/raw place five stars!?!?! And No. this was not to get the Carrot Top Badge. This place has really upped the ante since my last visit. new chef? new menu? who cares! it's amazing. and it's not just the food (best artichoke spinach dip i've ever had...how they do this without real cheese is beyond me) or the dessert (their signature carrot cake is ridiculous) or the coffee (chai tea latte with coconut milk since it's vegan....DEAR LORD, BEST CHAI EVER.) It's the whole package. and the service was solid. not quick, but who's in a rush when the food is this good.
(5)
Lori C.
As a foodie, I was ecstatic to have found this place. My cousin's boyfriend was celebrating his birthday, and we chose this place as he is vegan, and the rest of us eat organic only food. We went in on Thursday afternoon and could not wait to try some of the "delicious" meals on their menu. We immediately recognized that it is an "elite" restaurant, which we love. It was truly shocking when we realized that their level of customer service was sub par. The food was excellent, and that gets them one star. So sorry, but the excellent food was buried by the rude server's attitude. She came over to our table as if she was forced to do so. Am not sure if she did not know the menu, but she was very impatient, and did not seem to care that we noticed. We truly wanted to give a better rating. It's easier to bypass food that's ok when the service is good; just can't be the other way around. Customers remember the service more than anything else; it's part of what we pay for when we choose to dine with you. Will never, ever go back!
(1)
N S.
Big fan of Great Sage here! I recently had the seitan bourguignon as I was a HUGE fan of the tempeh bourguignon. While the sauce was tasty, one bite, and one cut into the seitan, I completely lost my appetite. I realize after viewing the menu online that the seitan was marinated in espresso and red wine; however the similar look to meat was completely off-putting to me, in particular the red insides - ew. I have been vegetarian for 22 years; and I do and have never eaten "mock meats." I appreciate when your menu states things like "tempeh bacon" because that tells me to stay away from it. While this issue may not have to do with flavor, the shear look was enough to cause me to not eat anymore, so I basically spent $20 to eat a few peas and some mushrooms (I do not eat potatoes). Now that I sound like the kind of vegetarian I make fun of, and will probably not live this review down amongst my many Yelp amigos (well, mainly Sahar), I hope that you will consider going back to the tempeh, and possibly giving me a small gift card for my next visit. Once again, I really enjoy your establishment and feel quite lucky to have you in MD as there is nothing else like you guys in the DMV.
(5)
Charlene K.
Go. Just go. Great Sage is amazing for any meal, but it holds a special place in my heart for brunch. I ordered the vanilla cranberry pancakes the last time I was here: they were HUGE and delicious and I left the restaurant wobbling, happy, and delirious in carb-induced bliss. Yay for vegan cocktails too!
(5)
Wayne L.
Portlandia come to central Maryland. The food, the way patrons were dressed, and the snippets of conversation I overheard all reminded me of the show. The food was just okay though. The spinach artichoke dip starter was very good. Tasted very fresh and not too heavy on the cheese. Entrees were just okay though. Squash and bean burger was nothing special. The red lentil Indian curry could have been better. It wasn't very hot when served.
(3)
Katie S.
This place is a hit or miss. I first ate here years ago - the food was nice, but the service was painfully, horrendously slow. Just went back last week, but carried out. Got the Winter Harvest Burger and Vegetable Pot Pie. Burger - first of all, charging $12 for a veggie burger and throwing a handful of kettle chips on the side is a big pet-peeve of mine. If i am paying $12, i want a side you actually made...So, after asking my options i went with a side of Cole Slaw. It was the best part of the whole meal!! Delicious! The burger was pretty tasteless and fell apart as soon as i bit in. Pot Pie - Oh, this looked so good in the car on the way home. I mean mouth-watering! But as we know from looking at food on TV (which is actually inedible products made to look like delicious food) looks can be deceiving. The filling was good, but the "crispy, puff pastry" top was tougher than shoe leather. So hard, it was inedible (perfect for TV, i guess!). I did call them and tell them about it and they gave me a credit for that dish (also $12). SILVER LINING: Looks like their customer service has improved...i will eat in next time to get a real feel for how things are today...
(3)
Mike R.
Great place, and a greater DC area treasure. I've been for dinner three times and am anxious to try a brunch there. Their soups are incredible. One small note: This page says they take reservations, but that's not true for most of their visitors. They'll only accept reservations if you have a large party (5 or more people). For most of us looking for reservations for 2 or 4 people it's not possible to get a reservation, and each time I've been there has been a 30 minute wait for a table. Considering it's a hike to get there from DC, waiting an additional 30 minutes has frustrated the guests I've brought.
(5)
Madeline A.
*confused* WHY IS THIS PLACE NOT RATED 5 STARS?! Ahh so good! :) My friends (non-vegan and vegan) are IN LOVE with Great Sage. We've come here for lunch and dinner numerous times and always try something new (or, almost always). +The service is absolutely wonderful. All of our servers have been incredibly friendly and non-pretentious. +The atmosphere is fantastic -- not too loud, clean, sophisticated, mellow lighting, lots of big windows, interesting art displayed... +The food is outstanding. Favorites include Artichoke Spinach Dip, Black Bean & Roasted Corn Quesadilla, Thai Chicken Salad, Raw Seaweed Salad, Club Sandwich, Winter Burger and Chocolate Lava Cake!!! This is our favorite restaurant in the Baltimore area, by far.
(5)
Liane R.
The food is unbeatable. I've had some of the best meals of my life here (menus change each season, but my favorites include red lentil curry, pumpkin burgers, raw spring rolls, and of course their carrot cake). Love that they have new specials each week, and their half-priced wine Thursdays (with live music) is a pretty sweet deal. We've had some wonky service in the past (when we started visiting about a year ago), but recently the wait staff have been perfectly attentive. Either way, that's not that big of a deal to me because as I said before, THE FOOD IS UNBEATABLE. "Go, just go!"
(5)
Noel O.
On another road trip with Lauren C, she wanted to share this place with me. In my head I had a little hole-in-the-wall restaurant filled with rasta hat-wearing folks and incense burning throughout. Granted, I've spend a couple of years in California, so I don't really have any issue with such a place, this was just the image I had in my head before getting there. We arrived to the parking lot shared by Great Sage and a handful of other businesses right after the lunch hour, so we decided to putz around until we actually had an appetite. The Roots Organic Market and Nest Gift Shop are both worth checking out while you're here. At Roots I just "needed" some amazing vegan oatmeal pie-type cookies (since they're vegan, they're good for you right?) And at Nest I picked up a picture book of all these animals located at various animal sanctuaries in the region. I mention all this because I wasn't expecting to buy anything, but once you get to neat store like these, there's no reason why you wouldn't find something you love. As for Great Sage, the mood as you walk into the place is much more polished than I expected. There was a woman to greet you at the door in a plain, black uniform, and the bar/dessert counter immediately caught your eye. The restaurant itself isn't very large, but they do have a big enough patio outside that patrons can enjoy during the warmer months. Because I had a cold, I decided to start with a cup of the red Thai curry soup, which had a healthy kick and put me right at ease. Then I nibbled on some spring rolls, which was essentially shredded veggies wrapped in rice paper and a delicious peanut dipping sauce. Because my friend and I had been "good" so far, we both got dessert. I had the fudgey chocolately richness that was their chocolate cake. Now remember, everything here is vegan, and as a non-vegan I figured I was going to be disappointed. No at all! Must eat more cake! While even for someone who likes to travel/drive a fair bit for adventures in and around DC, I was worried that it'd take forever to get to Clarksville, which is just past Germantown. Where Clarksville is located, it's in Howard County between 270 and 95, north of Columbia. I say all this because, while not far from the Inter-county connector, it's not exactly near the major highways. Bring your GPS, but come expecting to be delighted. This a great weekend afternoon thing to do!
(4)
Maggie M.
Full disclosure: I'm not vegan, not even vegetarian. Not even close. But this place is great. Unpretentious and delicious. The German potato salad is the best I've ever eaten. Highly recommend the sausage entree. The sides are all very good. Excellent sauerkraut. The Thai chicken salad was also great. Draft beer was awesome, especially with happy hour price. I'll be back! Our server was great and held my hand as I experienced my first vegan meal.
(5)
Steven Y.
Great Sage provides delicious, gourmet vegan food at a reasonable, if upscale price. I've had the adult mac and cheese, seitan au poivre, artichoke dip, and crabcake hollandaise, and all have been absolutely delicious. The desserts are just as creative and amazing -- their cinnamon bun with cream cheese ice cream is one of the best things I've ever tasted. I'm cautious about recommending vegan eats to omnivores, but I don't hesitate to say that anyone can enjoy the delicious food at Great Sage.
(5)
Jessica A.
I've seen a few concerns about the service in previous reviews, but I have never had a problem. They are always super sweet, personable and attentive. If you don't like vegetarian food at all, you should probably pass. Don't come in here and order chili or a burger expecting it to taste cow-laden. It's not meat; it will never be meat, and it isn't SUPPOSED to taste like meat. That doesn't make it a poor substitute for meat, it just makes it a different option. Where the food is concerned - it's never been less than good, but some seasonal offerings have been excellent vs. just good. They have a smoothie here with Raw cacao, almond milk, banana and agave called a Funky Monkey that is delish. The cheesy artichoke spinach dip with toasted crostini is very tasty and was a hit with my non-vegetarian friends. I always get the raw spring rolls and / or raw california roll when I come here. If you want some raw yummies and are sick of salad, this does the trick... but the salads here are fabulous too. The mediterranean hummus plate has some great flavors - the marinated onions are really good and and hummus is fresh with warm naan bread... mmmm Didn't Like - Raw seaweed salad (don't remember why) or soft pretzel combo... the pretzels are dry and the sauces aren't very good. It isn't worth the price. The decor is nice; kind of earthy, ethnic and natural - it's a nice date spot if you're taking out a vegetarian or just want a healthy change of pace. Not to get all vegany, but I would love to see some more exotic offerings using fresh young coconut rather than so much soy... think Pure Food & Wine in NYC. I know Great Sage is more like a casual vegan cafe than 5 star vegan cuisine, but I would love to see at least a few offerings like this and would be willing to pay the premium price.
(3)
Maria P.
I met my old roommate from college here for a leisurely lunch mainly because of the convenient location to both our parents' homes and our schedules. I have never been a fan of vegan places mainly because I love a good bloody filet mignon and cheese and food that is rich and bad for you! However I was impressed by the seaweed noodle salad I ordered. It was flavorful and so healthy that I felt light and energized not weighed down or so full I could barely move. Our server Scott was really friendly but mellow and didn't kick us out when we camped out at the table post paying for the check. That's what happens when the restaurant is not full and friends want to catch up. I also ordered the soft pretzel with nacho 'cheese', homemade mustard and homemade hummus. I honestly prefer the generic Auntie Anne's or Wetzel's but the dips made the rather cardboard like bread easier to digest. Overall I'd say it's great to have a vegan/healthy restaurant thrive in Howard County. I felt like I was in LA and was waiting for someone to start doing yoga poses in the middle of the restaurant.
(3)
George G.
I actually have not been able to eat there.My wife went and loved it, she has tried to bring me there. Last night we went and there was a two hour wait,so we left . I think the restaurant needs to change its reservation policy to allow small groups to make reservation.(right now its five or above). I won't try again, sorry no MD restaurant is worth that, pretentious really. By the way,if this happens to you, we went a block away and had a wonderful meal at El Azteca . Its not vegan, but all apps and entrees we had were delish and unique.
(2)
Crystal P.
I want to love Great Sage. Honestly. But after 3 visits, we left each time with a sense of disappointment and a much lighter wallet. The first time was the service, the next two was the food. Just very bland. At this point we've had almost half the menu and nothing really was overly great. The quinoa burger was dry and boring ( even our server said she isn't a fan of that dish), the curry was bland, the quesadilla was as well. We have had 4 salads, which were good, but nothing over the top. The beet ravioli was nice, but small ( as it should be being a small plate, but again, it's not going to fill you up). Being that vegan fare is what we gravitate towards, and knowing going in that sadly, it's expensive to eat healthy, we really wanted this to be our go to place when we were in the area, but I don't think we can justify the cost for the experience.
(3)
Ken Y.
This spot is definitely one of the best vegan restaurants in the entire area. Great food and service, a nice location away from the city, a variety of options and some pretty bangin' desserts.
(4)
Jan B.
Ok, I am not a vegan, but went here with 4 fellow omnivores because it was a convenient midpoint between DC and Baltimore. The food was good. As I think is a must for good vegan meals, they were creative and the items we tried were flavorful. Made me think I was eating actual chicken at one point. The service, however, was just bad. The staff definitely played on my stereotypes of a crunchy, drum circle, no-rush-for-anything Berkeley vegan. Our waiter was slow, forgot stuff and cheerfully ignored us while chatting with other staff and friends ( restaurant regulars?). It was 7:30 on a Sunday evening when we arrived and we all had about a 40 minute drive to our respective homes. We didn't get back until well after 10 because of the sloooow service. It is out of the way for me, so I probably won't ever be back. I would give them another shot or just get takeout if I lived in the area.
(2)
Chantel E.
One of my favorite vegan restaurants! I've been here twice. The quesidillas are my favorite. I've had this for an appetizer twice. The first time I went I had the adult mac n cheese. It was so yummy and creamy, you would have thought it had dairy. The 2nd time I went I had the "crab" cake which was a special for the evening. I was very skeptical. My first thought was how and they hell are they going to make a vegan crab cake? So I asked the waitress and she told me that they used heart of palm and the traditional seasonings used to make a crab cake. When I say this crab cake blew my mind, I mean it. It was so yummy and tasted like the real thing. I was so impressed. I bet if you put this in front of someone and told them it was a crab cake, they probably wouldn't 2nd guess if it was crab or not. I sure didn't. Overall I love this place, I would be a full on vegan if I could eat a Great Sage everyday :)
(5)
Lizzie P.
Totally kick-A restaurant! I've come here several times for brunch & dinner over the years and it never disappoints. Courteous service, excellent vegan food and wonderful cocktails. Love the reuben & biscuits and gravy. Worth the drive from DC & Baltimore, come ear here if u like affordable & groovy vegan eats.
(5)
Lola S.
Decided to try this out. We had a great server...he was attentive and polite. The food was bland and tasteless. I was very disappointed considering our tab came to $63 for two of us. We have paid double at other restaurants as we value quality versus quantity. We had the antichoke spinach dip which was decent. My hubby had a pesto with pasta and mushrooms(sad). I had a dish which featured seitan chunks with plantains with corn and lima beans. The seitan tasted like tires....it was beyond poor.The food was so poor that we couldn't wait to get out of there. I did not bother to try the popular carrot cake...I had enough. I have had ,tried vegan restaurants before but nothing like this. No thank you. If you really want to try some tasty vegan food. Try Everlasting Life in Upper Marlboro....it will rock your world.
(1)
Mitzie R.
I can't believe my luck in finding Great Sage. We live in Michigan but visit the D.C. area frequently to see our families. After trying all the "yelped" vegan/vegetarian restaurants in the immediate area we became tired of being limited to very few items on the usual ethnic menus. So, we ventured out to Clarksville and discovered this gem. Now we have a destination restaurant whenever we visit the greater D.C. area. The food is absolutely wonderful, and to think that I can eat everything on the menu! My only problem is that they change the menu each season and I'm not in town often enough to try everything. Many times I take a muffin or cookie for the flight back to Michigan since the BWI airport lacks any edible food for me. Thank you Great Sage for being there!
(5)
Alexander C.
Great Sage serves up a wonderful variety of seasonal vegan options, ranging from General Tsos tofu to Tostadas and raw dishes. They're nestled inside the Conscious Corner market, alongside Roots (a grocery store), Nest (a cozy store of green-friendly products) and Bark (a store for pet foods and other related items). They have a marvelous staff who is always helpful and friendly. If you don't know what to get, they can help you pick. There's always specials that are worth trying if you've experienced all the fare on the menu. I shouldn't forget to mention their desserts. The raw moose is great and their signature carrot cake is to die for. The only drawback for me is this place is quite a hike from my location in Arlington, VA, but I make the trek every so often and put a grocery shopping run in with it to make the drive a bit more worthwhile.
(5)
Kat K.
The best vegan restaurant - maybe even just the best restaurant - I've ever been to. Their spinach and artichoke dip is to die for.
(5)
Lisa P.
Though this place is expensive, it is well worth every penny! Excellent spinach artichoke dip, excellent adult mac and cheese, excellent cornbread, and if you go fro brunch, excellent biscuits and creamed chipped seitan. Very relaxing, yet still upscale atmosphere. I could eat here every day!
(5)
Katie H.
WOW OH WOW is this food good. I'm not vegetarian OR vegan, but this place... wow wow. If I could make food like this, I would be. Try the pumpkin enchiladas.
(5)
Tricia V.
Being a vegetarian in DC, I was pretty excited when I heard about Great Sage. My husband and I planned an entire day out in Maryland to culminate with a meal at Great Sage on a recent Saturday night. Given the mostly positive reviews, I was unpleasantly surprised when we had one of our worst meals in recent memory. I will say this, the restaurant is nice-looking and comfortable, and the service was attentive and efficient. Our experience wasn't all that bad, aside from the fact that the food was awful. We had the pea samosas, the Santa Fe salad, the tempeh bourguinon, and the veggie burger. I ate the salad first. It looked great and had a nice mix of beans and veggies, and exactly four small cubes of tofu. It tasted like the salad was dressed only in lemon juice. While it completely lacked balance, I like the taste of lemon, so I was willing to overlook this miscue. Next came the pea samosas. They were served with three dipping sauces, one of which was super salty, another didn't have much flavor, and the third looked and tasted like pear butter. The samosa filling wasn't pureed like traditional samosas, it looked like shredded peas. Since it wasn't cohesive, everything fell out when took my first bite. These were hard to eat and kind of bland, but I was excited for our entrees, so I overlooked this too. I started with the tempeh, which was in a mushroom, carrot, and pea gravy over mashed potatoes. I am usually weary of ordering tempeh since it can often be dry, but I figured if it was doused in an umami-rich mushroom sauce it couldn't possibly be bad. Wrong. It had no flavor whatsoever. And for some reason there were really hard cubes of parsnips (or possibly turnips) mixed in with the mashed potatoes, creating a strange texture. After picking the hard cubes of parsnips out of the potatoes and pulling all the tempeh off the gravy, I had a passable dish of mashed potatoes and gravy. My husband started on the veggie burger, which was even worse. It was a soft mound of tastelessness. The honey mustard that came on the side was pretty good, but that really shouldn't be the driving force of a meal. We ate the bun with the mustard and left everything else. I understand one bad review among many good reviews will probably not deter you from going to Great Sage. But please temper your expectations because the food is not good. On the plus side, the Roots Market next door has tons of delicious samples of dips and snacks, which I highly recommend if you are unsatisfied with your meal.
(2)
Angela R.
My favorite veggie friendly place in Maryland! The food and drinks are always fantastic. The atmosphere is wonderful. I've never had one not-so-great experience and I've been here quite a few times! :o) Make sure to try the warm lava cake or their carrot cake! Absolutely amazing. On sundays they host a brunch which has some DELICIOUS items, usually some sort of quiche and pancakes. YUM! Really nice to have Roots and Nest near by!
(5)
Ben B.
I really enjoyed the quality of the food ingredients, and the interior design of the restaurant. I would definitely go back. I got RAW LEK SEN MEE with warm portobello. It tasted actually very good. For photos and full review: awesomeveganblog.com/201…
(4)
Angela U.
I happened upon this awesome little spot after a pedicure at Living Dolls in Highland (see review). Let me start by saying I'm not a vegetarian but I like what I like and that happens to include vegetarian cuisine. The first time I came here, I carried out the Black Bean Quesadillas. FAB-U-LOUS! My mother in law isn't a veg either, and she and I shared them and we were in heaven. The "sour cream" was a bit runnier and thinner than normal sour cream, but the taste was spot on. The second time I came here, I carried out again-- pumpkin soup and a salad, I think. Again, food was fabulous. The third time, I brought my mother in law and my 20 month old son. She and I both got the tempeh reuben which was OUT OF THIS WORLD. No, seriously. I hate hate hate the texture of corned beef, but love the flavor, so this definitely did it for me. VERY flavorful. The coleslaw was awesome, too. My son wasn't crazy about his "grilled chicken" and broccoli, but he's super picky anyway. He WAS very well behaved, though, and we've noticed he prefers calm eating atmospheres to anything noisy, so this was a good fit for us. My only complaints are 1. they're a bit pricey, but it's specialty food, so I sort of get it. 2. The waiter wasn't very friendly.. he did what he needed to do and all, but he didn't smile or acknowledge my son or engage us in any way, which left me feeling a bit sour. Other than that, five star food and atmosphere all around.
(4)
Katy E.
I love Great Sage! The atmosphere is great, the people are nice, and the food is amazing! Being gluten free AND vegan...it's difficult for me to go out to eat. Great Sage has plenty of options, and I have been more than satisfied with everything I've tried. I take my non-veg friends along and they love it as well. The carrot cake is amazing!
(5)
Toni F.
I love that there's a full service vegan restaurant in the area. The space is relaxed and inviting, and when the weather's nice you can sit outside on a small patio under cheerful orange umbrellas. The food here is beautifully prepared, especially salads, which arrive to your table like works of art. The Santa Fe salad is a southwestern medley of black beans, corn, marinated tofu, and cumin scented dressing. I order this without the tortilla strips that normally garnish the top (they always seem slightly stale). The California Detox is another favorite, a refreshing composition of spinach, spiralized beets, sunflower seeds, almonds, red pepper and cucumber. I feel totally re-energized after eating it! Spinach artichoke dip is heavy on the artichokes (yay!) and the garlicky savory dip was omnivore approved by my dining companions, who said they never would have known it was vegan. Although a little pricey at $7, a mango lassi is the best way to finish the meal, rather than the desserts. They've always seemed kind of lackluster, though they're pretty (I'm talking to you, peach Napoleon).
(4)
Mark E.
Goodness, gracious - Great Balls of Sage! Goodness, gracious - Great Balls of Sage! Wonderful first-time experience at Great Sage in Clarksville, MD. I am a meat-and-potatoes guy through and through, and approached this venture into healthful eating with a very healthy amount of trepidation and foreboding. I was pleasantly surprised - I'll say shocked to find the food completely outstanding - both my wife's Curried Lentils Indian Style and my Quinoa with Root Vegetables. Service by an engaging and knowledgeable waiter was top notch - we split the pineapple cobbler for dessert than that was great as well. I did notice that by our 7:30 departure, it was standing room only with a line out the door. Despite this, we were under no pressure to give up our table as we experience at so many restaurants. Prices were Howard County high-normal, but not excessive. Most importantly, we had every confidence that the kitchen was not sneaking extra butter and salt into the food just to improve apparent palatability to those like me with simple, pedestrian and uncultured taste buds. Kudos to Great Sage! We definitely will be back.
(4)
Mari C.
This is hands down the best vegan restaurant in the Baltimore/dc area. The restaurant has great ambiance, the staff is fast and professional and the food is to die for. It's about 20 minutes away and I will definitely be taking the drive at least once mnth. It's so nice to go to a place where you don't need to 'veganize' anything. The food is gorgeous too....something I sometimes miss at Vegan restaurants is that the food can be and looks very simple...it hardly seems like a special occasion. At great sage the food is not only delicious but it looks great too!
(5)
Rachel F.
I've only recently became vegan and have been looking for a restaurant I can actually eat more than a few menu items. I've known about Great Sage for a long time but never thought about visiting until now! The food was fantastic and large portions. The quinoa burger was delicious and their potatoes/fries were SO GOOD. I'll definately be going back again, but not for the service as that left a little to be desired. The sangria on the other hand - YUMMY!
(4)
Mehmed M.
Pure aces. Eaten here a handful of times and have always tried something new. Never anything I haven't really enjoyed. Kitchen staff does a tremendous job and the wait staff is always very knowledgeable, attentive, and friendly.
(5)
Stuart T.
Great Sage is a don't miss place for vegan food. Likely your non-vegan friends and family will enjoy the experience as well.
(4)
Christina C.
Went here on Sunday for brunch/lunch with a friend. I'm not a vegetarian, but do enjoy vegetable-only meals sometimes. I had the red pepper soup and spinach apple salad - both were delicious. My friend had the vegetable wrap and really enjoyed it. The ambiance is nice here. Next time I'm in Columbia, I'll definitely be back.
(4)
Steven K.
I am a big fan of the The Great Sage and have been a customer on almost a weekly basis for over a year. I started going there as I transitioned to a plant based diet. I am very thankful there is a restaurant I can go to and have anything I want from the menu. The service is always very good. The servers are always kind and the management is super accommodating. Just as people in general are different the style of service can vary from server to server; however, I've never had bad service. I don't recall ever having to wait for food. The meals have always come out as ordered in a timely manner. The food quality is always great. In my time going there I've only sent one item back. The presentation is always appealing, The menus are seasonal; so, you don't get burnt out. With that said be warned, you may fall in love with an item that doesn't traverse the seasonal menu change! There is currently a hearts of palm "crab cake" that will knock you off your feet. I've lived in Maryland all my life and will tell you it is the best "crab cake" I've ever had. I am a big fan of breakfast food in general and really liked the biscuits and "sausage" gravy, the dish actually turned me on to mushrooms. That is a bid deal for me since I used to hate mushrooms! I was very disappointed to see it go away from the brunch menu and hope it comes back. At the time of this writing Sunday brunch always features a pancake special and quiche which are hard to choose from. I can't forget to mention desert! OMG, the deserts are amazing. They always have a different ice cream to try or different special. The deserts are always great. There is usually a special for the weekend that is well thought and creative. The facility itself is comfortable, clean and well decorated. The bathroom is always clean (that's a big deal for me).
(5)
Stacie H.
I am in love with this place. The staff is friendly the menu is exciting and even the drinks are to die for. I get excited whenever I go!
(5)
Deidra P.
A meat-eating friend and I went to Great Sage this past weekend. We were planning our next visit before we'd even finished dinner! My pal NEVER eats his entire meal, so I was shocked that he cleared his plate of bbq shaved seitan, mashed potatoes, and spinach. He enjoyed the texture and flavor of the seitan, which means I only got one forkful from his plate. I had the tomatoes, caramelized onions and creamed spinach wrapped in phyllo....it was tasty. I've had rather dry cupcakes from another vegan spot, so I was leery about trying dessert but ZOMG the carrot cake was super moist and delicious. I will definitely be a repeat customer.
(5)
A B.
Absolutely delicious! I love going out to eat and knowing I can order anything on the menu, even wines ( I had a delicious organic wine). Everything is fresh and vegan. Even my meat loving husband has eaten here twice with me and loved it. If you aren't vegan or vegetarian don't be shy to go here, it would be a big mistake!!
(5)
Stephanie D.
Great vegan restaurant! I go here all of the time. Make sure to order the smoothies and juices. It's great to have all of these options close by.
(5)
Tiffani N.
They lose a point for their service. We walked in and they looked at us like we had two heads. I guess because we didn't fit in with that kind of crowd. *smirks* Anyway, it took forever for anyone to give us any attention, even though they were closing in an hour. Their so-called Sangria tasted like carbonated kool-aid with pieces of strawberries floating around. I was not like any sangria I've ever had so I traded it for the Viognier, and it wasn't much better. The worst part of the meal was the Adult Mac & Cheese. I actually was sick from it for two days. I'm not sure if they didn't bake it enough but the "cheese" was soupy and the rigatoni and veggies were hard, not in an al dente way either. My date's Great Sage Chili and Brown Rice didn't look appetizing. The cornbread looked like a brick. But he said it was pretty good. He recommended the Famous Carrot Cake. Now, I'll admit that was delicious but it came out cold, like it was right out of the refrigerator. I'm not a fan of cold cake. After I got home and it had been out a few hours, it tasted wonderful. Don't think I'll waste gas driving out to Clarksville for a mediocre Vegan meal again. Not impressed.
(2)
Dil M.
I've been to Great Sage many times in the 3 year's I've lived in the area and I've slowly watched it go from decent, to mediocre, to disappointing. Though my initial trip to GS left me feeling pretty satisfied that I had a viable "nice" dinner option, subsequent trips for brunch, lunch and dinner, though, turned into a cavalcade of disappointment, particularly after they transitioned to an all-vegan menu. I've had most things on their menu, the artichoke dip is decent as is the hummus plate (but that's just hummus), the spring rolls and california rolls taste just like a bunch of bland vegetables rolled in rice paper. Entrees have left me, overall, underwhelmed. The chili is dependable, but unexciting, the risotto and 'alfredo' linguini are, on a good day, bland. The sesame-encrusted tofu is ambitious but fails on almost every level because they literally do nothing with it except roll it in sesame seeds. I would be embarassed if I took one of my carnivorous friends here and ordered it, it is the epitome of every stupid stereotype about vegetarian cuisine: a block of bland, mushy plant protein rolled in seeds and served with seaweed and miso paste to make it mildly appetizing. That's probably my biggest problem with Great Sage: I became a vegetarian only a year or so ago, and while I made a choice not to eat meat, I didn't want to sacrifice enjoying a good meal, I still like hearty meals, fat, salt and sugar, there are barely any of those kinds of meals at Great Sage. Most of them are so far down the health-nut/granola rabbit hole they may as well be served by a March Hare and Mad Hatter. My other problem with Great Sage, is for a place that bills itself as all-organic and loca-vore, the veggies are pretty bland. I'm still puzzled as to what exactly I'm paying for when I get the bill. I guess the desserts are pretty good, but I don't think I've ever spent less than $35 for two people on any given meal here. I've spent a fraction of that in other places and had far better meals. If you have open-minded parents or friends, I'm sure they'll enjoy the evening out, but don't expect any converts, or any of them to return to GS on their own accord.
(2)
Standards H.
I first went to Great Sage about 3 years ago and the food was good but the service terrible. I'm not sure if they were short staffed or what but our group was there for nearly two hours and could barely get our server to say boo to us. I have since been several times and the service has gotten MUCH better. I usually get the rueben and it is delicious. I have had several types of soup and they have also been quite tasty. They make excellent bloody mary's and had amazing mulled wine last fall. They also have a nice beer and wine selection. I'm far from vegan or even vegetarian but this place is still a treat when I want to pretend:)
(4)
Matt M.
Our food was excellent. We tried the 'burger' and the 'Reuben' both which were good, although I liked the Reuben better. We also had the artichoke dip which was very fresh. Our waiter was a bit of a loose leaf and took a long time to serve us. Then he brought the bill before he even served us our meal. The manager made up for it though by giving us free soups. Lastly, we had desserts both of which were good. All in all, I would come back.
(4)
Terry S.
So inventive and yummy and I am not vegan, just appreciate well prepared food!!
(4)
Joelyne K.
I absolutely love going to Great Sage. It is a bit pricey but absolutely worth every penny. I go only twice a year for my birthday and to have dinner with an old friend of mine. Each time I try a new dish and love it. The staff is really nice and the atmosphere is extremely welcoming.
(5)
PJ B.
This place should be the standard for all dining experiences. The chef is most talented - we brought our friend who was very apprehensive about going to a vegan restaurant and she left more than pleased with the fine cuisine. The servers are top notch - while we were waiting for our table I overheard another servers' great service and I said "man, i hope we get her," we ended up with another server and he was on point. Further, the servers seems sincere and kind - not cynical or tip hungry. They are clearly passionate about working at such a unique and quality establishment. And, the manager and other staff was super attentive without being overbearing. We live 30 minutes from this place, and it is well worth the drive.
(5)
Julaine N.
I came to Great Sage with high expectations, and they certainly met them. The atmosphere is warm and relaxing inside. They also offer patio seating outside. There were so many great options on the lunch menu, but I decided to try something I didn't usually make it home. I am so glad I did! The pumpkin and black bean enchiladas are delicious! What a wonderful experience! I can't wait to return and try more items on the menu!
(5)
Kathleen K.
Took kids to eat there - didn't tell them it was vegan. Everyone loved everything they ate! They want to go back. So do I. Really delicious food and wonderful service. Note that the desserts we consistently like are the ones on the counter NOT the ones on the menu. You can just go pick one up and take it back to the table and they'll put it on your tab. The german pretzal with dips (appetizer) is a must try. They bake them fresh at the restaurant and they are delicious. Large portions so next time we'll probably share. Oh, and their "ranch" dressing is amazing! Really though, everything is great. Give it a shot!
(4)
Lauren K.
I'm so glad we decided to make the trip out to Maryland from northern VA for dinner! I had heard great things about this place and I echo them all! Before dinner, we stopped by the awesome Roots organic market for some groceries and then I got a great dress at Nest. The fact that these are located right next to Great Sage only adds to the wonderfulness. We went on a Saturday night and had about a 15 minute wait. We started with ginger peach green iced tea (meh). I had a side Santa Fe salad, which was GREAT! It was so perfect and I'm still thinking about it! For my entree, I had the general tso's tofu on veggie fried rice. It was perfectly sweet and spicy. My date started with the side seaweed salad (it was an enormous portion), followed by the coconut curry noodles with tempeh and a side of cornbread. We had no room at all left for dessert, so I can't attest to that, but we will definitely be back here! I need to try the mango lassi!
(4)
Jennifer K.
This vegan restaurant had everything I could have asked for and more! Ginger peach iced tea, sweet potato crusted "chicken" sandwich, and apple cobbler for dessert. Nice serving sizes and lots of options! Would definitely try this place again for happy hour and dinner!
(5)
Jerry F.
The food here is delicious!! I had the Cajun Etouffe. I will definitely come back. The only improvement could be slightly lower prices for some of the appetizers. The "giant" bavarian pretzel could be a little more giant as well - I was imaging something like a soft pretzel sized thing and it came out about 3 inches wide :-) Overall I was really impressed!
(4)
ivonna s.
I have only had the pleasure of eating here once, mainly because it takes me a little over an hour to get to Clarksville, Maryland from my house, but it is definitely on my list of places to get back to in the near future. The restaurant is beautiful and as soon as you enter you are greeted warmly. Even the bar tender smiled at me when I walked in. The restaurant was full of people eating, smiling and chatting. There was really just a wonderful vibe going on in there. The dish I order was amazing; it was vegan, gluten free and raw. Honestly I couldn't have asked for a healthier entree. Ordered the raw "Pasta" primavera and it was delicious. It was a gluten free dish so the "pasta" was made from thinly sliced strips of zucchini. The zucchini pasta was cover with a raw sundried tomato sauce with marinated green beans, shiitake mushrooms, topped with a cashew "parmesan" cheese and served with a piece of raw garlic flax bread (that they make in house). My friend ordered the Great Sage chili and brown rice and it was amazing also (I know because I tasted it). The portion sizes were pretty good. I didn't have any leftovers but I usually never do (I'm greedy). They also have a full bar with organic wines, and I think they even have organic gin, and I will be trying that next time I go. Overall I had a very good experience at Great Sage and I would definitely recommend the food to anyone vegan or not.
(4)
James T.
Great Vegan cuisine and I love their bar!
(5)
Becca S.
Not impressed. Horrible service and less than impressive food. I was excited to try this place but I won't be going back.
(1)
ella m.
We love Great Sage. It's the only place I know anywhere near us that offers organic, 100% vegan food. And oh! It's really good. The service is always friendly and no matter when we go- there's always very delicious food on the menu. I love Sunday brunch here, I love light-fare, dinner is always warm and lovely. After your cruelty free, organic meal, you can shop at Nest for Eco-minded gifts (books, recycled housewares, vegan shoes/belts, organic clothes, etc), Roots Market for organic and local produce and Bark for equally awesome items and healthful food (even some vegan) for your fur friend. There's something in the air here- I can arrive a complete grouch and when I leave- I'm a new person and ready for a paddle boat ride at Centennial Park.
(5)
Anon J.
I live in Alexandria, and it's probably a good thing -- if Great Sage was closer, I'd never cook and I'd be broke. We only get there a couple times a year, but we haven't hit a menu dud yet. Dishes are inventive, with just enough fusion of tastes to make things interesting. Plenty for omnivores with open minds as well as dedicated vegans. The lava cake alone is worth the drive up (I recommend having the coconut "ice cream" with it!). I hope that if the owners decide to open a second store, they consider NoVA. One small complaint: I had the Vietnamese spring rolls, which were delicious but I had to let them sit a while before eating them. Too COLD! Letting them get a little closer to room temp (or more accurately, a little farther from fridge temp) made them much more enjoyable.
(4)
Leah P.
Great Sage, the most popular spot in Clarksville! It's always packed, and I'm fairly positive most of those patrons aren't vegan. We drove all the way from the boonies in Virginia to get to the boonies in Maryland for Great Sage alone, and we've been back two more times. That's nine hours of driving for three meals. It's worth it, though, because in an area so heavily populated (the DMV), completely vegan restaurants are few and far between. So - that being said - if you're going for weekend dinner (or even lunch) call ahead and make a reservation. The restaurant is small and the decor is warm and fun. Drinks are awesome - try the Chocolate Mint Cookie Shake or the Pumpkin Chai (seasonal) shake. They'll also make you a regular vanilla shake out of coconut or soy ice cream. For appetizers, the black bean and roasted corn quesadilla was delicious, my favorite menu item overall. I'm told the california roll is pretty good, too. For dinner, the Adult Mac & Cheese sauce has a great flavor - so cheesy- but admittedly, I pushed most of the veggies around. They were plentiful and crunchy, and I would've preferred them on the side instead of mixed in with the noodles. The paella is tooooo spicy - inedible for the sensitive. The bacon superfood burger was massive and palatable, though don't expect your average veggie burger patty. Try the Specials! There are some amazing ones. Desserts are a must, so save room: the chocolate lava cake is rich, decadent, and definitely worth the calories. I have yet to try the famous carrot cake! Save up before you go - it's not insanely pricey but tends to add up ($10/appetizer, $16/entree, before you add in drinks and dessert...). Think: date night, family in town, birthday... also, parking is pretty awful when it's busy. Before you leave, stop by ROOTS market next door, especially if you're vegan: tons of preprepared vegan foods (including Great Sage desserts), and a little known secret - they sell Cleo's peanut butter cups!
Great Sage was pretty GREAT. My meat-eating mother went there with her vegan friends, and had a awesome time, so I wanted to check it out, because when meat eaters like vegan food... I mean its something to Yelp about. I had this GREAT cocktail which tasted like a root beer float. I forgot what it was called. Maybe because it was so good. The bartender (who was totally cool) showed me the root beer liquor bottle. That jont was like 90 proof. I highly recommend it, but be warned because its practically an entire dessert. Anyways, I was already having a GREAT time waiting to be seated. My meal was pretty GREAT also. I had the raw tacos, which werent incredible, but I think because I assumed they would be warm/hot when I got them, but I dont know why I thought that because it was raw. But they were more or less delicious, and it came with some parsnip raw rice thing which was, you know, different than rice, but very good. It was quite filling as well. All in all, a great meal, especially because of the drinks. But I was a vegan and a vegetarian for a long time, so Im sort of familiar with that kind of dining. Someone who doesnt like vegetarian food might not want to be at this restaurant. Its also pretty expensive; I feel that the average alternatively opinioned, raw-vegan dieter probably couldnt really afford this place. But its GREAT
(4)
K Sera S.
If you're a vegetarian or vegan, this is the place for you. The food is absolutely great, very creative and reasonably priced. Even if you're a carnivore, you will find something you will enjoy here (not just something you'll choke down and not just some kind of salad). Why the lowish rating? Great Sage seems to suffer from the curse of so many vegetarian restaurants. Bad, untrained and unprofessional service. Pasty, pierced and tattooed youth, still bitter about whatever it is Goth and neo-hippie kids are bitter about, do not make for the best waitstaff. Uninformed about dishes, slow to respond...the vibe is that they're doing you a favor by bringing you the food. You know what? Communism failed. You ARE there to serve me. Do it reasonably well, and I will show my genuine gratitude and appreciation by tipping you. Definitely give GS a try--the food is incomparable to any other vegetarian options in the area. But plan for the experience to be a bit slow, possibly even surly.
(3)
David K.
Great food. Fresh ingredients and interesting recipes means there is no sacrifice in eating healthier food here.
I appreciate Great Sage for what it tries to do. It is a very lovely space with knowledgeable and friendly staff. I've only been here twice, and once was years ago, so I can't speak to that first visit. Their menu is extensive and the specials are unique. For example, on my last visit there was an artichoke "crab" cake that was absolutely divine. It was a bit soft--it fell off the bun--but it tasted really good. It came with homemade slaw and a pickle. There were a lot of other things on the menu that I'd like to try too, like a seitan Wellington. On this last visit, I also enjoyed a most amazing appetizer, one that I would order as an entree the next time: a Japanese salad made with glass noodles, seaweed, red pepper, red cabbage, and a very delicious soy dressing. The only thing I don't like is that the baked goods I've had seem consistently dry. The cornbread, the bread, etc. I don't know if they make them in advance and I just get day-old items, but it's worrisome. The service is great and even entertaining. Our server, Harris, was conversational and friendly and made us all have a really great evening. Thanks, Great Sage, for doing what you do!
(5)
Esther O.
I can't figure out how on earth to rate Great Sage. I want to give them 5 *hundred* stars for being a vegan restaurant with a wonderful atmosphere for a night out - not really anywhere else in this area that fits the bill. But they don't *quite* get it right when it comes to the food, and that's disappointing. Everything else is perfect. Wonderful atmosphere, friendly helpful staff, varied menu, nice wine... everything everything is great. The food was a small disappointment. I brought a huge number of omnivore friends for my birthday, and I was really hoping to wow them with what vegan food could be. Maybe I was just spoiled by Gobo in NYC, but nothing lived up to that, by a long shot. Presentation was wonderful, and certainly nothing was bad - but nothing blew me away either. Not because it was vegan - there just wasn't quite enough flavor, or something...? I can't put my finger on it. That being said, I hope they do well and maybe figure out the flavors a bit more, because I would love to see more such restaurants in the area. And we certainly had a wonderful evening out by coming here, I think you're guaranteed to have a nice evening.
(3)
P. M.
Great vegan food with many options for different preferences from salads and soups to nice brunches to hearty dinners and tasty sweet treats. Nice staff. Only down side is the location, but it's worth the trip every once in a while. Plus, the other Conscious Corner stores make this even more worthwhile to check out.
(4)
J D.
one of the only places like this around......something straight out of san fran or santa cruz...good food.
(5)
Dawnn J.
I love this place! Not my first time here, but came in during Lite Fare and was the only person in the place...that's what I call dedicated service. Quaint, cozy, and healthy. The bartender Harris was full of great recommendations...we talked whisky and life...good times. The chili and brown rice is good...very filling and good flavor. Comes with vegan cheese and sour cream, and corn bread. Corn bread can be a little dry, so I recommend asking for soy margarine on the side. Drinks - they currently have a Spiced Hot Cider with Wild Turkey Honey Bourbon that is Fantastic! Wine list is a little brief, but pleasantly great! Panther pinot noir, Yellow and Blue Malbec, and Lolonis Red Zin are my favorites for those who love fruit forward, jammy reds. *****Half priced bottles of wine Thursday nights during the live music portion of evening. Starts 8:30 pm. ********Special dinner on Monday, Jan 18th - Raw Superfoods Dinner - $45 pp. Looks really good!
(5)
A H.
I am a vegetarian, not necessarily vegan but my boyfriend surprised me and took me out to eat here. The space is very nice, and they are families as well as couples here. Our waiter was a nice guy a little sarcastic for such an upscale place. I got a mushroom stroganoff, and it wasn't all that great. I got a hot tea and there are alot of options which is great because I love trying new teas. They serve it to you in a little teapot that stays warm, and have natural tea leaves steeping inside. The only thing is they will give you a refill of hot water, but would not give me anymore tea leaves. Which kind of defeats the point, because if I wanted water I would just drink it cold, and not pay an extra 2$ for it to be heated. My expectations were higher than what I received, for the price. I thought I would get a lot more food. My boyfriend got a bean burger and it was good, but like I said the prices are high here. At the near end of our meal, the busser came over to us and said "Are you gonna wrap it up or...." I guess he was trying to get us to leave. It was kind of weird.
(3)
Gaz H.
If you are stuck with vegan dietary restrictions, you aren't going to do much better than this. The kitchen is creative and talented. They use great bread and decent pasta. And they make nothing...taste like food. Many of the dishes mentioned by my fellow yelpers were great to try (artichoke spinach dip, samosas, adult mac and cheese). The "burger" was served with some great honey mustard and nice accompaniments, but I wouldn't order it again. The carrot cake ice cream that was on special the night we attended was especially delightful...I'll bet the actual carrot cake is good. Pleasant, friendly and helpful servers (only a couple of scrawny bearded hippy vegan types in the bunch - a not overwhelming vibe, all things considered). Decor is thoughtful with rich colors - I daresay a good place to take a vegan on a date. Bathrooms were at the Starbucks level; certainly below the standard of the rest of the establishment.
(4)
Miles L.
Great sage has awesome food, a wonderful staff, a relaxing environment, and good prices. Im not a vegan and I love it. Best vegan and gluten free restaurant in the state hands down!
(5)
Ken R.
One of the worst dining experiences I have had in a while. I had heard a lot about this place and was looking forward to trying it. The food was quite good, if somewhat overpriced. The service was terrible. The hostess crossed our name off of the wait list by mistake and so we waited for over an hour before being seated at one of the tables on the sidewalk out front. She neglected to tell us that we would not be able to order alcohol out there, and the waiter wasn't aware of it either until after he took our drink orders, then returned to sheepishly give us the news. I don't like waiters who hover while you dine, but the wait staff here is at the other end of the spectrum, slow and unattentive. If not for the food I would never go back, but I am inclined to give it one more try. Disappointed
(2)
Cheryl L.
Even if you are not vegan you will fall in love with this place. The food, atmosphere and service is outstanding!! I recommend the spinach artichoke dip, best I have ever had!! This place also has a great drink menu.
(5)
Juan G.
Best vegan restaurant in the area! Wish they would open another one in Baltimore...
(5)
Kathy J.
Our first time eating out at a vegan resturant. The bar has been set very very high. The Mac and cheese was incredible. The chocolate lava cake was everything I had wished for. The only problem I see is that I live in SC and am only in town for the holiday and I can't go anytime I like! Go you will not be disappointed.
(5)
elizabeth c.
I've eaten here about 6 times in the past 4 or so years, and have always had an excellent overall experience. I can even remember this place before it was 100% vegan - which it is now. We were so impressed this weekend that we went two nights in a row, and had two fabulous servers, and two fabulous experiences. Here are my thoughts: Excellent food and really raw-friendly and gluten-free friendly. Favorite dishes include: raw rolls (swoon...swoon!), open-faced veggie burger, California salad, Santa Fe salad, raw juices, CARROT CAKE!! Best. Vegan. Carrot. Cake. Ever. P.S. - it's gluten free. Fantastic Service (was surprised at recent reviews that reflected a poor service experience). Generous and appealing seating area, including about 6 outdoor tables on a deck for warm weather. Very solid espresso, and I am mad picky about that. Fair prices. Sustainable/organic/local focused menu My only con is as follows - I think the cocktails could be stepped up a notch. There is a solid assortment of non-alcoholic beverages, including raw juices and smoothies. And in terms of the alcohol, the place has some really fantastic organic, sustainable, top-shelf spirits. And they have at their disposal (and use to an extent) fantastic mixers - i.e., fresh-pressed juices, fruits and other garnishes. The drinks are tasty and the cocktail list is a nice, smallish size, but I can't help but feel that the restaurant hasn't really focused on high-end drink presentation or mixing. The bartender we had this weekend is a totally competent guy with a fantastic personality and a nice approach - don't get me wrong. But some overall training on "mixology" for all of the servers/bartenders and getting really creative in the bar as well as the kitchen would catapult this spot to 5 stars in my book.
(4)
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Address :5809 Clarksville Square Dr
Clarksville, MD, 21029
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Brunch, Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Cydney L.
Worth the drive! Met a friend for lunch and we thoroughly enjoyed everything. We tried the buffalo cauliflower, "goat cheese" flatbread, hearts of palm "crabcake," and the chipotle bowl with sweet potatoes and avocado. Everything was good- but the flatbread was excellent. Caramelized onions and biting, briny olives with a bit of arugula and smoked cashew cheese. Really good. Menu was clear, options were explained, service was pretty standard. I'm really happy I finally got to try this place! Bonus: nearby shops (Nest and Roots) are fun for a quick wander-through, too.
(5)A. D.
Came for brunch on Father's Day. Amazing food and atmosphere. The pierogi quesadillas are fantastic. The basil chicken salad is also a great dish - even had my father raving. Flavors are bold and delicious. There are also plenty of gluten and soy free options. I can't wait to come back and sample more dishes. Definitely a new favorite in the area for me. Worth trying and supporting this place!! Also there is an organic market, clothing store, pet supply, and wine store in the same shopping center - love it here.
(5)Ellen K.
My family and I are long time regulars at Great Sage, and in fact, it's pretty much our go-to place to eat now as a family because it's healthy and it easily caters to the needs of us family veg*ns in the Columbia/Ellicott City area. That said, however, it's still not the restaurant I get most excited about dining at. However, if you haven't been here in the last year or so, they have vastly improved their service and food. Less than a year ago or so, this place underwent a management change. Before that, the service was downright atrocious and slow, staff would be hanging around the kitchen doorway but not actually attending to tables, and the menu items were more likely than not a hit-or-miss, including the daily specials. Examples: I had a sour Mac and cheese containing too many artichokes and one time our whole party ordered the pasta special that looked like a platter of pasta with just a smattering of sauce and even less veggie toppings. Total disappointment. We wanted to like them back then, but nothing really pulled together, from the flavors to the service. These days, the staff is much more attentive, although sometimes the vibe from some of the staff is still a little awkward. The menu is also a huge step up from before, seasonally planned, with much less misses. However, considering the pretty high price point, I would expect they put more creativity into the sides. Their sautéed kale / chard / coleslaw still leave a lot to be desired. Also, we have found hairs on numerous occasions in our food, which we noted to the staff. To be fair, I would probably rate Great Sage a 3.8 if I could, and all in all, they really are making great strides. We look forward to coming back - and saving room for the chocolate lava cake!
(3)Wayne G.
As healthy eaters but non vegans and non vegetarians this was an experience for us. The food was much better than we expected. Except for the gluten free bagel I opted for we were pleased.
(3)Stuart F.
Wow - this is place is really impressive. Excellent decor and environment, great service, reasonable prices, and most importantly, delicious food! I decided to skip fast food on a I-95 road trip and veer out toward this place, and I was really glad I did. The cauliflower buffalo wings were terrific. They happily gave my friend extra sauces to go with his entree. Now that I know how good this place is, I know it's worth a frequent drive from DC for a great dinner.
(5)Melba M.
I love Great Sage! The food (quality, taste, presentation) rivals any fine dining establishment in the area and the servers have been consistently attentive. I love having the ability to choose anything from the menu and not worry about dairy or other animal by-products. The spinach-artichoke appetizer and adult mac-n-cheese are both far tastier than any traditional cheese-based version I've ever had. I struggle to not include one or both on nearly every dinner visit. I do wish you could order from either the lunch or dinner menu between 3 and 5pm, as I'm not overly impressed with the limited light fare selections. However, I've experienced full lunch, brunch and dinner regularly and love the varied selections. I don't think I've had one bad entree. I just wish they'd add french toast to the brunch menu. My only other criticism would be dessert, as these have been more often misses than hits for me. Nearly every cake I've tried has been dry and hard. I finally tried the chocolate lava cake because my husband had raved about it and gotten it three consecutive visits before switching to the Mahalo cake (his new fav - which I personally find too dry and hard, as well); but sadly when I ordered my lava cake, it was overcooked and dry -- very tasty, however, just not "lava-like." My favorite dessert was the coconut-based vanilla ice cream, but lately it seems to taste more like soy than coconut. It doesn't have the same creamy, luscious mouth-feel it used to have. If you're even remotely in the area, I'd highly recommend stopping by Great Sage, but I wouldn't feel compelled to save room for dessert.
(4)Ricky H.
I recently had lunch at this wonderful organic cuisine located in the Concious Corner in Clarksville. Talk about yummy! I had the Thai 'chicken' Salad, which is tossed with soba buckwheat noodles, toasted almonds, mango, scallion, sesame, local corn, crisp romaine, peanut sauce and a light Thai-chili vinaigrette. Topped with crispy rice noodles. Pure deliciousness. To drink I had Super Green 'Live' Juice, juiced to order. Kind of like a Naked super green drink, only fresher and much better. At this time, Thursday nites are 1/2 priced wine and live music nites! Can't wait to try the dinner menu!
(5)Miss C.
Had the bean chili with brown rice and spinach & cornbread with a side of apple/walnut strudel. Delish!! Waiters reminded me of something out of a French film...plus despite the cold quite a few folks w/infants. Classic!!
(4)V In T.
WHY DO YOU HAVE TO BE SO FAR AWAY? Great Sage, i've been looking for you for years. food was amazing- i finally had a savory tofu scramble for the first time since the 90's. lots of food, lots of options and it was all GOOD. the biscuits and gravy are still sitting in my belly- in a good way. If this place was down the street i'd be there every other day. sadly, it is not.
(5)HowChow B.
Great Sage in Clarkville comes with no meat, but a mess of hype from places like the WPost and the Sun. It's a vegetarian restaurant from the same people who own the Roots grocery, and the kitchen serves a seasonal menu of healthy, hearty food. This is a beautiful place. The decor is modern and understated with wooden carvings and a beautiful waterfall on the farthest wall. With one side facing trees, it pulls off sophisticated because it shows a little less parking lot than Aida Bistro or House of India. I'm prattling on because I'm not sure how to describe the food. I enjoy it. On my last trip, I went alone and ate slowly while reading a magazine. A Mexican-inspired appetizer with beans, brown rice and guacamole perched on a crisp tortilla. Then a Thai-inspired coconut-milk curry with tofu and squash. They were delicious. They were also relatively subtle, relying on the expectation that people who choose Great Sage are people who relish well-cooked winter squash. This isn't the spicy-sour zest that comes from Bangkok Delight's curries. It's a different cuisine that pushes the vegetable flavors to the front. My advice is to focus on dishes that look like vegetables -- the soups, the Mediterranean plate appetizer, the curries, the dishes that aren't masquerading as something specific. My one disappointing visit was the night that I ordered "bulgogi" and Mrs. HowChow ordered a "burger." We love those dishes. Great Sage doesn't serve them. It serves a soft vegetable patty on a roll and serves some kind of soy product in a mild sauce. The kimchi next to the soy product was delicious, but there wasn't really bulgogi or a burger on our table so our expectations made them disappointing.
(3)Reda L.
First time...I love the environment, the dessert and alcohol. Food portion is a bit much, but it is a good price for what you get. I would go again and try something different.
(4)Chuck F.
Great food, good atmosphere (reminds me of a deli for some reason) and great service. We opted for nachos as an appetizer which were fabulous... not everything is vegan, but the vegan-ize anything on the menu (don't be afraid to ask). Too bad Clarksville is so far away! Or maybe it's a good thing...
(4)Andrea R.
Very fresh and great service. Reasonable children's options on the menu. We will definitely be back.
(5)Adam G.
So I went here a few weeks ago and they have changed things a bit. The menu is tweaked, with some old favorites still on their but new stuff as well. Cornbread was amazing. Mostly, though, I noticed a marked improvement in service - the server was very prompt and we were frequently attended to without it being overbearing. The manager/owner also came by to check on everything and seemed to have a genuine interest in feedback, not just a canned hello how are you. The restaurant was moderately busy, but they handled all of it with ease, so kudos to changes. So...4.5 stars rounded up.
(5)Ina C.
Me and Great Sage aren't a natural match. First, it's a 30-minute drive, mostly on a one-lane road. Second, it's in Clarksville. I didn't even know Clarksville existed before last night! Third, it's vegetarian! Even considering all these factors, I'm confidently giving this vegetarian/vegan restaurant four stars because I had a great time! I liked the overall feel of the place as soon as I walked in. Friendly people, slightly dimmed lighting and an open yet cozy dining room made me feel right at home. The menu was a little scary. All those vegetables! There aren't as many options as I'd hoped, but there was still quite a variety, especially since the dishes have some international influences (Thai, Indian). I ordered the southwest burger, and my friend had a salad and a small chili. The burger was really good, though the patty on its own is really crumbly and not so tasty. But the whole package - with the bun, guacamole, chipotle sauce - was really, REALLY good. It was a special that night, so I got my beer for $1! My friend's chili was really hearty and yummy! Even the side chili that we got was a pretty good portion. I can't imagine how big the regular chili is! The salad was a bit too limey and had a tex-mex twist, though it wasn't really supposed to according to the menu. Eh. We ordered the fudge chocolate cake thing with ice cream for our dessert, and this was TO DIE FOR. It came in a shallow, round dish (kinda like creme brulee), and it was moist, not too sweet and the perfect end to our meal. The service was really fantastic. I think her name was Veronica. She was patient, answered all of our questions, was there when we needed her and left us alone when my friend and I were deep in conversation. The bill came out to around $33. For organic, vegetarian/vegan food, we were surprised that it was so cheap! Dondra, the manager, came by with a pitcher of water to greet her guests, and when she found out that it was our first time there, she brought us a couple of coupons for the store next door! She seemed to be so genuinely friendly and happy that whatever reservations we had about the place melted away! I'd been eating crap for breakfast, lunch and dinner these days, and it was SO refreshing to get a healthy and filling meal in me! I highly recommend Great Sage to ANYONE.
(4)Brittany P.
Had I not been so disappointed in the Grilled Reuben, it would've been 5 stars. Here's my review: whatthisveganeats.com/20… !
(4)Hope V.
Absolutely love this restaurant. All of the food is vegan and organic, but still delicious! They have a wonderful atmosphere and offer both indoor and outdoor seating. Their mashed potatoes are so good they don't need butter of anything else added, the cornbread is sweet, and their rice ice cream sundae is a great dessert option. An expensive place, but absolutely worth it for healthy, delicious food.
(5)barry b.
I have eaten here a number of times, which one has to do if he has vegetarian or vegan friends. This is a vegan restaurant. For example, you can't get milk for your coffee. Most of the food is extremely bland. Surprisingly, there are just a few dishes which are not bland and are quite tasty. If you like your food without spices you may like this restaurant a lot. The waitstaff is friendly but not well trained and slow to satisfy special requests. The water they give you is room temperature! There is a good variety of dishes, served in an attractive manner. The fruit shakes are very good but expensive for a small quantity. Perhaps that's because they use real fruit.
(2)Kendrick H.
Saw the review in yelp, made the trek out to Clarksville from Bethesda for a lazy weekend brunch and I'm glad I did. (I recently transitioned from omnivore to pescatarian to vegetarian and I've been looking for interesting veg places to try out.) The brunch menu had plenty of variety, a good balance between breakfast and lunch selections, including specials. The food itself was flavorful and satisfying: the style of the vegetarian food here is more simple than gourmet (by simple, I mean that the dishes are designed to allow the natural flavors of the food stand out). Service was friendly and attentive, and the restaurant had a nice atmosphere to it: large windows let plenty of light in, nice wood tones on the walls. All in all, it was all I could ask for on a lazy weekend morning. I will definitely be back in the future, hopefully to try out their weekend special dinner entrees or to check out some of their beer/wine-pairing dinners.
(4)MissEasy T.
Best vegetarian/vegan food in Maryland. I'm in the City and make a special trip for this place. Service always attentive. Nice atmosphere. I go back every chance I get.
(5)Katherine I.
Friendly, fresh, and flavorful this vegetarian restaurant is great for lunch or a meatless dinner with friends. The place has a fresh look and feel, very open dining area, and nice small bar. Cocktails and other beverages are mixed well and served promptly. The service is good but can get a little slow when things get busy. I admit I'm no vegan but the chipotle vegan mayonnaise is one of the best mayonnaises I've had. I recommend the southwestern burger and the meatloaf. I have not had a single bad soup. Each one was individual. They will make anything vegan for you if you wish. And try and leave room for dessert!
(4)Tina J.
I really enjoyed the Artichoke Spinach Dip and the Thai "Chicken" Wrap.
(4)Kedar D.
I liked the atmosphere, concept and location of this restaurant. Service was friendly and prompt. But the food didn't stand out in my mind. My tomato tofu curry was a poor approximation of an Asian dish (though it was called a "fusion" dish) and makes me wonder if I shouldn't have ordered the meatloaf instead. My friend's penne-basil dish was much tastier, which gives me a hint that this place does European/American food better than any other genre on its menu. Our Earth Day-special "dirt cake" was minty, moist and delicious; our carrot cake, however, was mediocre and its frosting was overpowering. On a whole, I think Great Sage can improve, but they seem to be on the right track and I appreciate that they opened up in a difficult, remote, suburban area.
(3)Ann S.
Being vegetarian and being vegan- two totally different animals. I am vegetarian, so I was looking forward to a place that had roasted vegetables, some sort of yummy grain like quinoa.. not trying to fake meat. The special for the night I went was "crab cake", made from artichokes. I do not like artichokes, (does that make me a bad vegetarian?), so when I asked the waiter if it tasted like artichokes he said "no, when I tried it, I thought it was crab". When I tasted it, I tasted chickpeas, and I'm not even sure it they were in there. The dish I got was luke warm, as if it was one of the last special plates of the evening. My dining friend ordered a dish that was supposed to be served with garlic whipped potatoes. They were chunky at best. The service was ok- somewhat slow, but they were busy. The food... I've had better. I ate at Tower Oaks the next night and had stuffed peppers. It was a much better meal, and still vegan. With a plethora of vegetables, why try so hard to make meat out of them?
(3)Daniel S.
This is my second favorite vegetarian restaurant. My non-vegetarian family loves it, and we've driven up from Virginia just to go because it's that good. It might be a good place to take vegetarian-skeptical friends/relatives over any other restaurant in the area. That said, I do think location is kinda bad unless you live in Columbia. Eat their lava cake. It's better than any non-vegan ones I've ever had.
(5)Jeff A.
This is one of my favorite restaurants. What they do with vegan food is amazing. It's healthy, tasty, and the presentation puts it a step above most other places close by. Regardless of whether you are a vegetarian or simply an open-minded diner, this place has something for everyone. The service is generally great. Thursday night they have 1/2 price wine bottles - can't complain about that. I particularly am enjoying their raw menu recently. Had the Navajo Tacos along with the California Rolls. I have no idea how they made the taco shells, but they were fantastic.
(5)J H.
Maybe this is a bias review... maybe not. I'm not very keen with mother nature. Although, I did start shopping at Whole Foods and I use those reusable bags instead of plastic. That's the closest I'll get to raw, organic, vegetarian, vegan, whatever. So you may ask, how did a person like me end up at Great Sage? I had no freakin idea what type of food they served... Boy, was I disappointed. I got the reuben... thinking that it had meat in it. Why the heck would you name a vegetarian sandwich a "reuben"? Pastrami, sauerkraut, thousand island goodness comes to mind when I think of reuben. Not chick peas... I rest my case. For you foodies that are into eco friendly lifestyles, this may be the "it" place for you. For everyone else... there is a Wendys and McDonalds near by.
(2)Alexis G.
3.5 stars I had heard a lot about this place, so stopped here on my way home from Philadelphia. It's not too far off 95 so it was an easy pit stop. The menu was much smaller than I thought it would be, and the drink selection was just OK. My friend ordered the meatloaf, and it was not very good, I wouldn't recommend. I had the chili, which was pretty good. I would recommend that. We also had the guacamole appetizer, which was also pretty good. Overall, I was not wowed by the place. I was hoping it would be more like Red Bamboo in NYC. Don't get me wrong, though, I would come here again.
(3)Deb L.
I don't get the hype. I have a (omnivore) friend who loves this place and recommended it to me. The waitress was fantastic - friendly, remembered our orders without having to write them down, and extremely helpful. However, the only thing that stuck out in my mind about my meal was the smoothie I had ordered -- it was fantastic. Unfortunately, the rest of the food was not. The portions were small and the food was also rather bland. The place gets a thumbs up for being organic, but was overall, not very memorable. Great decor, but I don't go to a restaurant for the decorations.
(3)Susannah S.
The only downside of Great Sage is the time and distance of the pilgrimage, but it's 5-stars-worth it. Seasonal menus, fun cocktails, and of course the *entire* menu from which to choose. The staff is funky-friendly and always very gracious to roll me out the front door every time I leave. Pool your gas money and give it a shot.
(5)Alyssa B.
Delicious. I have been here for dinner and for brunch and both were amazing. Both times I went with carnivores and they were happy with their meals as well. It can get pricey but if you're up for a small splurge, you won't be disappointed. The staff was very nice as well and friendly.
(4)Aaron S.
Without exaggeration, Great Sage is one of the best restaurants I have ever been to. The food is purely vegan and tastes fantastic. The prices are very reasonable. The service is first rate. The ambiance is very nice and makes you feel relaxed from the moment you walk in. The staff are all incredibly nice, helpful and professional. And to top it off, every Thursday night there is a different live band, which plays jazz, folk, blues and classics. I drive all the way from DC and my girlfriend all the way from Baltimore just so we can go to this restaurant. Highly recommend you check it out for yourself!
(5)Sunmy B.
Though I am your typical carnivore and love meat, this is the only vegan restaurant that I can say I am a fan of. Each time I go to Great Sage, the food is fresh, appetizing, and you don't even realize you are eating vegan. There is a huge selection offered on the menu. I particularly like their wraps and eggplant dishes. It's a great place to go for lunch and kid-friendly too. The service is great and of course, the restaurant has a very earthy, zen feel.
(4)Stephanie G.
Perfect for vegans and everyone else! They have interesting, healthy dished that use veggies and grains very creatively, but a picky/boring eater could do well there too. LOVE Sunday brunch and dinner.
(5)Elizabeth S.
Since my last review, I have been here again twice - once for dinner again and another time for breakfast. As far as dinner, I had the chicken tostadas again and they were just as good as last time. The service, however, was lacking on the first run of just about everything. Ordered wine, my glass was dirty. Not smudged in an unnoticeable way, as sometimes wine glasses are, but straight up dirty. Since I wasn't able to flag down our waiter, I went up to the bar and the situation was swiftly corrected. As far as my dinner, well...the waiter dropped half of it on the floor. Fast forward 20 minutes to my new plate of food, with extra 'chicken' and half of my first run of dinner still laying on the floor. It's true. They didn't actually bother to clean it up. The reason they still get 4 stars is that they corrected both mistakes without hassle or complaint. Perhaps my standards have dropped since moving to Miami, but this is a big deal to me. For breakfast another time, I had the Chef's Pottata of the Day. I forget what was in it, but it was decent. Although I slathered it with ketchup and hot sauce for seasoning purposes (a little bland). The coffee was some of the best I've had and they offer soy and coconut milk creamers. We also ordered the Decadent Cinnamon Roll, which was seriously delicious. We shared it between 4 of us as an appetizer. I think if i tried to down the whole thing myself I would get sick. Another person at the table had the Huevos Rancheros and it was pretty good. We also ordered drinks. Throwing caution to the wind, because we all have seriously high standards for Bloody Mary's, that's what we ordered. This was a big mistake. They were awful. Watered down and cheap vodka (maybe, I'm not all that sure what kind they used). It was basically the worst Bloody Mary I've ever had. We let our waitress know that we weren't happy and she was very apologetic and replaced them with tMimosa's at once. They were amazing and refreshing. The orange juice tasted freshly squeezed and there was just the right amount of champagne in them. I'll be back since I'm always willing to give second chances, but I have to admit, I'd want their dinner options far more than their brunch.
(4)Mike C.
We appreciate the uniqueness of the place - organic, vegan. As vegetarians, we were thrilled with the many different choices. The restaurant deserves kudos for serving thoughtful dishes to an audience that is frequently ignored at other places. My wife had a Thai dish (some parts good, some OK, $14). I had a southwestern salad (pretty darn good tofu and delicious all around, $11) with a side of good-tasting, but dry cornbread, $4. The kids shared a kids meal with mac and vegan "cheese" (creamy, but "off tasting" if you're expecting real cheese taste, $6) that came with a side of broccoli. The bread consisted of four disappointing small and cool slices and came with dipping oil. My wife and kids shared a very good Mango Lassi ($6). The service started off cool, but was friendlier near the end. Oddly, warm water was served (there was no ice in the pitcher), and I had to ask for a cup of ice. For us, the price is too high to make regular visits. With tax and tip - $50 and I had a salad and no drink, and my kids split a meal. Still, it's good to know Great Sage is there....
(3)Naomi S.
Eh. If you're vegan and want something special this is about it. If you're vegetarian or omnivorous there is better. Cheaper too. I thought the cinnamon bun was a bunch of white bread which was vaguely introduced to cinnamon and a huge dollop of sour cream based sauce. Wait staff is very earnest. The coffee was good.
(3)Denise F.
Great Sage is the BEST restaurant I have ever been to. Super amazing food like raw portabello steaks with cashew cream sauce. Super amazing cocktails made with organic blackberry juice. Super friendly servers! I've had great conversations with them, AND I saw a nice young waitress gently assist a bug to the outdoors. I love that. And super amazing dessert: cinnamon fruit crisp, it was perfect! Just what I like! But get there a little early so you have time to shop at Roots market which is righ next door. They're great too!
(5)Carol B.
This is my favorite go-to spot for guaranteed great vegan food. The only drawback is that it's a little more pricey than I think it's worth. I suggest going the water-only route and it'll be better. A vegan/vegetarian's paradise still, however.
(4)V. S.
We used to dine here routinely, 2-5 times per month, despite frequently inattentive service (we watched our plates grow cold under the heat lamps while our server was nowhere to be found more than once) and the occasional moldy lemon or bug in the food, because we want to support vegan businesses. Further, Great Sage frequently shares a portion of sales on a particular day with a charity that helps animals. However, after a dissatisfying series of exchanges with one of the managers after which we felt completely unappreciated as customers, we haven't been back since the spring of 2010. Fortunately there are many restaurants in the area that serve excellent vegan food. Liquid Earth in Baltimore, and Busboys and Poets in Hyattsville (not vegan but delicious vegan choices on the menu) are among favorites.
(2)Renee S.
I want to give this place a 5 because it's one of the very few vegan options in the area. We drove out to here from Baltimore city to give it a go. I had the LENTIL-WALNUT GRIDDLE CAKE and my vegan dining partner had their special -- a vegan burger with sweet potato fries. Both, just ok. Not horrible, but nothing to get excited about. The service was excellent. The food came out super fast. I loved my glass of reisling and the dessert was great (Carrot Cake). But, the dinner itself, meh. I like to think I'd come back. But, it's quite a haul from B'more for an ok meal.
(2)Ela B.
Absolutely delicious experience. The atmosphere was beautiful, the wine was good (despite being organic!), and the ginger mojito cocktail was delicious. The food? Now that was amazing. Tempeh, greens, potatoes, turnips, chipotle sauce, mmmm. There were mushrooms in at least half the dishes. I'm really not a mushroom fan and was able to order mostly around them, but I'm pretty sure the greens had truffle oil (and they were so good, I didn't even complain at all!). Someone else mentioned to stick with the things that are supposed to be vegetables, and I'd agree -- we had a quesadilla made with vegan cheese that was tasty, but not nearly as delicious as the rest of the food. The service was a bit lacking, but that could have been because the waitress thought we wanted to be left alone or because the place was hopping. When it took them a few minutes to come over and take our order at the beginning, our drinks were (very unexpectedly) comped. Beautiful. I intend to stop in whenever I'm going up 95 or 295 -- no more Arundel Mills for lunch!
(5)Lucas F.
Great Sage is an great place for the atmosphere. The restaurant is a step above most places with a pleasant interior. It is nicely decorated with natural colors and friendly staff. However, the food leaves something to be desired. It is pretty but lacking in taste. I ordered the Vegetable Terrine which is basically a lasagne made with squash, spinach, mushrooms, and plenty of olive oil. Herbs were also listed on the menu, but I couldn't taste it. It tasted mostly of squash and olive oil, which is to say, pretty bland. It did look very nice. The terrine was very colorful and carefully plated. However, I much prefer tasty food to pretty food. Others in my group got the Panang Red Curry. They liked it, but no one seemed overly impressed. I found the entrées to be overpriced for the taste. However, that is probably not fair when you consider that everything is organic. I'm not vegetarian or one for eating all organic, so I'm not adjusted to the price premium. Great Sage needs to work on upping the flavor to give a better impression of what good vegetarian food can be. I would rather go to a good Indian restaurant and get some tasty vegetarian that go to Great Sage. The restaurant is very nice and pleasant place hang out with friends, but the food needs to improve to justify the price.
(3)Valerie H.
So much potential but poorly executed. In full disclosure, I live in San Franciso, was visiting Baltimore and decided to try Great Sage since I am accustomed to eating local organic produce all the time in the bay area. Sadly, Great Sage is no comparison to local organic restaurants in Northern CA. I'm not sure if it is because the produce just isn't as good as in CA or if chefs in CA are just better able to prepare it, but the food was just plain blah at Great Sage. We started with the Vietnamese Spring Rolls, which were pretty boring (just julienned vegetables wrapped in rice paper(?)) unless drenched in the accompanying sauce. We also had as an appetizer the California Rolls - again pretty bland and nothing to write home about. Of the three main courses we had, only one was any good - the pasta dish. The chili was very dry. My 'crab cake' was nothing special and the potatoes it came with were terrible (and it is pretty hard to screw up potatoes, in my humble opinion). Even the asparagus, which I think was grilled, had little flavor to it - I think they just grilled it naturally, but even putting just some organic olive oil and sea salt on it would have made it 10 times better. For dessert, we had the chocolate mousse that was so incredibly bitter that I had to take some of the soy cream from my father-in-law's berry dessert and icing from my mother-in-law's to cake to sweeten it up. The berry dessert was actually not too bad, although the cream was clearly not real cream, which in fairness, they didn't advertise it to be. I personally don't like carrot cake but tasted my mother-in-law's because it was gluten-free and found that it was actually not too bad. We had the green and red iced teas to drink- I wish they would have told us that the green tea was not regular green tea but some sort of fruity blend - had I known, I would have just stuck with water and been happier. All in all, a disappointing experience. I was truly hoping to show my mother-in-law that eating healthy doesn't have to taste bad, but unfortunately Great Sage did nothing to help me convince her of that. Tip to the owner/chef - if you really want to have phenomenal success with your business, study up on the whole local organic movement by Alice Waters of Chez Panisse in Berkeley, CA....
(2)John S.
Excellent vegetarian restaurant. I stay away from the meat substitute dishes, but really have enjoyed all the other dishes. I have been a few times and service is always very, very slow. Is it me or do vegetarian restaurants always seem to have slow service? They are related to Roots Organic Market, Nest Gift Shop and Bark (a natural pet store) all in the same shopping center. Quite a nice little organic oasis.
(4)Catherine C.
It is worth a short drive to eat here and get some good prepared food at Roots next door. I wouldn't name this one of my favorite restaurants, but I always go here when I am in town because of the following reasons: - the food is constistenly good, I agree that it sometimes can be bland - the menu is always changing - good wine menu for value & veg food - filling portions w/o feeling stuffed or like you consumed 5000 calories I would suggest going there for lunch or a non-fancy dinner. They do have a little patio that is nice when the weather is. They do not have a full liquor license.
(4)Cristy L.
What a treat! I ordered the Santa Fe Burger Platter and it came out looking like a starfish. Classy presentation. And delicious as well. I'm not really a fan of tempeh anything, but the tempeh bacon was my favorite part of the burger. I enjoyed my entree more than my dessert, which is odd. I had the Apple Tart with vanilla rice cream, but the cardamom threw it off. My friend had the Hot Fudge Lava Cake so I ended up smashing some of that onto my apple tart which was very helpful in silencing that loud cardamom. Our mullet-haired waitress was pretty excellent and cute (what?). She was very eager to elaborate on the dishes and provide suggestions, and was overall very attentive. I enjoyed the somewhat pricey food and relaxing atmosphere. I'm up for brunch next time I'm in town.
(4)Emmet T.
Our first visit to Great Sage was pretty great. Not a single appetizer or main course disappointed anyone of my family of four that dined there this eve. The chocolate (something) layer desert with vegan ice cream was exquisite. The Cabernet Sauvignon my wife had was moderately priced but very good beyond it's price range. My wife loved their Wellington, and our daughter raved about the bean quesadilla. The artichoke appetizer almost caused a brawl between us fighting for it once we tasted it. All in all everything was very good, but 5 stars should be reserved for something truly exceptional, and Great Sage was close. We'd like to come back for the outisde dining on a warm eve.
(4)M M.
Great Sage is generally a great vegetarian restaurant. Always several very tasty vegan choices. This is a place where vegetarian does not mean boring, bland, gooey, not-filling food. The menu is always interesting and adventurous. Beautiful presentation. Fresh, flavorful and fun dishes. The service is always friendly but sometimes very slow...a little inconsistent, especially at brunch. The brunch menu is kind of hit or miss. Some things sound better on the menu then they actually are, like the french toast. However, anything with veggie scramble is delicious. Try it even if you're not a vegetarian, it hits the spot! Also, we love Daiya cheese. It is the best vegan cheese ever. The quesadillas and italian dishes come out great with Daiya! This is a cozy little place with great food. Don't be afraid of it if you're a meat eater. You'll be surprised how much you like it!
(5)Jen S.
The food is great here. And the Carrot Cake is amazing! Have been here a few times. Always like the meal and love that there are so many great options as a vegetarian.
(4)Geena K.
Great Sage is an awesome restaurant. They use organic produce which is a bonus and a rarity in restaurants. The atmosphere is on the nicer side and the dishes are a bit on the higher side but fairly priced. They have lots of vegetarian and vegan items on the menu. There are also gluten free options for those that follow gluten-free diets. I think its very non-vegetarian friendly as well. Although they have vegan options for many of vegetarian dishes, I've been most happy when I've stuck with the vegan dishes rather than going for the vegan option of their vegetarian dishes. The portions are a good size and I've always gone home with some leftovers although I usually will indulge in an appetizer as well. If I feel like I want dessert, I'll order a piece of carrot cake to go home. The carrot cake is REALLY good and I highly recommend it. For those of us in the DC metro, this restaurant may be a bit off the beaten path but I do think its worth the visit. I don't mind driving an hour for good vegan food.
(4)Briana W.
get OUTTA here how good this is. oh my gosh, i would be here daily if i lived closer. wow
(5)Katie T.
I have trouble dragging my meat-eating friends to this vegetarian/vegan restaurant, but they enjoy the food once they get there. Dishes don't feel like they're missing anything. The entrees that incorporate meat substitutes like seitan don't struggle to taste exactly like meat, and are better for it (it's kind of creepy for me to eat something that resembles chicken anyway, even if I know it's not really meat.) The jerk seitan (and variations on that flavor combination, like the barbeque entree that was on the menu maybe a year ago) is my favorite--the combination of collard greens, tart and vinegary seitan, and tomato chutney is perfect. I've enjoyed the Americana meatloaf and the Indian vegetable cakes; I remember the Thai stir-fry as good but nothing special. Desserts are trickier. The hot fudge lava cake is good, but not guaranteed to be liquid on the inside (I've had it a few times). The fruit crisps seem to be composed of perhaps a little too much whole-grain. Service is good, prices are a little high, but if you're vegetarian, you can eat there time and time again without getting bored (or at least, I can).
(5)Geo N.
Amazingly delicious all vegan cuisine in a fun, friendly environment. Eaten breakfast takeaway and today eating lunch. Friendly service, overwhelming choices as a vegan and looking forward to coming for live music date night. Holy cowfree- the "chicken" pot pie is AMAZING- savory, saucy, warm deliciousness. I want more!! The bartenders- Rob & Colleen are super sweet and generous with ideas, too. Get extra cauliflower on the buffalo salad as you'll love it. Yummy!!!
(5)Aviva A.
Absolutely wonderful, upscale restaurant!
(5)Bryony B.
This place is great organic food. Plus, the best thing? How many organic restaurants are out there that you can actually afford?! This is one of the few I know of probably due to its location in Clarksville. But I think its definitely worth the trip...especially if you need to stop by Roots Market, Nest or Bark....I'm all about it! I was so excited to see they had organic cocktails...thats a first for me and I see myself as an expert in finding affordable organic cuisine. I've tried the pancakes and the chili and cornbread here. I thought it was all great. I also ended up getting a free glass of organic wine when I came here because my receipt from roots market had a coupon at the bottom of it....check it out if you shop at roots. The staff has always been really pleasant and I think the atomosphere is nice, although maybe a little small. I don't think it ever gets too crowded though. Added bonus...they have outdoor seating that i will try next time I go (it was cold outside when I went).
(5)Kelly M.
Favorite local restaurant. Awesome soups. I try and go 3-4 nights a month for dinner. Really excellent.
(5)F D.
This was my second trip to Great Sage. Tonight I had the "special", a stack of veggies. Unfortunately, it was bland and I didn't like it. My wife had the the Southwest burger. Although it looked great - it was also quite bland. I recommend sticking with the lite-fare - salads, soups & sandwiches.
(2)Bryan P.
we understand the philosophy here, and we're happy to support them, but if they would just lower the prices a smidge, we'd visit much more often. still, if you're looking for a "fancy" night out, this place will give you all the delicious vegan food you can handle. just prepare yourself for a hefty fill.
(4)Ryan G.
Indoor eating area is nice but a bit crowded; the outdoor seating is much better. Portions are small and somewhat expensive. Dessert is excellent.
(4)Sara A.
Probably my favourite place I've eaten since moving to Columbia. Everything I've ever had there has been delicious, the serving staff are always prompt and friendly, food is fresh and cocktails on offer are always seasonal and always amazing!
(5)kathy d.
I love this place. I've been twice and will continue to go. I've had the hummus, soup, caesar salad and apple brown betty. My husband loves this place too. The decor is nice and comfortable. It's right next door to a nice market so you can shop while you wait for a table.
(5)Louise N.
I have ventured form DC a few times now to eat here. I think if you have the right expectations, your experience will be OK. The first thing to note, this is not a Candle Cafe, Counter, Candle 79, Blossom, or other NYC restaurant etc.. Not even close, not in the same league. If you can get those comparisons out of your head you'll have a better chance of enjoying it. The food is OK. They start out by serving regular baguette bread. While fine, it's boring and unimaginative. They should serve something more memorable like fresh focaccia. I recently got their "chicken" parm special and like a few others have mentioned, the food is kind of like what you'd make at home. I got a pre-made/packaged faux chicken breast sprinkled with vegan cheese on a bed of bow tie pasta with a red sauce and a very small amount of cut up squash mixed in. The same chix patties are for sale at the Roots market next door. It tasted fine and I like getting out. Just nothing to write home about. My husband got the tamale but to be honest, the flavors weren't great and Amy's frozen vegan tamale is better. Sangria was strong but I enjoyed it. Dessert was so-so. We first got the vegan mocha cake thing. It was hard and dry and I honestly could not believe it was served, even more so at $9.00. We returned it and tried to order the carrot cake which they were out of. Then the sever mentioned the lava cake which was not on the menu but we had eaten it before. The lava cake is really rich, fresh and yummy and it saved the day. Service has been fine. No problems there. We'll go back next time we get a Zipcar or borrow a car from someone. No non-ethnic mostly vegan food place in DC exists that we like. Vegetate is not very good unfortunately.
(3)kara h.
Fantastic. Gluten free and Vegan. Desserts are GF/Vegan, beers are GF. Wonderful fresh food.
(5)Francesco D.
What I want to stress the most to anyone who is thinking of going to Great Sage is that the Manager, Dondra, is AWESOME! Not only is she beautiful, with fantastic curly hair, but she really knows how to make people feel good. I have never experienced the sincere concern for my happiness from anyone in the restaurant business. Thank You Dondra, I wish you all the peace and joy life can offer.
(5)Eric P.
Excellent vegetarian restaurant, easily worth the drive from Baltimore. While infected with a bit of DC-pretentiousness, its not overbearing. The food is great, but not overly fancy, and the staff is friendly.
(4)Nicole M.
My very favorite restaurant in the whole world. Beautiful atmosphere, attentive service, and delicious, fresh, consistently great food. A tad pricey, but worth it.
(5)justin p.
This place is really good, if kind of out of the way. They are friendly and always have creative entrees. And, I absolutely love their tea - with kind of a vanilla taste, I think. Desserts are good too. Can't wait to go back!
(5)Christina S.
I am most definitely a carnivore, loving me some meat, but I am definitely a lover of veggies, and having friends who eat Vegan, I was excited to try what Great Sage had to offer. First off, I noticed that the staff, from our hostess to our server, were super friendly and helpful with offering suggestions for what to order. We decided to start off with the Artichoke Spinach Crostini and I helped myself to a cup of the soup du jour, a yummy lentil soup. Everything tasted so fresh, especially the artichokes! For my meal, I decided on the Mediterranean Plate (actually listed as a starter on the menu). It was fantastic! The dolmas, artichoke hearts, kalamata olive tapenade, hummus, marinated red onion, toasted nan bread and sheep's milk feta were delish! It was definitely very filling. We saved some room for dessert though. I decided to try the "Taste" which is described on the menu as a "petite seasonal custard". That night, the selection was an orange chocolate mousse topped with chocolate ganache...so good! I also stole bites of the Apple Tart a la mode (a little heavy on the cardamom for my taste) and the Hot Fudge Lava Cake A la Mode (which was very good). Overall, my experience at Great Sage was great!
(4)dave h.
I am not a vegan or a militant vegetarian, although i do respect those that are, but this place is organic and vegetarian and most of the menu can be or is vegan. I am definitely a carnivore, but this place did satisfy me and was extremely tasty. I believe everything is homemade from scratch. They have really good southwest bean burgers, and schezuan (spel?) tofu and noodles. I have had their vegan ruben, which is made with tempe instead of corned beef and their vegan club sandwich is surprisingly tasty. My wife loves their salads, fresh greens and colorfully fresh and organic vegetables. They also have a kids menu which has some of the best organic mac and cheese, I have every tasted. My two nieces who are McDonald's kids (yuck!), loved their food and asked to go back next time they are at my house. Since I an alcohol fan, most of their beers and wines are organic. They carry Samuel Smith Organic, Wolvers Organic, and some Dog Fish flavors. They do run a happy hour, but i am not sure what is on it. They also have martini specials and other liquor and wine. I highly recommend this place to all meat eaters that are looking to try a little vegetarian in their lives. I have nothing bad to say about this place.
(5)Graham C.
This new manager Scott is on the ball and amazing. Loving the new menu items as well. Keep up the good work Great Sage.
(5)Mary D.
I was pleasantly surprised to see a warm, cozy bar/restaurant when I walked in to order the veggie chili for carry-out lunch. The chili was awesome and the cornbread complimented it perfectly. I'll be back for dinner soon and to try the wine and music!
(4)Kristy L.
Although I used to occassionally eat here, my rating is based on my last visit to Great Sage - my last. My husband and I visited on a weekend afternoon a few months ago and ate some delicious food, as per usual. I can't even recall what we ate. What I can recall is that there were very few customers and the waiters still seemed slow and preoccupied. Not that big of a deal but it seemed like we couldn't even pay our bill to get my very pregnant self out of there. When my husband and I decided that it was time to go, we decided to leave a cash tip on the table and pay the bill by credit card at the bar by the front door. After signing the credit card slip and walking outside, the manager / waiter that had run my credit card came running out after us. When he caught up with us in the middle of the parking lot, he said, "Hey, why didn't you leave a tip???" I said, "We did. It's on the table...in cash." He said, "Oh, okay...just making sure." And he walked off. No, he didn't want to ensure that service had been satisfactory. And, no, he didn't apologize. Gratuity is an earned sum, not a mandatory fee. Yet somehow it became an issue worth chasing us down over, which would be very understandable if he had wanted to ask us if we were happy with our experience.
(1)Gening L.
This place is great! The food is tasty, the menu is extremely creative, and it's an actual cute sit down restaurant as opposed to the take out vegetarian cafes that you find around the DC area. My table shared three dishes.. the black bean veggie burger, some seitan dish, and Indian potato cakes. Each dish came with several tasty sides. My favorites were probably both of the collard green sides (same vegetable but with different sauces), and a mashed sweet potato with coconut. The ingredients were fresh and flavors were great. The menu also tells you which items can be made vegan, so that's helpful when you have a mixed veggie group. I didn't get a chance to try the desserts, but the chocolate lava cake looked delicious.
(4)xyzzy x.
I've eaten here numerous times and find the food can be "hit or miss." The kitchen is very inconsistent. However, the one consistency is the cost: it's consistently high, especially for what you get. Shaving $2-$3 dollars off the entrees would make them a lot more palatable.
(3)Estelle S.
The food was very good. Sitting outside was a wonderful experience it's very nice and quiet. The waitress was very nice and friendly.
(5)Ray W.
With 233 reviews and counting, what can I add to the conversation? Some quick observations: * Vegan yes. Family, hell yes. Bring the kids. * Service is always excellent. I have never had less than a delightful experience. * Seasonal menus are just that--seasonal. Sometimes they are awesome--as in I like every item. Other times, not so much--as in Autumn 2014's pumpkin-fest. (Not a fan). * Coffee in the mornings is a nice addition, as the coffee is excellent. * I seldom drink, but when I do I enjoy their clever cocktails. Worth experimenting. * Not sure that I am a fan of the new reservation policy. We shall see how that plays out...
(4)Jayne M.
Like one of the other reviewers, I have had a truly excellent portabello mushroom sandwich on flatbread here at lunchtime, I'd like to see it served outside of regular lunch or dinner hours here when they are on their limited menu, and possibly some fancied up version for dinner too. I'm sure it would be a winner. I've had several meals here, probably about ten over the last year, and everyone who I've been here with who has had this sandwich has also raved about it, along with the accompanying potatoes. I've also enjoyed the regular men u item of the Indian cakes on several occasions, as well as lots of different kinds of soup, almost all souper :) Likewise the smoothies and also, they do a really excellent latte. The food here is some of the best Vegetarian cuisine I've ever had. The portions are on the small size, and sometimes if you order something bland sounding like ziti with cheese, well, bland is what you get. The food here can be expensive (but for high quality organic ingredients, I am willing to pay). Service can be slow but is always friendly. For a special and healthy meal this place is really great. I find something a bit odd about the tables/general atmosphere. Although tables seem well spaced and placed, I often find myself hearing or seeing more than I'd like to from neighboring tables. Maybe it's because the food takes a while to come out, so your attention wanders over. Anyway, I've rarely been disappointed with the food here.
(4)Mary R.
When ever I am in the area I make a point to go to Great Sage, mostly because I use to work there and actually enjoy the food. Some dishes are always spot on, while others are lacking flavor and moisture. My favorite staples are: the Americana, tasty enough for even the most militant of carnivores, the Southwest Burger (I some times have dreams about this burger) with chipotle aioli, which makes a good dipping sauces for corn chips, and my last staple-the Thai stir fry.Luckily the menu changes subtly every few months and the desserts are really fabulous. Brunch is also fun here. The vegan quiche is tasty as are the cinnamon buns.The selection of wine, beer and cocktails is progressively improving in selection, they just need to be more creative at times, then again I am spoiled living in Seattle where the only thing we take more seriously then our coffee are our cocktails. Still they are improving. The service is very hit or miss depending on who is serving you; they are a few seasoned servers who are awesome (Kevin and Vanessa).
(3)Dan H.
As an omnivore, I have been impressed everytime I have eaten here. I haven't taken many pictures, but I will start to. Everything from the pasta to the salad and sandwiches, the appetizers the drinks, the soups... amazing. Please come check this place out, I can tell you as a chef, it takes so much talent to do what they do using only vegan ingredients. Creative, delicious, inspired!
(5)J M.
Incredible gourmet food at this vegetarian restaurant. All or most all of the food can be made vegan without want. Take it from this vegan connoisseur after two visits. Caesar salad was good. Garlic croutons had no taste of garlic and were not crisp and crunchy. Dressing was thick and interesting. Arugula pesto was complex with a lemony taste that worked. Corn bread was too gritty and dense for my taste. Cashew spinach was creamy with an Indian flavor. Spinach would be better if processed. Shake was way too thin to be good; very watery. Bloody mary was too powerful. Next time I'll try the virgin version. The sundae was comforting and satisfying. Don't be distracted by the cashew butter ingredient and try their homemade chocolate sauce. Sunday brunch had wonderful choices. Unfortunately you can not choose your flavor of pancake, which is always flavored, and never plain. Order the cinnamon rolls even if you are not a fan. Cinnamon rolls were absolutely out of this world. The best you will have anywhere. They are served warm, but I recommend you bring them home, and eat them out of the fridge. I got a side of sausage and biscuits and made my own sandwiches; a delight. Check out the menus at their online site. Service was slow, somewhat friendly, and generally professional. Management was inappropriate in this area but properly concerned. Pleasingly fit decor.
(4)Amanda K.
My friend and I drove up here from VA because it was her favorite restaurant and she wanted me to try. We had a small wait before being seated but that wasn't a big deal since we weren't in rush. Do realize that this place is on the smaller side and gets packed quickly. I ordered the Grilled Vegetable Wrap: Grilled zucchini, eggplant and red peppers in a spinach tortilla with rosemary-lemon white bean hummus, mixed greens and smoky olive aioli. Served with harvest-roasted sweet potato salad. (Gluten- and soy-free options available.) I didn't read the description close enough because I am not a fan of olives and this wrap had a strong olive taste. Hence the olive aioli. This was my mistake. I did substitute the sweet potato salad for the swiss chard. The way the swiss chard was cooked wasn't very appeasing to me either. Now my friend insisted we order the hot lava cake for dessert. Now this cake is what dreams are made of. The cake is described as: Warm chocolate cake with a molten chocolate truffle center and topped with vanilla ice 'cream' and hot fudge (nut free). The vanilla ice cream was coconut ice cream so automatically it is good in my book. But the way the cake stayed warm while the ice cream melted was a great mouth mixture. I honestly expecting more from this place and not sure if it was because I ordered the wrong thing or not. I know that if I come here again I will order the hot lava cake.
(2)Josh G.
Great Sage has a changing vegan menu with several consistently appearing items and a few that change. I've been on several occasions and have generally enjoyed my meals, but I've found that some of the most simple vegan choices tend to be more my liking. For example, I really enjoyed the bean/beet burger recently when that was offered, but found the risotto nothing remotely inspired and not unlike those available at Trader Joe's. The buffalo cauliflower appetizer is great, as are some of the other appetizer choices. Overall, it can be hit or miss here, but the service is good and the restaurant has a nice enough atmosphere. I haven't tried dessert here yet, but the servers always urge me too. Maybe next time.
(4)Joe M.
A few weeks ago, I somehow agreed to join my wife and a few friends on a diet program that progressively transitioned to a vegan diet. I am almost exclusively a carnivore, and most of my help reviews revolve around warm, savory meat exploding in my mouth so I am not exactly sure how this happened, but strangely it did. Our same friends recommended Great Sage, after coming here several times and gave it the utmost praise. I cannot compliment this establishment enough. From the customer service that went out of their way to accommodate our son's wheelchair, to the patient and helpful suggestions of our server Rachel, to the delicious cuisine our experience was first rate. One thing I really enjoyed about Great Sage was that they were not a vegan place trying to replicate meat tastes and textures, but rather they re-imagined popular dishes to provide an alternative that was just as tasty and satisfying as any other restaurant to a meat loving fatty like me. I truly enjoyed my black bean and beet burger (and I never would have imagined I would admit something like that), my daughter enjoyed her pizza and we all indulged in Chocolate Lava Cake. My wife and other son ate their meals so fast I did not get a chance to take pictures and forgot what they had, but suffice to say they loved it. My wife actually loved it so much she went back the very next day with some friends! I have heard rave reviews about their crabcakes and other offerings, so we will definitely be back soon.
(5)Tom M.
Great Sage is one of my very favorite restaurants. Don't go for brunch. Still to regular lunch and dinner but skip Sunday brunch. Great Sage is an elite restaurant but like most restaurants, its Sunday brunch menu is limited and not as good as their usual menu. My wife and I had the crab cakes. If you order any time besides Sunday brunch it comes as a single large crab cake with a great remoulade sauce. The brunch version was two very small crab cakes served with grits. I found the grits fine (though not served at a hot enough temperature) but my wife and her friend both disliked them. We also had the poutine which I really enjoyed but my wife was not too thrilled about. The meal somewhat redeemed itself when we ordered dessert, their classic chocolate lava cake which was awesome as usual. Great Sage is one of the best restaurants I have been to. I recommend avoiding Sunday brunch because so much of what makes it great is not available.
(5)Kenneth D.
Had the pleasure of dinning here while I was doing my 'annual' vegan thing over the Lent season. This food here is awesome! If I could find a vegan restaurant like this everywhere, I truly believe that I would be vegan! We arrived for light lunch (what a great concept) prices were great, the staff was super too. I wasn't sure if my 88 year old mom would eat here and she loved everything she tried. The carrot cake is worth the drive from DC alone. I am not a vegan but I would happily eat here everyday. Keep up the great work! Looking forward to my next experience here, before the next Lent season.
(5)Jessica N.
Well. I was very in love with Great Sage and I still really like the food. But today's downgrade is because of service issues. My daughter and I went to Great Sage this afternoon. The restaurant wasn't horribly busy. Most of the tables were seated outside as it is a beautiful day. Inside there was one lady who was eating at a table and a lot of staff at the front. We were allowed to choose our seats so my daughter chose her favorite seat and we waited. About five minutes after we were seated, another table came in and were seated too. This table had a child with them as well. About fifteen minutes passed by and I noticed that there wasn't even a server that came to our table. I looked over at the table seated after us and to my shock, they had water, coffee and had ordered their food. My six year old daughter looked at me and asked if we weren't being served because we were black and the other table was white. So I decided to leave. I'm not accusing the restaurant of being racist. But I am stating that there is a bias issue. I told the manager I was leaving and she apologized and explained that there was an issue that they were dealing with. That explanation would've been fine if ALL of the tables were waiting for food. But when you when you can serve one table and you choose the ones who came in after another table, there is a bias issue. As a vegan with very little options in Maryland, I will have to cross this off my list. And I used to come in many times. It is to the point where my daughter hugs the servers. Oh well.
(1)Caitlin S.
Went here for my birthday dinner last Saturday and had an excellent time! Our server was very friendly and the food was great. We tried the raw kelp noodles and cornbread to start, and each chose a different entree. My roasted vegetables with romesco sauce was absolutely delicious!! And of course we had to get a piece of carrot cake to share for dessert. I love that this place is completely vegan but the food is still packed with flavor and creativity! It's a little pricey, but totally worth it.
(5)Josh W.
I'm not a vegan, but for having a meal with someone with dietary restrictions, Great Sage is a spectacular choice. I'm not grading them on a steakhouse curve, because I do like meat, but they'd probably be a solid 4 star place for that anyways. There are plenty of selections on the menu that'll help you forget that you're dining in an unusual way, whatsoever. I had the buffalo bites as an appetizer, some delicious black Thai noodles for my main course, and got to share some good "Adult Mac and Cheese" and an apple spice cake, and had a bite of an Indian dish that was a daily special and measured up well with an Indian restaurant (which themselves have plenty of vegan options). The decor is really fun and inviting. If you're hesitant, I highly encourage you to tamp down your doubt and give this place a shot. As a bonus, after your meal, you can pick up some awesome vegan cookies and craft ginger beer at Roots Supermarket about 20 yards away, for non-restaurant prices.
(5)Lindsay V.
Best vegan food ever! It's definitely worth the trip. All of the food is fantastic. The brunch is excellent - they have the best cinnamon roll with cashew cream. For dinner, their mac and cheese is excellent. They also make delicious seitan dishes. It is a bit pricey, but if you go on Thursday night, they have half price bottles of wine and live music.
(5)Michael G.
In the middle of nowhere in Maryland lies what might as well be a vegan commune (but with money). Anchoring a mall filled with organic pet food and a hipster grocery store is this fancy vegan restaurant. My lady and I made our way out here for her birthday brunch. Since it was cold outside, I was really craving some veggie soup. Especially chili. I was in luck since that day they were serving it as one of their rotating brunch options. What I got was a plate of steamed vegetables, some beans, and some quinoa. It was spiced well enough to break through the cold but being able to eat my chili with a fork was not what I was looking for. Especially at almost as much as an entree and in a very small bowl. The corn bread on top, however, was delicious. And the plates of other food going by looked very tasty, with much larger portions. Which just made my situation worse. I would probably make a return trip though. The mood here is definitely that of a meat eating brunch place without the meat and that's a rarity it the vegetarian scene. There's no "we're overly Earthy" vibe and if one didn't know better, they wouldn't even know walking in that it was a vegan eatery. And the birthday girl liked her food which was the most important thing so I can't hate this place for making her birthday lunch memorable.
(3)Rob A.
I used to live in manhattan where Starbucks is in every corner. I have been hugely frustrated with such badly made coffee at Starbucks (it is always cold, too much milk/too little coffee, paper cups...so on). Shame on Starbucks! Well, welcome to Greatsage, my new discovery! I was pleasantly surprised to have a great cup of coffee at this place. It was nice HOT and had perfect ratio of coffee and milk. And, it was served in a beautiful non-paper mug!!! Even though it is a restaurant, this place was very accommodating of only ordering coffee and dessert.
(5)Freddy M.
Food was great. Was delivered in a timely manner. I went during lunch time and it was fairly full. Waiter was nice. Food could have a tad bit more flavor. But not bad. Loved to have had the chance to eat out side but I was right next to a window so it's all good.
(4)Sensei M.
We are regulars at Great Sage mainly because it's the only vegan option in Columbia, MD. The quality of dishes covers the spectrum. We have had great items ( Thai coconut curry and artichoke nicoise), so-so items (papas bravas and vindaloo), and ones we wished we had never ordered (fried pickles and pumpkin burger). They have recently added a few raw vegan items. I'm looking forward to trying them. I wish they would be braver with the seasoning. The papas bravas that we had this evening would have been fantastic if the tomato sauce had had a kick. Open up a bottle of Sriracha and add some flavor, please!!!! Use some fresh ground black pepper. Something, anything! I don't think it's fair to ask customers to spend $90 on a meal and serve them senior citizen spice levels. My son specifically asked that his vindaloo be extra spicy. Guess what? Not spicy at all. I had the artichoke nicoise this evening and it was the best thing I've had there. The artichoke cake (think vegan crab cake consistency) and olives were so delicious. The grilled tomato was plump and bursting with flavor. The potatoes were crisp and the mushrooms had an excellent flavor. The service was a little bumpy but we understand that sometimes things happen. The staff was friendly and accommodating. The outdoor seating is lovely in the spring and early summer.
(4)elsa k.
Human hairs are probably not considered vegan!!!The last two visits here we have discovered long human hairs inside our meals :( The first time we mentioned it to the mgr they apologized and assured us they just ordered hair nets. Two weeks later tho, we made the same unfortunate discovery! It's a shame since we frequent this restaurant a Iot with our vegetarian family members. We used to rather enjoy this place as the food is generally fresh and pretty tasty but I'm a little hesitant to return now. **Update** and response to restaurant comments--- My sister dined here again, this time without us- and for a THIRD meal in a row here found another human hair within their food. Appalling! And in regards to their recommendation that we notify the manager- as noted in the post we did just that the first time. The second time we did not as the mgr seemed annoyed with us the first time tho he offered free dessert. What a disappointment and embarrassment to the establishment :(
(1)Nikki W.
I'm not a vegan nor a vegetarian but we checked out this place and really enjoyed our food. I had the mushroom risotto...Very creamy and comforting on a cold night. My friend had the Thai curry noodles...so flavorful and SPICY! My fiance had the tacos pastor and loved it. We somehow found room for dessert and had the lava cake and this sugar cookie-type cake...so good! Oh and they have a nice drink selection!
(4)Nina U.
If you love vegetarian food, you're probably used to searching far and wide to find delicious fresh food that's better than what you can make at home. I would drive to Clarksville all the time if I ate out every day. It's not even that far from everything, just take 32 West and you'll pretty much drive right into Clarksville and this shopping center. The ambiance is fabulous and they put a lot of thought into the place. It's clean and relaxing and it's hard to choose what to eat off the menu. I suggest going with a group so you can taste each others meals (if your friends are cool like that). The raw juices are a little expensive ($6 for a small glass) but they are delicious and I rarely find raw juice when I'm eating out. The Super Green Live Juice is the best. I also ordered a salad with a puff pastry on it- amazing!
(5)Apple C.
I didn't even know that I liked vegan food until I started eating at Great Sage. I definitely don't miss the meat and even though I love cheese and would normally miss the lack of cheese on, for example, a pasta dish, the flavors and combinations offered on this menu always pop! Out of all of the times we have eaten here, there is only one dish that I would not order again (a squid ink pasta dish that isn't currently on the menu). It wasn't bad, just not my cup of tea. If you are looking for a unique and delicious experience, you should eat here.
(5)Natasha S.
I had always wanted to try this place but never got around to it. Primarily because for a long time, we lived a whiles away and just recently we moved within 20 miles of this wonderful restaurant. One rainy night, I was able to convince my carnivore lover to dinner here with me on a Thursday night. Because it was a Thursday, I didn't expect that the restaurant would be busy. I was so wrong. Apparently, Thursday is half off bottles of wine and live music. Either way, we scored. We didn't have reservations and had to wait for a table, but it didn't take more than 10 minutes to be seated. I will admit, I was STARVING so this specific night, a 10 minute wait felt like an hour. We were seated at a tiny table between two very large tables. Our dining neighbors were so loud that we had to talk over them to have a conversation. And as a result, they looked over and glared multiple times. It really was a no win situation. This isn't a small restaurant but they could work on spacing the tables out more, or expanding if it would help with business. Because it was very uncomfortable for us to enjoy our meal, have a conversation, hear the server, hear the live music clearly AND even be able to utilize our table space. So for that I had to give them one less star. The service was good overall, but the server took forever to take our order. And it seemed like she was running around from table to table, so she forgot to bring us drinks. But she had a good attitude and was very friendly! Now on to the BEST part! The food! Their menu is seasonal, so when it comes to entree's they have a limited selection. Everything I wanted to try on their Yelp review photos were not available. They have an excellent coffee and milkshake menu. I love that they offer coconut milk and almond milk, over the standard soy option. For our appetizer, we ordered the spinach artichoke dip. It was delish! It came with delicious toasted multi-grain crusty bread. The spinach artichoke was fresh and good, and very lemon-y. My entree was the Thai coconut curry and it was DA SHIT. It had baby bok choy, purple cabbage, broccoli and zucchini roasted and was tossed in a red curry coconut cashew cream served with brown Basmati and topped with an herb and micro green salad. It's the perfect amount of spice, heat and flavors. I had to eat it as slow as possible so I could savor the delicious flavors. In the end, the portion was so generous, I ended up taking it home for lunch the next day and again..... AMAZING! Even the next day! MMMMM! My fiance had the the mushroom Stroganoff which she thought was really good. Generous amount of mushrooms and the potato gnocchi tasted very really fresh. The only thing I didn't like about it was how salty it was. If they could make it less salty, it'd be on point. But I loved the different mushrooms they used. For dessert, we had a pumpkin pie smoothie made with coconut ice cream. It was good, but definitely something I could make at home. I probably wouldn't do this one again. Everything on their menu looked fantastic. I couldn't decide what I wanted, but next time I intend on trying their buffalo cauliflower salad and the adult mac and cheese! They also have a great selection on wine! Prices are a little high. The quality of the food and the fact that everything is organic and fresh makes it all well worth it! But if you are like me, and want to try a little of everything along with a glass or two of wine, your bill will definitely add up! So definitely not a weekly place for me, but if we wanna celebrate something and splurge, I am so here! Overall, they have a good concept for atmosphere. The live music was a good touch, but they needed a sound check, the musician's guitar was so loud we couldn't hear his voice the entire time. Definitely one of the best vegan places in the area.
(4)Mike F.
We ate here this past Friday for my wife's 40th birthday and again Sunday morning for brunch. There isn't a ton of vegan dining in our area so when we have the chance we take advantage even if it means eating at the same place twice. For starters, Scott the Manager is as genuinely nice of a guy as I have ever met working in a restaurant and the staff does a great job. They come around regularly but at no point did I feel rushed and I personally appreciated the attention. I'm not a food critic so I try to keep my descriptions pretty simple. Friday we started with the Spinach Artichoke Dip which was amazing and worth the trip alone and the Buffalo Cauliflower Bites which were very good but could have used a bit more Buffalo flavor or maybe a Sriracha. Something about the breading doesn't allow for it to soak in the flavor. My wife had the Hearts of Palm Crab Cake which she claimed tasted exactly like the real thing. I've never eaten a crab cake so I wouldn't know but I finished hers and it was really really good. I had the Adult Mac and Cheese which was excellent but very heavy and rich. Honestly, I think I was too full from all the other stuff to truly enjoy it. As for Sunday's brunch this will be on our must do list next time we are in town. My wife had the Breakfast Sandwich which was your traditional breakfast sandwich only vegan and she loved it. When I ordered the Enchilada Burrito Scott said it was going to blow my face off and he wasn't lying. This was the best burrito (breakfast or otherwise) I have ever had. I judge vegan food by how likely could I fool a non-vegan with the food and this place knocks it out of the park. On a side note...next store is a cool boutique Nest which had some nice stuff and the guy working couldn't have been nicer. And on the other side was a grocery store Roots which was a vegans dream come true.
(5)Rachael F.
A friend of mine suggested this place for dinner one Thursday night and I am highly glad I agreed. Let me start by saying I am in no way a vegan or vegetarian so I was a bit skeptic I wouldn't enjoy some of the meal options. However I was very very wrong. I went with the tomato soup and a side of cornbread per other reviewers suggestions. Both were very flavorful and I would order each again in a heartbeat! Thursdays night is also live music and 1/2 price bottle of wines so that made for a great perk and cozy ambiance. I also finished off with the Chocolate Cheesecake with a walnut? Brittle on top. It. Was. Amazing! I would suggest giving this place a try if you are in the are or looking for a vegan/vegetarian meal options.
(4)Natasha M.
I come here often and am always nothing less than thrilled to enjoy a meal here. This evening I enjoyed the Autumn Chili. It's the perfect portion and isn't spicy in terms of heat but well spiced otherwise. It comes with the chili, quinoa and corn bread. My mother had the Roasted Fennel Salad and thoroughly enjoyed it as well. She described it as crunchy, aromatic and well balanced. There's a nice citrus in the dressing. We both enjoyed coffee here which is also worth bragging about. For dessert we had the pumpkin pie crisp. Also amazing. Would highly recommend. Also last but not least, the service is never less than spot on.
(5)Erin M.
We live in the Philadelphia area but we travel to DC a few times a year, and a trip to Great Sage has become part of our DC trip tradition. However, the past two times we've traveled to Clarksville alone, just to visit Great Sage and the other shops in this strip mall because it has become a destination in itself. On our most recent trip here, we started off our meal with the picked vegetable hand rolls. We inhaled the two large nori rolls filled with pickled beets, carrots and cabbage and ate every last drop of the peanut dipping sauce that came with the appetizer. On another trip, we started our meal with a raw falafel appetizer that was out of this world delicous. If they put it back on the menu, I'll definitely order that again. Next up, we split two of the entrees. I absolutely adored the pumpkin gnocchi which was filled with a melange of other vegetables and served in a to-die-for delicious sauce. I find some pumpkin dishes to be overpoweringly pumpkin-y but this was not the case; this dish had a wonderfully savory flavor. The other entree is a Great Sage favorite: the hearts of palm-based crab cakes. These were delicious and served with just the right amount of vegan remoulade. I literally licked the plate when I was finished. The crunchy quinoa pilaf it was served with was stunning as well. Do I sound like I'm a bit hyperbolic here? Well, the truth is, we drive 2-plus hours to eat single meal at Great Sage because it is just that good. The desserts here are pretty good too, but I usually don't have room to try them! Note, they do not take reservations for parties under five, so if you plan to come for Saturday dinner, try to arrive by 5pm or get ready to wait.
(5)Kimberly K.
My brother has been a strict vegetarian since he was 16, and for his 50th birthday we thought we'd take him to a restaurant where for once he could get anything off of the menu. We were a large group (12) and made reservations a couple days in advance on a busy (Valentine's Day) weekend, and they were able to accommodate us. With the exception of my brother, everyone else very much eats meat, and we were pretty skeptical of this place. We had a few "meat and potatoes" men, including one who eyed up the Wendy's nearby as a backup. We also had some picky teenage boys in our group, as well as a toddler. Everyone was impressed! We arrived at about 4pm, but as large groups go, we weren't really settling in to order until 4:30, and ended up putting in dinner orders instead of lite fare, since the kitchen would start serving dinner at 5. In the meantime, we enjoyed buffalo bites (made with cauliflower) and spinach & artichoke dip. They were both exceptional! For dinner, I had mushroom risotto, which was to die for. Most of our carnivore men ordered Thai Curry Noodles and all were pleased. I didn't try the pot pie or the adult mac & cheese, but others at our table did and they all really enjoyed it. Desserts were delicious also. I had the funfetti cookie, and it was delicious! I was so stuffed by the end of the meal. My toddler devoured his mac & cheese. I have to admit, I was worried since he can be a little picky, but he didn't seem to notice the lack of real cheese. They had high chairs available and a changing table in the restroom, so kids are welcome. The kids menu had a lot of options. I'd give this one a try again, and I'd even say I would go back without a vegetarian companion. It was really delicious!
(4)JD G.
Seriously...WOW! First off, I'm a shameless flesh eater...I LOVE my meat, but my partner is not...he's vegan so I like to spoil him sometimes and take him to restaurants where he can order anything he wants without having to worry if there are any meat by products in the ingredients or dairy or eggs, etc. Most vegan/vegetarian restaurants are pretty good, but honestly they leave a lot to be desired. Great Sage, on the other hand, is perfect as is. There isn't one thing I'd change about it...you know, other than serving meat or something :-P Anyways, we started out with the Spinach/Artichoke dip and it was so flavorful and there was a lot of it so we had to stop ourselves before we got stuffed on it. I ordered the Hearts of Palm Crab Cake and was beyond blown away by how good it was. I read another review that said he had to take a second to recover after that first bite and he was so right. The portions were perfect as well...It wasn't huge by any means but it was big enough to settle my appetite, which is pretty big! We also splurged and got the chocolate lava cake with coconut ice 'cream' and, again, was blown away. It was so rich and the coconut flavored ice cream really added to the flavor of the whole dish. Overall, this is definitely one of my favorite restaurants and I'll be coming here every time I'm in the Baltimore area from now on!
(5)Amy H.
As a gluten free vegan I find it more than Challenging to have a nice meal out! I'm so grateful for The Great Sage's commitment to healthy choices and a lovely restaurant. My favorites.. Chili and brown rice Reuben I love their soups! They'll bring a sample of each to help you decide! Yum. Yum Yum Yum
(5)Caroline P.
Simply delicious! I think it's quite hard to make an entire vegan menu so I admire those folks. I've been there a few times and staff was always friendly and polite. I looooveee their artichoke dip.
(5)Christopher W.
Great sage is an excellent place to eat. Like all restaurants there are things that I do like and those that I do not. My wife and I really enjoy the Hearts of Palm crab cakes. It is so flavorful and when it hits the mouth I normally need a second to recover. The pumpkin empanada is also a must try. Overall I would say that this place is definitely worth a try if you are looking for vegan food. The food has many textures and it is always interesting because the restaurant changes out the menu depending on the season. Waitstaff is also great, we have never had an issue with the weight staff. One tip to the business is to increase the appetizer size, as it appears to be slightly overpriced. Dessert was perfect though.
(4)Andrew R.
Very very good. The server recommended the chili burger, which was excellent. I did not care for the flavor of the roasted potatoes. My friend had the buffalo dish, which was that evening special and it was very good. That being said, the crowd and vibe here is a bit uppity and smug as these people are sort of high end vegans. Not my scene. If I came back I would get takeout.
(4)Anthony C.
The food here is amazing! Even if I wasn't vegan I would be here all the time. Incredible food at great prices. Take all my friends here.
(5)Eunice K.
in the same shopping center as roots. parking is not hard to find. lots of interesting dishes. flight and bite flight and bite is super small. total amount of bites is like 3-5 bites and you'll be done. so small i ordered salad. thai "chicken" salad chicken salad was okay. came with noodles on top but i didn't like the noodles. it was a little overcooked in my opinion. my friends liked it. i would rather have more greens. the greens were fresh and i really liked the dressing. my friend ordered the thai curry she enjoyed it a lot. i thought it was different and cool. pretty good. my other friend ordered the adult mac and cheese. she liked it. it was hot and i thought the cheese def tasted nutty but it was interesting. choco lava cake super chocolatey. it was good but then it got super sweet carrot cake GET IT! GET IT!!!! i'm not a huge fan of carrot cake but OH MY! this was delicious! it was cold and tasted dense but also light and fresh! i really liked the icing on top as well. almond cookie skillet? it was okay. very crumbly. i liked it a lot at first cus it's warm but later got tired and sick of the taste.
(4)Ashley H.
I was visiting Columbia MD and discovered this restaurant when I searched vegan in yelp. This place was really friendly and they have a grocery store next door. I ordered the chopped salad (the half) and it was a very big portion. I loved the salad without the chicken. I wasn't very fond of the cold chicken, the offered me some hot spicy chicken but I didn't like that either. However the salad was good on it's own. I also ordered the buffalo cauliflower my daughter got the Mac and cheese and her father ordered the lintel burger. Everyone was satisfied and we even got the mint shake at the end that was super good! Everything was vegan and I strongly suggest eating here when in town.
(3)Scott H.
You don't have to be vegetarian or vegan to enjoy the wonderful seasonal menus at Great Sage, but it certainly doesn't hurt. The Buffalo Cauliflower is to die for and the 'Crabbie Pretzel' is another highly recommended appetizer. The Mac and 'Cheese' is a long-time favorite of patrons for good reason, and the Pistachio Encrusted Tempeh is quite delicious as well. Save room for dessert, as the variety of fresh baked goods, smoothies, and other sweets will satisfy the sweetest of sweet toothes. The service and hospitality are top-notch as well, and Great Sage is the perfect spot for a date, family gathering, business luncheon, or simply the really hungry.
(5)Sarah A.
Always love the Thai Coconut Curry and the carrot cake never disappoints. Service is always great, I have no complaints. The handsome server with the radio voice was knowledgeable and didn't mind my questions. Made it an overall awesome experience. Will definitely come again.
(5)Val T.
Disclaimer I haven't been able to eat quesadillas since I was a little kid (stupid allergies) so this review may be a little biased.... They had the most amazing quesadillas! They also have vegan Mac and cheese. Not sure how it compares to the real thing but I was impressed. It was really nice to be able to order off of the regular menu without having to ask the poor waiter/waitress a million questions and without the worry that I'd end up eating something I was allergic to.
(4)Melissa B.
I really want to love this place. The staff is warm and friendly, and the adorably dressed manager even made the rounds of the dining room to make sure everyone was happy. The food is fresh and beautifully presented and... boring. I'm a longtime vegetarian/nearly vegan, and I love to cook, so it's not like the food was strange or unfamiliar to me. My carnivore husband usually likes the veggie things I recommend, but we were both in agreement on this one. Because I wanted to love Great Sage, we actually went there twice. We went at an off-hour the first time when the full menu wasn't available so we wanted to give it a fair shot. There was nothing terrible or inedible, though I really did not enjoy the $18 veggie burger. It was mushy and fell apart and tasted rather unremarkable. An hour after we ate, gastric distress ensued. And the same thing happened when I tried to eat the leftovers. I'll spare you the details, but half of this expensive meal went to the compost heap. The quesadilla suffered from the vegan cheese I think. But then again, I'm just not a fan of fake cheese. And the summer rolls were bland and unexciting compared to the ones from our local Vietnamese restaurant. The food was also expensive. I don't begrudge them that, since I know from experience just how much fresh organic ingredients can cost. But for what we spent, I wanted to be wowed. My husband was bummed because he took me there as a treat, and he ended up realizing he likes my vegan cooking better. However... They change their menu frequently, so if you're a vegan looking for that rare all-vegan restaurant, it's probably worth a try. Especially since I seem to be in the minority with my opinion. Also, do check out the Roots Market next door. I believe it's owned by the same people, and I was super impressed with the selection of local and organic produce and some other specialty items. If it were near my house, I'd shop there all the time. The prices were high as expected compared to a regular grocery store, but everything we got was wonderful--with a special shout out to the Harvest Bread. (Whole grain topped generously with seeds. Amazing plain or topped with honey or peanut butter. Or both...)
(2)B. E.
I wanted to like this place, and I've tried at least a handful of times, but I just can't. Today was my worst experience yet, mostly because of our terrible, disinterested, and to be honest, incredibly rude server. He kept slamming our plates and cups down and mumbling when he talked to us (while walking away at the same time). I felt like he was faking his way through the shift and cursing all of his tables in the kitchen. I don't know, it was weird. I've never really taken issue with the service before. The food: Too many meat substitutes and even the few plant-based options are meh. If you are going to charge so much for vegan food, at least show a little creativity is how I see it. The portions for a lot of their dishes are underwhelming in size considering the price ( I don't want more food, I just don't want to overpay for it). I ordered the spring rolls once, realized they were absolutely pre-made hours earlier, and never ordered them again. I could go on about all of the dishes I have tried in hopes of finding something that would keep me coming back, but really what made me snap today was the "old bay" potato salad. It tasted like pure mayonnaise and I could barely find the potatoes in all of the sauce. I can't believe someone plopped that on a plate and thought it looked and tasted good. Places like this are few and far between, which makes me sad. I want all of them to succeed. But for right now, this place is a thumbs down for me. I will say this - they know how to make a smoothie.
(2)Susan K.
Had lunch here with my vegan friend a few weeks ago while I was in town. I loved almost EVERYTHING we had. The quesadilla was delicious! Although it is an appetizer on the menu, one could totally make a meal out of it. It was so crunchy and flavorful (and no grease!). The little spring rolls things were a bit dry and flavorless although the sauce that came with it was good. There was a lot of cabbage and other crunchy vegetables in there but it lacking much flavor and variety in texture (just pure, dry crunch). The chili was soooo good on top of quinoa. My absolute favorite was the reuben sandwich with coleslaw. All the food we had here with the exception of the rolls was better than all the vegan places I've tried in LA. Great Sage -- open a location in LA pleeeease! :) Service was very nice and friendly. Located in a delightful strip of shops including a pet goodies store just a few doors down!
(5)Samantha G.
So amazingly delicious and perfect in every way. There's not a lot to say that hasn't been said in all of the other glowing reviews, but it feels so good to be vegan (or vegetarian) here. There's no asking questions, worrying, or feeling confined to a veggie burger or portabello mushroom AGAIN. It feels so nice to sit down and order like a normal person, and the food is delicious to those non-veg people as well (my boyfriend can testify to this). On a recent visit, I ordered the green juice, a Caesar salad (boring I know- but so nice to have a 'creamy' dressing for once instead of a vinaigrette). I shared the pecan pancakes with my boyfriend and had to splurge on the smores-like dessert (see picture). It was incredible! One thing to add: It's such a nice touch that Great Sage takes your phone number and CALLS YOU when you're table is ready. You can walk around in the beautiful store next store, Nest, or browse Roots Market or more.
(5)Jimmy P.
Crazy tasty food!! LOVE this place! My wife and I drove 30 minutes to try it and we will be back! Very few places offer organic, fresh, delicious meals...we split a couple entrées, salads, and desserts and everything was amazing! And affordable to boot!
(5)Andrea L.
Home like atmosphere with menus that change every season. My friend and I ordered a pumpkin empenada it has a nice bite to it. We also had the samosa burrito and 'chicken' Pot pie which both of them were really good. Would recommend either one. The staff was friendly too. First vegan restaurant I've been to and I really enjoyed myself. :)
(5)Kimberly H.
I had the buffalo cauliflower salad and the orange rooibus iced tea. Both were very good. The atmosphere is peaceful, and the staff is friendly. It was a pleasant dining experience. I'll definitely return.
(4)Jen K.
Great Sage is a vegan restaurant located in Clarksville, a wealthy community next to suburban Columbia, MD, that I've been meaning to get to for a while now! From central Baltimore during weekday rush hour (with moderate traffic), it took about 45 minutes to get there. Not super convenient, but totally worth it! Thursday nights are half-priced bottles of wine, but I chose to imbibe with a cocktail called the 'St. Rita'. This delicious mix of tequila, St. Germain, and lemonade tasted like a slightly less sweet margarita. Food-wise, gluten-free items are clearly marked on the menu, and our server seemed very knowledgeable about the menu and the restaurant's cross-contamination measures (e.g. gluten free bread is prepared on a special surface). All of the day's Small Plates specials sounded amazing, but I decided to go with items I felt were unique, that I couldn't easily get elsewhere or make on my own. -Appetizers: The Roasted Buffalo Tempeh comes with griddled corn fritters and dijon coleslaw. The tempeh was good, but the corn fritters and coleslaw were even better! This dish may satisfy your 'buffalo wings' craving if you are vegan/vegetarian, but (as a current meat eater) I kept wishing the dish was spicier and crunchier. I also tried my dining partner's (okay, okay, it was my mom) refreshing, veggie-loaded cold Vietnamese Spring Rolls. If you order the gluten-free option, the only difference is they give you gluten free soy sauce instead of a spicy chili sauce. It also comes with a peanut sauce for dipping, which I felt was necessary to add some flavor to this very healthy appetizer. -Entrees: Here I opted for the Green Lentil And Green Chili Burger, substituting the toasted kaiser roll it normally comes with for gluten-free bread. (I'm not sure which gf bread they use, but it's taste and texture was very similar to the Food for Life brand rice bread.) The burger was very yummy--and filling--although it would have been too dry without the [delicious] chipotle aioli and green chili cashew 'cheese'. The rosemary roasted potatoes that came on the side were the only disappointing item of the night: I love potatoes, but these were bland and mealy. 'Crab' Cake photo via Great Sage The Hearts Of Palm 'crab Cake' my mom ordered was the real star of the night. The texture and taste were eerily reminiscent of an actual crab or salmon cake! And the quinoa-rice pilaf it sat on was simple but phenomenal. I even enjoyed the roasted garlic caper remoulade, despite not liking capers. -Dessert: Even for dessert, Great Sage offered many gluten-free options. I was already stuffed, but as a huge caramel fan, I ordered the Salted Caramel Taste anyway. This is a brown sugar caramel pudding with soy whip and a gluten-free cinnamon cookie. I don't know what the heck vegan whipped 'cream' is made out of, but it was just as good as any other whip I've had! And if you like salted caramel, this dessert will surely hit the spot. My mom got a scoop of homemade vegan espresso ice 'cream' (made from coconut milk) topped with house-made hot fudge. I greatly dislike coconut, but our server said the coffee flavor masks the coconut... this was not my experience, so steer clear if you don't like coconut! Luckily my mom loves it, and the hot fudge was great too. Again, hard to believe these desserts didn't contain dairy!
(5)Chris E.
The food is good and the selection ok. I felt there were too many attempts to create veggie versions of meat, eggs and cheese. I'm not a vegetarian, but often dine with them (including my, um, wife). We could use more places like this in the DC area.
(4)Emily C.
The hostess really could have used a lesson on service, that being said our waiter was quite friendly and the food was good, not the greatest for the price. When I spend $18 for a lentil burger I really want to be wowed - the potatoes on the side were cold and tasteless and the burger was very salty. Now the artichoke dip was to die for, it was delicious with a creamy depth of taste. The mac and cheese again was so-so. The chocolate lava cake was a big hit with everyone in our family, though the milkshakes were a little too runny for our liking. The weirdest item we ordered were the spring rolls - they must have been made earlier and stored because the rice paper was hardened but oily as if someone in the kitchen thought you could keep rice paper soft by oiling it - you can't. They were disgusting, spring rolls have to be made and served fresh. Overall family of 5 with 1 milkshake, 2 adult entrees, 3 kids meal (2 mac n cheese/1 hummus), 2 appetizers and 2 desserts was $120 without tip.
(3)Jeff B.
Other than the cornbread, the food at Great Sage is amazing. We ordered the Vietnamese spring rolls and raw falafel as appetizers, the potato/pesto gnocchi and Thai peanut noodles as entrees, and we split the cherry pie crisp + vanilla coconut ice cream for dessert. The spring rolls come with a peanut dipping sauce and a delicious soy sauce/teriyaki dipping sauce. The falafel isn't fried, but I liked it. My friend insisted that it tasted like fish pate. The gnocchi were superb. That pesto is amazing. The Thai peanut noodles were good; however, after eating about half of the dish, I wanted to order some cornbread. Vegan cornbread is notoriously bad, and the cornbread at Great Sage is no different. Cornbread is very difficult to master. Nonetheless, the cornbread tasted like a dry, flavorless scone. For dessert I got the cherry pie crisp. Great Sage deserves 5 stars because the pie crisp was excellent. I really like the atmosphere as well. The ambience made the date much more bearable insofar as that I could look away from my date's penetrative and staring eyes and instead admire the beautiful painting of the river and fall foliage. Our waiter, Jordan, was also super chill and funny. Jordan and I heard what sounded like a submarine, but we couldn't figure out if the search for Malaysian Airlines Flight 370 had exhausted all of the world's oceans and finally reached Maryland.
(5)Ashwini A.
Amazing delicious food! I've lived in the area my whole life and had no idea this place existed until recently. Thought I would check it out and was instantly impressed. The menu was so diverse, lots of great options including drinks and dessert. The Autumn Chili was just amazing and the pumpkin burger was delicious! As a non-vegetarian, I was initially skeptical, but this place blew my mind and I will definitely be going back!
(5)Nancy A.
Yes. YES. YES. I am a new vegan and I decided to take my Mom to this restaurant so that we could sample some vegan food so that she would realize vegan meals are more than just eating a bag of carrots. I was soooo impressed! We got the Vietnamese veggie rolls, the black bean/squash burger, roasted vegetable wrap and ended it with the carrot cake - obviously, we had some leftovers. Everything was delicious from beginning to end. I will definitely return. So glad to have a vegan restaurant in the area!
(5)Rachael E.
Non- vegan children beware! Today I was babysitting 5 year old twin girls. I took them out and about to do some early Christmas shopping. As we were walking around the conscious corner shopping center I decided to fuel up on some yummy vegan food for lunch. I've been to great sage multiple times and usually have a pleasant experience. Today was different. After I was seated, I unpacked the snack pack the girl'a mother had packed for them. They each had 1/2 a ham and cheese sandwich and a bag of carrots. Within a minute the manager approached my table and said, 'Is that meat and cheese I see on their sandwich?' He then went on to explain how this is a vegan restaurant, they don't even have honey and they don't allow meat products in the store. Taken aback, I asked if I could stay and he said yes, but he was 'letting me know for next time'. I am a vegetarian myself, so I see where he is coming from, but I feel like when it comes to 5 year olds he didn't need to attack what they were eating. It is isolating attitudes like this that give vegans a bad wrap. I personally take a more encouraging stance when I am conversing with non- vegetarians. In hopes that I can positively influence them to make better food choices. I felt very embarrassed in front of and for the girls and the other tables near by who could hear him address me. I should be able to eat my lunch without all the judgement of little girls snacks. If he wanted to inform me that outside food is not allowed, than that would be a different story. I should have walked out, but in my shock, I stayed and spent 20$ on a meal that was ruined from the beginning. The manager kept insisting he was 'sorry he had to say anything' but it was truly in bad taste and completely ruined my experience. I will not be back and I will share my experience with others. I wanted to ask him if it was okay that the lady's shoes next to me were leather? Or if his clothing was made in US factories or in China by child labor? Because if we are pointing fingers, why not dive in to all things ethical? By the way the buffalo cauliflower was undercooked and squishy.
(1)Amanda P.
I am by no means a vegetarian or vegan, and probably never will be, but everything at Great Sage is amazing and you'll probably forget it's all vegan. They change their menu seasonally, but I've never had anything bad there. Today I had the vegetable crudo - veggies with an "Alfredo" sauce, the pumpkin empanada, the "chicken" pot pie, and a chai bundt cake. Everything is so flavorful and very filling! Seriously, you won't regret going here.
(5)Desiree M.
I only ever did take out here, but looking around inside, I thought it was a very nice place with elegance. It also had an area to eat outside on nice days. I saw a group of four adults and two children and they had to push tables together. I don't think going in groups or bringing children is a good idea. It is definitely for just two or three people, perhaps on a date? I always enjoy eating things that are vegan because it can taste very refreshing and different, plus it is healthier. What I found really refreshing but still sweet was their soy ice cream. I usually get the quesadilla because it is really good. My only complaint is that I feel the portion is kind of small for 10$. However after coming to yelp, I discovered it is cheaper during happy hour because these people respond to some of their yelp reviews. Gave a star for that one. I won't come here again for myself even for the wonderful quesadillas, but if I ever have a friend or a date, I would definitely.
(4)Diana K.
So good. Soooo good. Now that I've said that ill review : - stick to the staple foods , sometimes they get over excited on a seasonal dish and it's not as impressive - very expensive - even for vegan food. - owners own bark and roots so they do have plenty of good that they add to the community. -their brownie /chocolate cake thing with vegan ice cream is amazing. - don't get the cupcakes - go to roots and get some there that are vegan , they taste the same and you get more for your money - in the fall try their pumpkin smoothie My number one complaint with them is that you can't make reservations and the hostess isn't very organized. If there is a wait prepared to be annoyed and witness incompetency. ( not to mention they call babies "half a person" and make you wait as though you have a bigger party)
(4)Starrlina S.
Tried this restaurant for first time. We had the Reuben (made with tempeh) and the Nori Bowl with brown rice. As I'm not vegan, I do love vegetables. Prices were average and the staff helpful in making suggestions. Most meat lovers would probably stop at Wendy's on their way out, but for newbies with an open mind -- the way the food is prepared is surprisingly VERY tasty! I would return to try something else.
(4)Michelle C.
I don't know why I waited so long to try this restaurant. It was amazing! It's probably the best vegan meal I've had in the DC area. I had the green lentil and green chile burger. It was topped with tortilla strips for crunch, avocado for creaminess, and a chipotle aioli for extra kick. Uh-maz-ing! The chili roasted potatoes on the side were good but not great. My husband had the adult mac and cheese and loved it. For dessert, we had the almond flour skillet cookie with salted peanut ice cream. The almond flour made it gluten free which was a little weird to me - the mouth feel or something. It was still good. I'm already thinking of reasons to go back!
(5)Katie D.
White bean hummus was a splendid appetizer choice, also the buffalo cauliflower side as an appetizer. The menu is seasonal, the server was knowledgeable about the dishes and the organic wines. Comfortable at home atmosphere about the place. Carrot cake wasn't to my liking, a little dry, but that's the tiniest bit of a complaint I can come up with. I cleaned my plate- the mushroom stroganoff, and throughly enjoyed the entire experience. Definitely will become a staple place to routinely go back to!
(5)Wayne H.
Very good vegan restaurant, I am a meat eater and I was pleasantly surprised. I had the heart of Palm crab cake and it was wonderful. My partner had a great black Eyed pea cajun soup which was tasteful.
(4)Sierra S.
This was my first visit to "Great Sage". I have two co-workers who constantly rave about how wonderful the food is and how many of their non - vegan friends also love it so I figured I should check it out. I ventured there for lunch on a rainy and somewhat cold Tuesday afternoon. We missed the lunch rush so getting seated wasn't an issue. The waitress, Jess, was very familiar with the menu and offered some suggestions. Since many of the reviews of Great Sage mention the "Adult Mac & Cheese" it made the cut along with the Thai green coconut curry and corn fritters. I tried the mac& cheese and..... I am not a fan. Full disclosure, I love mac&cheese but this was....I can't even find the words. Eek. The curry seemed more like a giant bowl of soup but underneath it all, there was some brown rice? Jess, the waitress, suggested having the curry with some baguettes which she happily brought out. My friend actually liked the mac&cheese and I liked the curry which she was kind enough to share. I ended up ordering some brown rice to go with the curry...a rather small bowl which cost $4. I don't see myself ever returning to Great Sage, it just wasn't that good. The waitress seemed surprised that I didn't like the mac&cheese and asked if I was a vegan. I said No and her response seemed to suggest that was the reason I didn't like the famed mac&cheese was because I wasn't a vegan. Rubbish. It wasn't yummy. The corn fritters? Equally disappointing. I like good food but this place didn't win me over..."too many vegans/hipsters and I just can't relate"
(2)Fylvia K.
This vegetarian leaves very full and very satisfied. Large, scrumptious portions. Must try the Adult Macaroni and Cheese. Sips of the green juice is a great palate cleanser when jumping from one dish to another
(5)Brian F.
The food here is really good! Even those who are not vegan will love it (aka me). I started with a curry pea soup that was amazing. My mushroom stroganoff with gnocchi was delicious, as was the veggie burger that my mom ordered. The coffee we got after the meal was pretty decent (high praise from a coffee snob such as myself). The only issue I have is that the food here is expensive, but it was worth it for me.
(4)Angela M.
Great Sage is the most awesome plant-based goodness around! Our favorite restaurant hands down!
(5)Sarah D.
SO GOOD! This is a great place to take your pre-vegan family and friends. They will NOT be disappointed. I've taken "meat and potatoes" people here and they nearly licked the plate clean. Like another reviewer said: You cannot go wrong with the Adult Mac & Cheese. But everything I've ever at Great Sage has been amazing. Oh and come next Sunday, Feb. 23rd for Vegan Outreach Benefit Day ~ 10% of your bill will be donated towards VO's cost-effective outreach!
(5)Hiroko N.
Before this restaurant, I had only gone to one vegan restaurant, which is down in College Park. I was hoping that, unlike the one in College Park, that this restaurant would stray away from imitation meat in favor of more "natural" vegan foods, but that was not the case. I found myself going through the menu, its pages littered with many ' ' marks, signifying imitation this and imitation that (ie: 'cream cheese,' 'crab,' 'beef,' 'ice cream'). It took me a while to find a dish that did not seem like it would have any imitation ingredients, and ordered a tofu taco (I like my Tofus looking like Tofus, as opposed to beef or pork, but it's just my preference). It was delicious. The sides, I did not like as much (the rice had a very strange texture), but the tofu tacos were great; they were obviously not 'normal' tacos, but they had their own texture and flavor that met very well with salsa and tortillas. I also ordered one of their fruity teas, which was good, though I would like to branch out next time. For dessert, I had a slice of carrot cake, against my 'better' judgement against imitation products (eggs, milk, creme cheese, flour), I saw so many reviews, and just had to try it! It was amazingly delicious, and I was surprised at how moist it was, even though it was listed as gluten free. It was also a huge slice, too. Would be perfectly fine for 2 people to share. The price is obviously quite high, being a niche vegan restaurant, but the atmosphere was great, and it would be a nice place to go as a treat.
(4)Harmony H.
Great Sage is definitely a great find. You can easily find vegan cafes but nice vegan restaurants are a rarity in the DC area. The ambiance was nice with very friendly staff. Not pricy considering it's all organic and vegan. FOOD: Most of the food was delicious and complex...you don't quite understand what you're eating (although it says clearly on the menu and the staff are very helpful) but you know it's tasty. Suggestions: Carrot Cake---SoOo Good! A Must Lentil Burger---Moist and flavorful Artichoke and Spinach Dip---mostly all artichoke but good Avoid: Raw Ramen---really bad Caramel Martini---way too sweet Quesadilla Just Okay Dishes: Mac n Cheese---maybe good for it being vegan? Indian Lentil---doesn't live up to the flavors of India Falafel Chai Tea Coffee Latte Mojito
(4)Melissa H.
My first time at a truly vegan restaurant and I must say that was amazing! Everything was just so flavorful and tasty. Service was great and I'll definitely be coming back. Brunch is the best!
(5)Eric G.
I wish this place was closer to home! I wanted to order everything to take home with me. Go, and bring your non-V friends. Delicious.
(5)nic b.
Tried it again...i have no idea why. Oily gnocchi that was completely bland. Although the texture of the gnocchi itself was spot on. And thanks for the tiny portions for $19. Perfect for the diet conscious. You sure the caeser was vegan because it both smelled and tasted fishy? It was also just chopped romaine and some croutons with a decided lack of dressing. Totally uninspired and boring. Bartender was pleasant, so at least that has improved over my last experience here. That said, I've had it with this place. Vegan does not equal flavor free unless you go here.
(1)Reezle W.
I can't say enough good things about this restaurant...Best mac'n cheese I have EVER had in my life. You have to get it, either as an entree or to pass around. The spinach artichoke dip is a lemon-y garlic creamy cheesy masterpiece. They serve it with the perfect crispy bread. "Chicken" tacos are good, but you only get two in the appetizer and they were really small between the three of us...Good flavor though. The green chili lentil burger is large, hearty, and filling. The aioli, onions and avocado on it are perfect, and the texture of the bun is like a toasted large English muffin, not some throw-away bun. The chard is a great side. I've tried both the pesto gnocci and Thai peanut curry and both are...okay. They don't have the kick you in the teeth flavor the other dishes seem to have, so don't feel bad about skipping those. On the lite fare menu I have also tried the grilled veggie wrap with a smoky olive aioli, which is so good. Their cocktails are good, I'm not a big mixed drink person so I don't know what I tried there. Wine selection is decent, the Carmel Valley Pinot Noir is my favourite there. Dessert. Their carrot cake is famous for a reason! It is so good! I have also had one of their nightly specials, a peanut butter mousse sundae---amazing! And their baked cherry crumble with coconut ice "cream" which is also really yummy. You can't go wrong with anything here. Try the specials, they have creative things like a mushroom-tomato "ceviche," carrot puree, and broccoli poutine which has the same cheese sauce as the mac, soo good!
(5)Mistery M.
Winter review. First. PAPER NAPKINS. HORRIBLE HORRIBLE PAPER NAPKINS. IF THE HOWARD COUNTY CHINESE RESTAURANTS CAN DO CLOTH SO CAN YOU. Two stars docked. Next. Winter menu is ehhhhhh. The lentils are smooshy and plbbbhh. The pot pie i mean pot pie napolean is nice but like the lunch, just tidy up the presentation. Burger just sux. The mac and chees is as it has always been. Pretty good. Buffalo cauliflower is Grade A. Mushroom risotto. Again. SMOOSHY. Winter does not mean food has to smoosh. Get cloth napkins. Summer menu was tits and winter menu is. Smooshy. Also let your waitstaff drink on the job. Do you know what waitstaff do on the job in DC and NYC? Happier more enabled waiters equals happier customers. I cant even buy a shot for my server at closing!!! How do you expect me to express my love? Speaking pf expressing my love, the picture in the mens bathroom over the urinal is falling apart. Too much passive aggressively expressed love i suppose.
(2)William M.
Great Sage may just be one of my favorite restaurants. It was a little pricier than I expected, but they more than made up for it in terms if quality. Also, for a vegetarian/vegan restaurant, this place is outstanding. The ambience is very nice, and it makes the perfect location for a date or a lovely night out with a friends. I split the quesadilla appetizer with my friend, and they were literally the best quesadillas I've ever had! Black beans, fresh cilantro, corn, amazing pita, and some cheese substitute that tasted so good I seriously couldn't believe it wasn't actually cheese. I ordered the special as my entree, and it was spinach and a creamy cheese sauce wrapped in phyllo bread, served alongside what was essentially a cream of butternut squash purée. WOW! I was blown away. I was so full afterwards so I didn't have room for dessert. But ill be back - this place is totally worth the trip out from DC!
(5)D W.
Ok, so I'm not new to Great Sage, I've been here a handful of times, maybe more, and the food for the most part is always really good. But, I decided to go on a strictly Vegan kick for the next 6 week's (trying to detoxify my skin) anyway, I came here tonight for dinner (to go). I sat at the bar while I was waiting on my order. The atmosphere is always nice. The first drink I ordered was called a Rosemary Lemon Drop, I think. It was ok, couldn't really taste the alcohol, but the wine I had afterwards, geesh! that did the trick. So, for the appetizer I ordered the cauliflower buffalo bites. The bites came with buffalo sauce and a ranch sauce. The cauliflower bites were soooooooo delicious. After tasting the ranch sauce I thought I made a mistake and was eating real ranch sauce, you know with the real mayo and everything, I was about to get upset until I called the restaurant to ask what the sauce was made with. Let me just say, everything in the restaurant is completely VEGAN, no matter how wonderful it taste. I was completely shocked, the bites tasted that good, better than any meat eating restaurant I've ever been to. Tomorrow I will take the rest of my meal I brought for lunch and update you, and this time I'll take pics.
(5)Angelica Jayne T.
I've been here three times now -- once for dinner, where felt I was in a 1st class restaurant, and twice for lunch. Yesterday my friend and I wanted comfort food after all the snow shoveling, and were in the Columbia area. The only place we thought of was Great Sage! The Adult Mac and Cheese and a veggie wrap fit the bill perfectly. Everything, including the coffee was delicious. Our server was very friendly and knowledgeable. Please, Great Sage, open another restaurant in Timonium!
(5)Nori H.
This place makes me super happy. It's the only vegan (or even vegetarian) haven you're going to find within miles in this otherwise-wasteland, and it's super legit. The butternut squash soup that may or may not still be on the menu is delicious; their mac and "cheese" is hearty and tasty; their lentil burger is solid. I've dragged several omnivorous coworkers here, and they left full. Also, they have good beer. And wine. And vegan spiked hot chocolate, which made my boyfriend really happy.
(4)Nic E.
We are weekly regulars at this AWESOME vegan restaurant. The service is always friendly and prompt, the atmosphere is great, and the food is amazing. Every dish we've tried is super flavorful and well done. Their daily specials are always a treat. I can honestly say that I've never had a bad meal here. They are very cognizant of soy and gluten allergies as well. Great spot for a quick brunch or lunch, as well as a romantic dinner. The patio area is nice during the summer. I wish there were more places like Sage!
(5)Danielle K.
It's hard to describe Great Sage. It seems to have upscale pretensions (and upscale prices) but in a fairly laid-back environment conducive to families. They're a non-ethnic vegan but with cuisines all over the place. Where else can you get a quesadilla and Thai-inspired salads at one meal (if you're so inclined)? I've had great meals and less memorable meals there, but it's a good go-to spot if I'm going to a concert at Merriweather or it's on the way to points north. On our most recent visit, my boyfriend got the potato bisque soup of the day. The flavor wasn't bad, but it had a sort of grainy texture that took from my enjoyment. My Thai "Chicken" Salad, which I had as my meal, was HUGE, and it had a nice kick to it. It was a rather cold day, so I might have liked it better were the noodles and "chicken" a bit warmer, but I would probably order it again. My boyfriend got the Harvest Plate, a dish of "turkey" with stuffing and butternut squash gravy. It was pretty good, but not as good as the "turkey" open-face sandwich I'd had on a prior visit. For dessert, I ordered the raw chocolate tart. It was extremely rich and filling--almost too rich. I do like eating raw foods as cuisine once in a while, but it's easy to go overboard. As I live in DC and Great Sage is not near any public transit, I don't get out there often, but that's what makes it special. I do wish there were a similar restaurant a bit closer to home, though.
(3)Rosalyn W.
We just saw the movie "Forks Over Knives" and are transitioning to a vegetarian menu, so we went back to try the Great Sage again as our first experience was just "okay". My fiance was advocating for a different restaurant for the entire drive over there, but this time the food was great & he was totally sold on everything! I had the rosemary-mustard crusted tofu, it was the best tofu I've ever had (my leftovers the next day tasted even better). My daughter had the braised tempeh which was pretty good , my first time tasting tempeh. My fiance loved his chickpea & quiona burger (though I didn't taste that). And the blueberry cheese cake was nothing less than amazing. I am so happy we gave this place another try! The presentation was awesome, the service is pretty good.
(4)Zachary H.
Nice all-vegan restaurant in the general DC/Baltimore area. My wife and I have been a couple times now and have tried a decent amount of dishes: a couple soups, the Vietnamese Spring Rolls, the Green Lentil/Green Chili Burger, Adult Mac & "Cheese", Hearts Of Palm 'crab Cake', and the White Chocolate Creme Brulee to name some. The food was all very good, but nothing really blew us away. It's a nice atmosphere though, and as vegans - it's just really great to be able to order anything on the menu when going out to eat. We're definitely fans of Great Sage and are looking forward to more visits, as the seasons/menu changes, hopeful to find a favorite dish or two!
(3)Amber M.
As good as it gets in terms of customer service, quality, & innovation in vegan cuisine. While visiting Great Sage I suggest trying something different every time, the food is just that good. I had the opportunity to enjoy a handful of small plates, appetizers, & desserts during a dinner date at GS with a good friend. We ordered as much as we could stand since we were on time for the happy hour but too early for dinner time. Everything delicious & fresh! The cocktails are equally marvelous. Cheers!
(5)Angela P.
With the recent closing of three vegetarian/vegan restaurants in the metro DC area, Great Sage is now the only non-ethnic vegan restaurant open daily for lunch and dinner within 30 miles of DC. Sadly, it's true. So on this Saturday, my mother and I went to check out the newly released fall 2012 menu. Despite it being in the middle of the day, the dining room was still very busy. We were seated towards the back of the restaurant and were immediately greeted with a couple glasses of water. Our server approached the table and we both ordered a glass of wine. I know it is just lunch, but, hey, it was after 2 p.m. so why not?! Our server kept approaching us as we took our time discussing the menu items. He had a coarseness to him that was undesirable by us at the time and he really rubbed us the wrong way. He mentioned his favorite dishes when he first approached us, then later when I asked him about one item, he seemed annoyed and remarked, "do you think I'd lie to you?" He was indicating that he already mentioned that item was good. Geez, pipe down, brother. So we placed our orders. We both started with the raw Mediterranean salad. The small "side" salad was huge! The crisp romaine heart leaves were piled high with red peppers, cucumber, tomatoes, olives, and red onion along with crunchy sprouts in a lemon garlic dressing and a dollop of hummus. This salad was way too salty. It tasted like they dumped the entire container of salt into the hummus. It was also way too big for a small salad. Next, they dropped off my mother's tempeh reuben and brought me some sort of sandwich. I then told them that I ordered enchiladas. My server apparently put in the wrong order for me. I nibbled at the tempeh reuben while I waited [for a long time] for my entree. I think they really need to improve on their reuben. They could learn a lot from Chicago Diner on this one. Finally, my pumpkin enchiladas arrived. Luckily, they were worth the wait. The enchiladas were filled with pumpkin, black beans, roasted corn, cilantro, and chilis and topped with some sort of vegan sour cream and mole. They were delicious. They were served atop a Spanish quinoa that was cooked with tomatoes. Did I mention that after suggesting a hot sauce, the server still forgot to bring this?! After adding both hots and hot sauce to this dish, I enjoyed it even more. I was way too full to enjoy dessert, but my mother insisted I take one home so I ordered the new pumpkin pie. It was served with caramel sauce and some sort of vegan cream. It was a great pumpkin pie. So, in the end, some of the dishes were great and some were not, their prices are on the high end for lunch in Maryland at $13 per entree, and the service left much to be desired. In fact, it was nearly 15 minutes before he brought us the check. That is not to mention his bad, sarcastic attitude throughout the meal despite our attempts to be pleasant. I'm sure I will be back next season, but not anytime soon.
(3)Cathy N.
My sister is vegetarian and wanted to try this place out. It was very good, the artichoke dip is awesome. I think I got a soba noodle dish with a peanut butter dressing, it was so good I had to go home and make it myself. And it's great that the grocery store is right next door.
(4)Milton H.
Declared today that I'm making the conversion to healthier food. Started tonight with Vegan Quesadillas. Taste like cheese is in them but not. So far my first meal was great. Can't wait to go back again to GR8t Sage!
(4)Becca R.
Great Sage has been on my radar for a while after non-vegetarian friends recommended it. Went here for lunch with my mom yesterday. The lunch and dinner menus are slightly different, I think I prefer the lunch menu because it's more cafe style food. Setting is more casual than I expected, but it works better that way. In comparison to one of the other local vegetarian restaurants, One World Cafe in Baltimore, the choices and style of food is similar but you don't leave Great Sage smelling funky like you do at One World, so that's a plus. I had the club sandwich, it was really tasty. They used tempeh to make the "bacon" which added a really great texture to the sandwich. Mom had the green lentil and butternut squash burger. She's not a vegetarian, but she gave it high marks. They change the menus seasonally which keeps things fresh.
(4)Cara T.
We love Great Sage!! The options are outstanding, and the place always has a great atmosphere. The live music is really nice on Thursdays. I enjoy so many of the different dishes here, and I appreciate that the menu changes seasonally to try new items. I have been a vegetarian for longer than Great Sage has been around, but my meat eating friends love this restaurant too. The one thing that bugs me is that you have to specifically request bread; I would rather they offer it. Otherwise, I have been enjoying Great Sage for many, many years (since they opened!) and I am so thankful to have such a cool, innovative, unique, and relish restaurant right here in Clarksville.
(5)Melissa G.
My favorite restaurant! :) The food is always so delicious and the service is always great! :)
(5)Mary D.
Great food, great service, and great atmosphere. Love the fact that it's all vegan!
(5)Greg W.
I would highly recommend Great Sage. Regardless if you are vegan or not, you must try it at least once. The adult mac and cheese is probably my best meal. They have awesome "Crab" cakes too.
(5)Carol D.
We were here yesterday for lunch. I would have given more stars if the service was better. It all started when we asked the hostess if we could sit outside, group of 5 of us, the waitress said out loud "seriously"? As if it was to much trouble to put two tables together. Then after we were given menus we were ignored for about 15 minutes until I asked if we could order. Then I got my soup appetizer for my meal as the waitress did not put my meal order in. Poor service overall However the food was really good. Management should have a talk with the staff about how they should do their jobs. Customer service Fail.
(3)Ron D.
The food and service here is amazing. I am so lucky to have one of the best vegan restaurants so close to me. I highly recommend trying this place, you will not be disappointed.
(5)Kiana W.
This was a certainly the 'diamond in the rough' we found during our time in Columbia, Baltimore and Washington DC areas! Especially in Columbia and the suburbs, where fast food is rampant, this vegan restaurant with creative dish combinations and seasonal produce was lovely. I had the provencal vegetable dish-- very nice, LOVED the mushrooms and basil pesto. The "fake" chicken was not great-- better to highlight good alternative foods than to recreate the animal products that aren't served. The white chocolate raspberry tart was also very nice, we had it with the coconut ice cream. Am looking for some good restaurants like this in my area-- it was a delight to find it! Keep up the good work in cooking up some delicious and healthy dishes.
(4)May S.
Love the ambiance of great sage!! Even though it's a little pricey, I believe it's worth it and have always enjoyed making a special trip to enjoy a vegan meal. I have visited during brunch several times(LOVE the pancakes) but only recently had the opportunity to come for Dinner. The food was divine and the service was spectacular. Our server's name was Amy, who proved to be extremely nice and attentive. She definitely maximized our enjoyment with her prompt service and smile. I was excited to show my Dad and brother that vegan food could be delicious, and luckily great sage did not disappoint! My little brother especially enjoyed the chocolate lava cake, as did we all! I look forward to returning to great sage soon!
(5)Laryssa W.
I was over-the-moon happy to find this place during a road trip with my boyfriend from New Jersey to Columbia, MD on a Saturday morning. We were famished and wanted somewhere unique to eat brunch/lunch! On this beautiful October day, we were happy to be seated on the adorable outdoor patio adjacent to the restaurant. I was really excited by the menu options, all vegan. I would love if Great Sage served brunch on Saturdays, so that I could have tried some of their brunch items, but brunch is reserved for Sundays. However, I was happy to order the pumpkin enchiladas: pumpkin, black beans, roasted corn, cilantro and chilies wrapped in corn tortillas topped with cilantro 'sour cream' and molé over Spanish quinoa. My boyfriend got the club sandwich and a "funky monkey" super smoothie with raw cacao, almond milk, banana, and agave. To start, we shared a raw salad. The servers were all extremely friendly and helpful. Our waiter noticed the concert t-shirts we were wearing and asked us about our travels. It turns out he was familiar with many vegan restaurants in the New York metro area so we chatted about them for a few minutes. I felt very welcome and comfortable. I could've done without the salad, which didn't seemed to have any dressing on it. I loved the pumpkin enchiladas but could have done without the quinoa, which just seemed like an afterthought, a way to make the enchiladas more healthy. My boyfriend loved his sandwich, and we both especially LOVED the smoothie. I would absolutely return here, if I'm ever in the area again. I would love to attend on of their craft beer nights or even have time to enjoy dessert. I'd also like to try the brunch, if I can ever make it on a Sunday. Highly recommended.
(5)Alex M.
wow. I'm not a vegetarian, but there is more flavor in the food here than any steakhouse I've been to - and I've been to quite a few. I had the 'boar' special and the empanada app. both we're amazing. more food than I could finish but I finished it anyway. sooo delicious. I strongly endorse this place.
(5)Laurie H.
If you are gluten free because you have celiac or diabetic or pre-diabetic and are on a low carb diet, stay with the salads. I am both, stopped here with my vegetarian daughter on the way to the airport from Olney for an early dinner after having made salads for lunch at home. We didn't want more salad and there were no other low carb options, so I was stuck with high carb choices with no high protein source to slow down their entry into my bloodstream. Most people do not realize that legumes are mostly carb and have little protein and the tofu dish we ordered barely had any of that also. We didn't have time to go somewhere else, so i figured I'd simple deal with the fatigue and headache from the blood sugar rush and we shared 4 appetizers and a main course wrap, which were all supposed to be gluten free. They weren't. This is the first time in 1 1/2 years since i was diagnosed and went gluten free that the lifelong stomach problems I had, which vanished within weeks after I went gluten free, have returned. I am never going back there. It will take a week or two for the celiac autoimmune reaction to subside and my stomach problems to ease up, and my vacation starts tomorrow.
(1)Jonathan C.
One of my favorite restaurants. Delicious vegan food, top-notch service, and they throw benefit days for animal advocacy organizations, meaning they're a company with a commitment to a better world. Nestled in the Conscious Corner shopping plaza (featuring Roots and other veg-friendly establishments). So even though Clarksville may be out of the way for some, it's worth the drive to get to Great Sage. For brunch, I get the biscuits and gravy (with tempeh bacon and veggies), and for lunch/dinner, my go-to is the mac and cheese. Definitely worth checking out.
(5)Marian G.
I traveled an hour to try out this restaurant for the 1st time. I have wanted to do so for quite a while so arranged to meet a friend there for an early dinner. The number of available entrees on menu were less than I had anticipated and I was a bit taken back by the prices associated with the very simple selections. I had a hard time choosing but my friend who had been there before suggested the lentil burger. She ordered the Mac and cheese and we split our meals 1/2 1/2 so that we could each try 2 menu items. I have to admit both items were very tasty. The lentil burgers were the best that I have had and I also enjoyed the Mac/cheese. It was definitely what I call "feel good" food. I still believe the prices are a bit high for what you get but I will probably yearn for a lentil burger fixed just right in a few months and make my 1 hour pilgrimage to get my fix. In the mean time I'll save up and maybe have 1 there and take a second home for the next day. hmmm
(4)Colleen R.
Astoundingly fabulous! Everything on the menu is a joy for vegans and non vegans alike! Their pastries are stupendous! The atmosphere is wonderful and they have an amazing selection of vegan smoothies, cafe latte's and cocktails. All of the staff is wonderful. Certainly going to invite many of my friends, vegans and non-vegans alike to share in this treasure of a restaurant. Also, the surrounding stores are all wonderful! A great way to spend an evening.
(5)Erika F.
Best Vegan restaurant in the Baltimore-DC area. I drove up from DC for lunch and let me just say it was well worth the drive! My friend and I are both vegan and have been dying to find a good vegan place east of Portland! Most vegan shops I have been to are not only tiny but are really vegetarian places with "vegan options". I felt right at home in this 100% vegan restaurant. I loved the ambience. You can choose to sit inside the warm dining room or outside on the patio if the day is nice. The service here is wonderful. Everyone is extremely professional and always making sure you have everything you need. They have a great variety to choose from that is always changing. Let me tell you a bit about what we ate today: (1) Vegan Caesar Salad - I've been missing the caesar ever since I went vegan. This didn't feel like a "fake" caesar, it was everything I was wanting! So delish. It was creamy and salty and even had the reminiscence of anchovies. I don't know how they do it- but if you like and miss the caesar salad you must try this. (2) Artichoke Spinach Dip - IF YOU LEAVE HERE WITHOUT TRYING THIS YOU HAVE FAILED. lol This dip is so delicious. Creamy and hearty. You can't miss the artichokes in this dip. It comes with garlicky-buttery toasted baguette slices on the side. I really thought about ordering a second one, but needed to save some room for... (3) The Reuben - This sandwich was great. A lot of vegan restaurants "veganize" the reuben but this one was the best we've had. The tempeh was thick and juicy like you'd expect in a hot deli sandwich. The kraut and tangy dressing really make this sandwich something special. I am usually hesitant to eat vegan deli cheese but this sandwich did it right. The cheese melts really nicely and feels like the real thing. First time I don't regret ordering something that has vegan cheese on it. Quite delightful. (4) The Lentil and Green Chili burger - OMG. The spicy dressing on this burger is to die for. They do not skimp on the avocado folks. I think there was an entire avocado on this burger - it was such a nice addition/pairing to the spicy sauce. It also came with these crispy chips that gave this sandwich the right amount of crunch. I was in heaven. (5) We were so stuffed but couldn't leave without ordering their "famous carrot cake" to go. I actually just finished devouring that before writing this review. It was so good. Three layers of cake with amazing cream "cheese" frosting between each layer. They also top this cake with lots of chopped walnuts. It's pretty amazing. The cream cheese is tangy just like the real deal. I loved it. They really make sure you have enough to eat at this place - this cake "slice" was big enough to feed four people I'd say. Overall, such an amazing trip. Writing this review makes me want to turn back and head over for dinner. I was not disappointed. I should also say that everything coming out of the kitchen looked delicious, not just what we ordered. So I already have a list in my head of what I'll be ordering next.
(5)Jon L.
No thanks. My burger was painfully dry and I felt like I was eating a dry bread burger. The avocado on top was a nice touch, but in all honesty I would have rather eaten a garden burger. The potato fries I was served were tiny/lazy in quantity and were so incredibly overcooked that they were barely edible. The burger clocked in at $17. This was a horrible dining experience and I do not recommend it to anyone.
(1)Suzy D.
This is the JoS. A. Bank of Yelp reviews: buy one, get two free. For the meat eaters: Great Sage, in all of its glory, was perfectly embodied by the hostess: total hippie. A long, flowy dress. The sing-song voice of someone who honestly thinks that not eating a steak makes the world a better place...or has just smoked too much weed in her lifetime. Lots of patience, which really just means she doesn't believe in adhering to any timetable. I bet she doesn't shave her armpits. Here's the important thing -- the place is vegan. What does that mean for us meat eaters? That means eat a snack of beef jerky before you go and you better be well compensated by your date if you don't complain about the food...she'll be eating meat by the end of the night anyway, hey hey. As an open minded meat eater I can attest that vegan does not mean the food is bad. The two dishes The Vegetarian and I split were edible (some vegan stuff isn't, but let's not start a discussion about raw food...even though there are several raw options on the menu here) and the serving sizes were way more than one serving. The chili was bland and the beans undercooked, but the presentation was lovely with mix-it-yourself beans, veggies and quinoa. The key to successful is to flavor everything, and this just wasn't done. Traditional chili doesn't even have beans in it though it's become more than acceptable to include them, but you know what it does have? Chili powder. Didn't taste like this dish had any in it. If you're going to make an imitation chili dish, you should at least try to make it taste right, even if it's not going to have the same consistency. The dish was filling and well balanced, but a lackluster dish like this is going to make us gripe about how much better it would be with meat...and we are right. The adult mac and "cheese" wasn't very adult but tasted pretty good. When I think of an adult version of kid food I think something's making it naughty. Usually that's an indulgence like truffle oil or obscene amounts of bacon. This seemed more like "if there are veggies hiding under cheese maybe the kids won't notice." Uh, I noticed. This dish, however, blew away all other fake-cheeses I've eaten. It was creamy and rich like the real thing and tasted great...almost cheesy! Similarly, the cream "cheese" frosting on the carrot cake could have fooled me. If all else fails and you're having a hard time getting over the "no animals were harmed in the making of this food" tagline, drink copious amounts of alcohol and you won't remember what you ate. The cocktails we had were well made and the inclusion of almond milk in my Ginger Snap Cookie gave it body and enough milkiness to pair well with the spice. For the vegetarians: To give myself a little credibility, I was a vegetarian for several years: I feel your pain of usually being able to eat one thing on a menu...and of course the three obligatory sides. Like you, I don't understand why anyone would omit cheese from their diet. Maybe they're evil or have been brainwashed. Whatever the reason, Great Sage follows suit and is strictly vegan (you know, other than things like honey in the decaf latte because it wouldn't be the DC area without someone claiming they're some kind of vegetarian-pescetarian-flexitarian when really they eat whatever animal product they want when it's convenient for them, thank you for giving vegetarians an even worse name). You and I, we're in this together, we both want the added flavor of cheese and cream. That being said, it's often hard to find veggie options, and Great Sage, at the very least, gives you an entire menu of things you can eat...just don't expect all of the items to have the flavors you've become accustomed to in your vegetarian diet. Besides the food options, vegetarians will most enjoy finally not being made fun of. We have all been the brunt of dumb jokes and outright ignorance of what it means to be a vegetarian, but here at Great Sage you won't have that problem. Here you're more normal than all the vegans and can join in with the meat eaters in poking fun at them and making true statements like "cheese can solve all the world's problems." Welcome, friend, you've likely never felt so included. For the vegans: I don't know why you bothered reading this shit, you aren't going to trust my opinion anyway. Think of how many endangered beetles you could have saved if you hadn't wasted your time on Yelp.
(4)Lillian C.
I brought my SO of 3+ years here for his birthday. He has been a vegan for almost 20 years at this point and has been to almost all the vegan joints in the area so this is one of our final frontiers in the DC area. I hear vegans raving about the place, so why not? I thought the cocktails were excellent and the restaurant has a great ambience. Unlike other (non-vegan) restaurants in this price-range, the place was relatively quiet so it was easy to have a romantic dinner and not tune in to laughter of a group of cackling women over happy hour. So why I had to knock off two stars was that the relatively pricey hunk of seitan dish the SO got tasted like any other big chunk of seitan covered in viscous cornstarch glaze we've had at other vegan places for easily half the price. I don't know what's up with it, but they need to stop. It's repulsive. It's like eating erasers covered in goo. The texture is an absolute abomination and the spices do not accent the rubbery awfulness. I'm going to call it meatloaf for now, because it's what it had the most resemblance to (mystery meat mash, cruelty-free). I am an omnivore and I don't even eat meatloaf, so why vegans would want to replicate meatloaf is an absolute mystery to me. But in other news, the brussel sprouts were really good and the fact that your non-seitan dishes were impressive tells me that this place has capable cooks in the kitchen and this is not a place I'd write off but I beg you to never serve "meatloaf" ever again.
(3)Ryan B.
Picked a nice friday night to drive out from Baltimore to The Great Sage, we decided to sit inside due to impending rain, we were promptly served water and given the specials of the day by our waitress Amy. I had read several comments on Yelp that mentioned bad service or certain food items lacking, but I would say that almost every part of our meal exceeded expectations and was delicious. Since several people recommended it, we got the Artichoke and Spinach dip and the Black bean Quesedilla, while both were amazing the Artichoke dip was out of this world, the people that didn't like it must of been looking for something that you would get at Chilli's or Applebee's. My date ordered the Green Lentil and Green Chili Burger that came with a potato side topped with avocado and tortilla strips, I had some and both of us thought it was amazing, if you are used to the five dollar garden burgers that are frozen, then you probably won't be a fan of the high quality, and fresh taste this burger has to offer. I went with the special which was an Orange Sesame 'Chicken' with a carrot pilaf and some vegetables, I would say it was a decent option but in hindsight I wish I had ordered the Mac and Cheese. We also ordered a side of the corn bread with some 'butter', and took most of our meals home. One of the managers, Katie, visited our table during the visit to see how everything was, the service was amazing from the hostess, all the way up. We also noticed how happy everyone in the restaurant seemed, it wasn't your normal dining atmosphere it was a bunch of people who obviously enjoy eating high quality, healthy food in a great restaurant. Upon multiple suggestions on Yelp, we ordered the Carrot cake to-go, and took it home with our leftovers. If you are looking for a high quality vegan restaurant, with amazing service look no further, we're already planning our next trip out to Clarksville!
(5)Jill M.
My husband and I really enjoy Great Sage as a special occasions place. We live 35+ minutes away, but we enjoy being able to order everything on the menu without substituting or leaving things off. Overall, our experience is always solid. And, after last last, I'd even say, never great--always good. Although, I would have given 3.5 stars if that was an option. Last nights order was overall, very salty. No need to over salt, when the other flavors in the food are good! Leave that to the diners at the table! We had: White bean soup: Nice flavors, night pieces of carrots/celery/beans. Salty! Crabby Pretzel: Well flavored hearts of palm stuffed bread. Had the order arrived to the table quicker, the Daiya cheese would have likely presented more gooey, than hard/baked. Pretzel dough was good--more like bread than soft pretzel. Pistachio and Peppercorn Tempeh: sauce, mushrooms, greens and spaghetti squash were very good--could have been a meal on their own. Tempeh crust was too dry--distracted from the actual tempeh. Dish overall was very salty Adult Mac N Cheese: excellent creaminess and complex flavors with the peppers and greens. Breadcrumb topping was excellent. A little too light on the pasta because of the density of the sauce, but the best item we ordered. Carrot Cake: icing was better than the cake, but didn't quite get that traditional cream cheese flavor--more of a traditional white icing. Cake was a bit dry, and crumbly, but the flavor and walnuts were good. Service is always good/friendly, and food comes out very fast. Maybe even too fast, not allowing for much of a transition between courses. We'll be back for the pot roast in the winter. But, I'd love to see the salt dialed back a bit!
(3)Elissa F.
I've known about Great Sage for a long time but, since we live in DC, we had never gotten around to making the trek to Clarksville. Well, we finally did last night and now I am kicking myself that we waited so long! Our meal was absolutely fantastic from start to finish. We shared the artichoke spinach dip. I had the "adult" mac and cheese and my husband had the daily special. Let me just say that the mac n cheese is the best I've had in my life (and that includes the kind with "real" cheese). When you eat something like that, you know that there is no reason whatsoever to eat animal-derived cheese. None. We shared the chocolate lava cake with vanilla ice cream for dessert. WOW. Just delicious!! We also spent some time shopping at Roots market next door, and picked up all kinds of interesting things, including Beyond Meat (the new vegan "chicken" that fooled New York Times food columnist Mark Bittman into thinking he was eating the real thing). The whole experience makes for a fun outing from DC. I just wish Great Sage would open a branch in Washington - I'm sure it would be packed every night.
(5)Brooke T.
Let me preface this by saying, I am not a vegan, I love meat, chicken, pork, beef, pork wrapped beef... you get the idea. So enter Great Sage, an organic vegan restaurant, ugh huh? I have to admit I was a bit skeptical. Can anyone really enjoy a meal without meat? I must admit I was pleasantly surprised. I would have never gone to this place had my friend not be trying a vegan challenge. Appetizers started with a pretzel and three types of dipping sauces...hmm not bad. Next, for dinner, udon noodles, veggies with tofu. I must say that the taste was great, the veggies were seasoned nice, and the tofu wasn't that bad. An after dinner latte with soy milk sealed the deal. Honestly, I enjoyed my experience and I think that I would go back to try something new.
(4)Sweet D.
We came on a weeknight with a party of five. We didn't make a reservation and ended up having to wait 30-45 minutes for a table. The food was okay. The spinach and artichoke dip was very good. The hearts of palm 'crab' tacos were eh. The three women got the grilled veg provencal. While healthy, the presentation was kind of lacking and it was a bit boring. The grandma in the group actually hated it. When we told the waitress that our grandmother didn't like her food (and she obviously hadn't eaten hardly any of it), the waitress just ignored us. That frustrated me a lot more than the so-so food. The guys both got the lentil burger. My husband had gotten this in the past and thought it was great, but the night we came here with additional family members, it was rather disappointing. It was undercooked, so mushy, and there was not enough aoili on it. One thing that I found disappointing about Great Sage is the lack of whole grain options (for the mac n cheese noodles, lentil burger bun, etc.). Don't get the cornbread here - it was very dry and flavorless. The carrot cake was very good though.
(3)Valerie N.
I went vegan in 2009. Lucky for me, Great Sage went vegan soon thereafter. I only started going to Great Sage when it went vegan in 2010. There is still honey in their chai, but don't even get me started on the honey debate in the vegan community. Great Sage does several things well. Their incredible vegan dishes run the gamut from salads to comfort foods and desserts. Their menu changes constantly, and sometimes I wish it wouldn't, because I'm always longing for the dishes that used to be on the menu. When I first started going, they made this phenomenal "chicken" salad sandwich that was big enough to share, but so good that I never wanted to share it. I'm still waiting for that to return to their menu. They also had this great salad for a long time that had perfectly marinated tofu and this delicious homemade cilantro-lime dressing. And the Seitan Au Poivre for dinner was surprisingly flavorful and hearty. At dinner, you cannot go wrong with the Adult Mac and Cheese. It has tons of vegetables and a little spice to give it a nice kick. Treat yourself with the incomparable chocolate lava cake with a scoop of the coconut milk ice cream for dessert. It's so big that you will *have* to share it, even if you don't want to. Great Sage is great for lunch, brunch or dinner. You can always ask to sample the day's soups, and, if you ask, they will bring you complimentary bread to tide you over until your meal comes. The Mediterranean Hummus Plate is also a great appetizer to share to take the edge off your hunger. The things Great Sage does less impressively are the fancy coffee drinks. Their service is also usually impossibly slow. They're incredibly nice, but a meal there can take forever. If you're in a hurry, I suggest sitting at the bar instead of getting a table.
(4)Mike V.
Am I really giving a vegan/raw place five stars!?!?! And No. this was not to get the Carrot Top Badge. This place has really upped the ante since my last visit. new chef? new menu? who cares! it's amazing. and it's not just the food (best artichoke spinach dip i've ever had...how they do this without real cheese is beyond me) or the dessert (their signature carrot cake is ridiculous) or the coffee (chai tea latte with coconut milk since it's vegan....DEAR LORD, BEST CHAI EVER.) It's the whole package. and the service was solid. not quick, but who's in a rush when the food is this good.
(5)Lori C.
As a foodie, I was ecstatic to have found this place. My cousin's boyfriend was celebrating his birthday, and we chose this place as he is vegan, and the rest of us eat organic only food. We went in on Thursday afternoon and could not wait to try some of the "delicious" meals on their menu. We immediately recognized that it is an "elite" restaurant, which we love. It was truly shocking when we realized that their level of customer service was sub par. The food was excellent, and that gets them one star. So sorry, but the excellent food was buried by the rude server's attitude. She came over to our table as if she was forced to do so. Am not sure if she did not know the menu, but she was very impatient, and did not seem to care that we noticed. We truly wanted to give a better rating. It's easier to bypass food that's ok when the service is good; just can't be the other way around. Customers remember the service more than anything else; it's part of what we pay for when we choose to dine with you. Will never, ever go back!
(1)N S.
Big fan of Great Sage here! I recently had the seitan bourguignon as I was a HUGE fan of the tempeh bourguignon. While the sauce was tasty, one bite, and one cut into the seitan, I completely lost my appetite. I realize after viewing the menu online that the seitan was marinated in espresso and red wine; however the similar look to meat was completely off-putting to me, in particular the red insides - ew. I have been vegetarian for 22 years; and I do and have never eaten "mock meats." I appreciate when your menu states things like "tempeh bacon" because that tells me to stay away from it. While this issue may not have to do with flavor, the shear look was enough to cause me to not eat anymore, so I basically spent $20 to eat a few peas and some mushrooms (I do not eat potatoes). Now that I sound like the kind of vegetarian I make fun of, and will probably not live this review down amongst my many Yelp amigos (well, mainly Sahar), I hope that you will consider going back to the tempeh, and possibly giving me a small gift card for my next visit. Once again, I really enjoy your establishment and feel quite lucky to have you in MD as there is nothing else like you guys in the DMV.
(5)Charlene K.
Go. Just go. Great Sage is amazing for any meal, but it holds a special place in my heart for brunch. I ordered the vanilla cranberry pancakes the last time I was here: they were HUGE and delicious and I left the restaurant wobbling, happy, and delirious in carb-induced bliss. Yay for vegan cocktails too!
(5)Wayne L.
Portlandia come to central Maryland. The food, the way patrons were dressed, and the snippets of conversation I overheard all reminded me of the show. The food was just okay though. The spinach artichoke dip starter was very good. Tasted very fresh and not too heavy on the cheese. Entrees were just okay though. Squash and bean burger was nothing special. The red lentil Indian curry could have been better. It wasn't very hot when served.
(3)Katie S.
This place is a hit or miss. I first ate here years ago - the food was nice, but the service was painfully, horrendously slow. Just went back last week, but carried out. Got the Winter Harvest Burger and Vegetable Pot Pie. Burger - first of all, charging $12 for a veggie burger and throwing a handful of kettle chips on the side is a big pet-peeve of mine. If i am paying $12, i want a side you actually made...So, after asking my options i went with a side of Cole Slaw. It was the best part of the whole meal!! Delicious! The burger was pretty tasteless and fell apart as soon as i bit in. Pot Pie - Oh, this looked so good in the car on the way home. I mean mouth-watering! But as we know from looking at food on TV (which is actually inedible products made to look like delicious food) looks can be deceiving. The filling was good, but the "crispy, puff pastry" top was tougher than shoe leather. So hard, it was inedible (perfect for TV, i guess!). I did call them and tell them about it and they gave me a credit for that dish (also $12). SILVER LINING: Looks like their customer service has improved...i will eat in next time to get a real feel for how things are today...
(3)Mike R.
Great place, and a greater DC area treasure. I've been for dinner three times and am anxious to try a brunch there. Their soups are incredible. One small note: This page says they take reservations, but that's not true for most of their visitors. They'll only accept reservations if you have a large party (5 or more people). For most of us looking for reservations for 2 or 4 people it's not possible to get a reservation, and each time I've been there has been a 30 minute wait for a table. Considering it's a hike to get there from DC, waiting an additional 30 minutes has frustrated the guests I've brought.
(5)Madeline A.
*confused* WHY IS THIS PLACE NOT RATED 5 STARS?! Ahh so good! :) My friends (non-vegan and vegan) are IN LOVE with Great Sage. We've come here for lunch and dinner numerous times and always try something new (or, almost always). +The service is absolutely wonderful. All of our servers have been incredibly friendly and non-pretentious. +The atmosphere is fantastic -- not too loud, clean, sophisticated, mellow lighting, lots of big windows, interesting art displayed... +The food is outstanding. Favorites include Artichoke Spinach Dip, Black Bean & Roasted Corn Quesadilla, Thai Chicken Salad, Raw Seaweed Salad, Club Sandwich, Winter Burger and Chocolate Lava Cake!!! This is our favorite restaurant in the Baltimore area, by far.
(5)Liane R.
The food is unbeatable. I've had some of the best meals of my life here (menus change each season, but my favorites include red lentil curry, pumpkin burgers, raw spring rolls, and of course their carrot cake). Love that they have new specials each week, and their half-priced wine Thursdays (with live music) is a pretty sweet deal. We've had some wonky service in the past (when we started visiting about a year ago), but recently the wait staff have been perfectly attentive. Either way, that's not that big of a deal to me because as I said before, THE FOOD IS UNBEATABLE. "Go, just go!"
(5)Noel O.
On another road trip with Lauren C, she wanted to share this place with me. In my head I had a little hole-in-the-wall restaurant filled with rasta hat-wearing folks and incense burning throughout. Granted, I've spend a couple of years in California, so I don't really have any issue with such a place, this was just the image I had in my head before getting there. We arrived to the parking lot shared by Great Sage and a handful of other businesses right after the lunch hour, so we decided to putz around until we actually had an appetite. The Roots Organic Market and Nest Gift Shop are both worth checking out while you're here. At Roots I just "needed" some amazing vegan oatmeal pie-type cookies (since they're vegan, they're good for you right?) And at Nest I picked up a picture book of all these animals located at various animal sanctuaries in the region. I mention all this because I wasn't expecting to buy anything, but once you get to neat store like these, there's no reason why you wouldn't find something you love. As for Great Sage, the mood as you walk into the place is much more polished than I expected. There was a woman to greet you at the door in a plain, black uniform, and the bar/dessert counter immediately caught your eye. The restaurant itself isn't very large, but they do have a big enough patio outside that patrons can enjoy during the warmer months. Because I had a cold, I decided to start with a cup of the red Thai curry soup, which had a healthy kick and put me right at ease. Then I nibbled on some spring rolls, which was essentially shredded veggies wrapped in rice paper and a delicious peanut dipping sauce. Because my friend and I had been "good" so far, we both got dessert. I had the fudgey chocolately richness that was their chocolate cake. Now remember, everything here is vegan, and as a non-vegan I figured I was going to be disappointed. No at all! Must eat more cake! While even for someone who likes to travel/drive a fair bit for adventures in and around DC, I was worried that it'd take forever to get to Clarksville, which is just past Germantown. Where Clarksville is located, it's in Howard County between 270 and 95, north of Columbia. I say all this because, while not far from the Inter-county connector, it's not exactly near the major highways. Bring your GPS, but come expecting to be delighted. This a great weekend afternoon thing to do!
(4)Maggie M.
Full disclosure: I'm not vegan, not even vegetarian. Not even close. But this place is great. Unpretentious and delicious. The German potato salad is the best I've ever eaten. Highly recommend the sausage entree. The sides are all very good. Excellent sauerkraut. The Thai chicken salad was also great. Draft beer was awesome, especially with happy hour price. I'll be back! Our server was great and held my hand as I experienced my first vegan meal.
(5)Steven Y.
Great Sage provides delicious, gourmet vegan food at a reasonable, if upscale price. I've had the adult mac and cheese, seitan au poivre, artichoke dip, and crabcake hollandaise, and all have been absolutely delicious. The desserts are just as creative and amazing -- their cinnamon bun with cream cheese ice cream is one of the best things I've ever tasted. I'm cautious about recommending vegan eats to omnivores, but I don't hesitate to say that anyone can enjoy the delicious food at Great Sage.
(5)Jessica A.
I've seen a few concerns about the service in previous reviews, but I have never had a problem. They are always super sweet, personable and attentive. If you don't like vegetarian food at all, you should probably pass. Don't come in here and order chili or a burger expecting it to taste cow-laden. It's not meat; it will never be meat, and it isn't SUPPOSED to taste like meat. That doesn't make it a poor substitute for meat, it just makes it a different option. Where the food is concerned - it's never been less than good, but some seasonal offerings have been excellent vs. just good. They have a smoothie here with Raw cacao, almond milk, banana and agave called a Funky Monkey that is delish. The cheesy artichoke spinach dip with toasted crostini is very tasty and was a hit with my non-vegetarian friends. I always get the raw spring rolls and / or raw california roll when I come here. If you want some raw yummies and are sick of salad, this does the trick... but the salads here are fabulous too. The mediterranean hummus plate has some great flavors - the marinated onions are really good and and hummus is fresh with warm naan bread... mmmm Didn't Like - Raw seaweed salad (don't remember why) or soft pretzel combo... the pretzels are dry and the sauces aren't very good. It isn't worth the price. The decor is nice; kind of earthy, ethnic and natural - it's a nice date spot if you're taking out a vegetarian or just want a healthy change of pace. Not to get all vegany, but I would love to see some more exotic offerings using fresh young coconut rather than so much soy... think Pure Food & Wine in NYC. I know Great Sage is more like a casual vegan cafe than 5 star vegan cuisine, but I would love to see at least a few offerings like this and would be willing to pay the premium price.
(3)Maria P.
I met my old roommate from college here for a leisurely lunch mainly because of the convenient location to both our parents' homes and our schedules. I have never been a fan of vegan places mainly because I love a good bloody filet mignon and cheese and food that is rich and bad for you! However I was impressed by the seaweed noodle salad I ordered. It was flavorful and so healthy that I felt light and energized not weighed down or so full I could barely move. Our server Scott was really friendly but mellow and didn't kick us out when we camped out at the table post paying for the check. That's what happens when the restaurant is not full and friends want to catch up. I also ordered the soft pretzel with nacho 'cheese', homemade mustard and homemade hummus. I honestly prefer the generic Auntie Anne's or Wetzel's but the dips made the rather cardboard like bread easier to digest. Overall I'd say it's great to have a vegan/healthy restaurant thrive in Howard County. I felt like I was in LA and was waiting for someone to start doing yoga poses in the middle of the restaurant.
(3)George G.
I actually have not been able to eat there.My wife went and loved it, she has tried to bring me there. Last night we went and there was a two hour wait,so we left . I think the restaurant needs to change its reservation policy to allow small groups to make reservation.(right now its five or above). I won't try again, sorry no MD restaurant is worth that, pretentious really. By the way,if this happens to you, we went a block away and had a wonderful meal at El Azteca . Its not vegan, but all apps and entrees we had were delish and unique.
(2)Crystal P.
I want to love Great Sage. Honestly. But after 3 visits, we left each time with a sense of disappointment and a much lighter wallet. The first time was the service, the next two was the food. Just very bland. At this point we've had almost half the menu and nothing really was overly great. The quinoa burger was dry and boring ( even our server said she isn't a fan of that dish), the curry was bland, the quesadilla was as well. We have had 4 salads, which were good, but nothing over the top. The beet ravioli was nice, but small ( as it should be being a small plate, but again, it's not going to fill you up). Being that vegan fare is what we gravitate towards, and knowing going in that sadly, it's expensive to eat healthy, we really wanted this to be our go to place when we were in the area, but I don't think we can justify the cost for the experience.
(3)Ken Y.
This spot is definitely one of the best vegan restaurants in the entire area. Great food and service, a nice location away from the city, a variety of options and some pretty bangin' desserts.
(4)Jan B.
Ok, I am not a vegan, but went here with 4 fellow omnivores because it was a convenient midpoint between DC and Baltimore. The food was good. As I think is a must for good vegan meals, they were creative and the items we tried were flavorful. Made me think I was eating actual chicken at one point. The service, however, was just bad. The staff definitely played on my stereotypes of a crunchy, drum circle, no-rush-for-anything Berkeley vegan. Our waiter was slow, forgot stuff and cheerfully ignored us while chatting with other staff and friends ( restaurant regulars?). It was 7:30 on a Sunday evening when we arrived and we all had about a 40 minute drive to our respective homes. We didn't get back until well after 10 because of the sloooow service. It is out of the way for me, so I probably won't ever be back. I would give them another shot or just get takeout if I lived in the area.
(2)Chantel E.
One of my favorite vegan restaurants! I've been here twice. The quesidillas are my favorite. I've had this for an appetizer twice. The first time I went I had the adult mac n cheese. It was so yummy and creamy, you would have thought it had dairy. The 2nd time I went I had the "crab" cake which was a special for the evening. I was very skeptical. My first thought was how and they hell are they going to make a vegan crab cake? So I asked the waitress and she told me that they used heart of palm and the traditional seasonings used to make a crab cake. When I say this crab cake blew my mind, I mean it. It was so yummy and tasted like the real thing. I was so impressed. I bet if you put this in front of someone and told them it was a crab cake, they probably wouldn't 2nd guess if it was crab or not. I sure didn't. Overall I love this place, I would be a full on vegan if I could eat a Great Sage everyday :)
(5)Lizzie P.
Totally kick-A restaurant! I've come here several times for brunch & dinner over the years and it never disappoints. Courteous service, excellent vegan food and wonderful cocktails. Love the reuben & biscuits and gravy. Worth the drive from DC & Baltimore, come ear here if u like affordable & groovy vegan eats.
(5)Lola S.
Decided to try this out. We had a great server...he was attentive and polite. The food was bland and tasteless. I was very disappointed considering our tab came to $63 for two of us. We have paid double at other restaurants as we value quality versus quantity. We had the antichoke spinach dip which was decent. My hubby had a pesto with pasta and mushrooms(sad). I had a dish which featured seitan chunks with plantains with corn and lima beans. The seitan tasted like tires....it was beyond poor.The food was so poor that we couldn't wait to get out of there. I did not bother to try the popular carrot cake...I had enough. I have had ,tried vegan restaurants before but nothing like this. No thank you. If you really want to try some tasty vegan food. Try Everlasting Life in Upper Marlboro....it will rock your world.
(1)Mitzie R.
I can't believe my luck in finding Great Sage. We live in Michigan but visit the D.C. area frequently to see our families. After trying all the "yelped" vegan/vegetarian restaurants in the immediate area we became tired of being limited to very few items on the usual ethnic menus. So, we ventured out to Clarksville and discovered this gem. Now we have a destination restaurant whenever we visit the greater D.C. area. The food is absolutely wonderful, and to think that I can eat everything on the menu! My only problem is that they change the menu each season and I'm not in town often enough to try everything. Many times I take a muffin or cookie for the flight back to Michigan since the BWI airport lacks any edible food for me. Thank you Great Sage for being there!
(5)Alexander C.
Great Sage serves up a wonderful variety of seasonal vegan options, ranging from General Tsos tofu to Tostadas and raw dishes. They're nestled inside the Conscious Corner market, alongside Roots (a grocery store), Nest (a cozy store of green-friendly products) and Bark (a store for pet foods and other related items). They have a marvelous staff who is always helpful and friendly. If you don't know what to get, they can help you pick. There's always specials that are worth trying if you've experienced all the fare on the menu. I shouldn't forget to mention their desserts. The raw moose is great and their signature carrot cake is to die for. The only drawback for me is this place is quite a hike from my location in Arlington, VA, but I make the trek every so often and put a grocery shopping run in with it to make the drive a bit more worthwhile.
(5)Kat K.
The best vegan restaurant - maybe even just the best restaurant - I've ever been to. Their spinach and artichoke dip is to die for.
(5)Lisa P.
Though this place is expensive, it is well worth every penny! Excellent spinach artichoke dip, excellent adult mac and cheese, excellent cornbread, and if you go fro brunch, excellent biscuits and creamed chipped seitan. Very relaxing, yet still upscale atmosphere. I could eat here every day!
(5)Katie H.
WOW OH WOW is this food good. I'm not vegetarian OR vegan, but this place... wow wow. If I could make food like this, I would be. Try the pumpkin enchiladas.
(5)Tricia V.
Being a vegetarian in DC, I was pretty excited when I heard about Great Sage. My husband and I planned an entire day out in Maryland to culminate with a meal at Great Sage on a recent Saturday night. Given the mostly positive reviews, I was unpleasantly surprised when we had one of our worst meals in recent memory. I will say this, the restaurant is nice-looking and comfortable, and the service was attentive and efficient. Our experience wasn't all that bad, aside from the fact that the food was awful. We had the pea samosas, the Santa Fe salad, the tempeh bourguinon, and the veggie burger. I ate the salad first. It looked great and had a nice mix of beans and veggies, and exactly four small cubes of tofu. It tasted like the salad was dressed only in lemon juice. While it completely lacked balance, I like the taste of lemon, so I was willing to overlook this miscue. Next came the pea samosas. They were served with three dipping sauces, one of which was super salty, another didn't have much flavor, and the third looked and tasted like pear butter. The samosa filling wasn't pureed like traditional samosas, it looked like shredded peas. Since it wasn't cohesive, everything fell out when took my first bite. These were hard to eat and kind of bland, but I was excited for our entrees, so I overlooked this too. I started with the tempeh, which was in a mushroom, carrot, and pea gravy over mashed potatoes. I am usually weary of ordering tempeh since it can often be dry, but I figured if it was doused in an umami-rich mushroom sauce it couldn't possibly be bad. Wrong. It had no flavor whatsoever. And for some reason there were really hard cubes of parsnips (or possibly turnips) mixed in with the mashed potatoes, creating a strange texture. After picking the hard cubes of parsnips out of the potatoes and pulling all the tempeh off the gravy, I had a passable dish of mashed potatoes and gravy. My husband started on the veggie burger, which was even worse. It was a soft mound of tastelessness. The honey mustard that came on the side was pretty good, but that really shouldn't be the driving force of a meal. We ate the bun with the mustard and left everything else. I understand one bad review among many good reviews will probably not deter you from going to Great Sage. But please temper your expectations because the food is not good. On the plus side, the Roots Market next door has tons of delicious samples of dips and snacks, which I highly recommend if you are unsatisfied with your meal.
(2)Angela R.
My favorite veggie friendly place in Maryland! The food and drinks are always fantastic. The atmosphere is wonderful. I've never had one not-so-great experience and I've been here quite a few times! :o) Make sure to try the warm lava cake or their carrot cake! Absolutely amazing. On sundays they host a brunch which has some DELICIOUS items, usually some sort of quiche and pancakes. YUM! Really nice to have Roots and Nest near by!
(5)Ben B.
I really enjoyed the quality of the food ingredients, and the interior design of the restaurant. I would definitely go back. I got RAW LEK SEN MEE with warm portobello. It tasted actually very good. For photos and full review: awesomeveganblog.com/201…
(4)Angela U.
I happened upon this awesome little spot after a pedicure at Living Dolls in Highland (see review). Let me start by saying I'm not a vegetarian but I like what I like and that happens to include vegetarian cuisine. The first time I came here, I carried out the Black Bean Quesadillas. FAB-U-LOUS! My mother in law isn't a veg either, and she and I shared them and we were in heaven. The "sour cream" was a bit runnier and thinner than normal sour cream, but the taste was spot on. The second time I came here, I carried out again-- pumpkin soup and a salad, I think. Again, food was fabulous. The third time, I brought my mother in law and my 20 month old son. She and I both got the tempeh reuben which was OUT OF THIS WORLD. No, seriously. I hate hate hate the texture of corned beef, but love the flavor, so this definitely did it for me. VERY flavorful. The coleslaw was awesome, too. My son wasn't crazy about his "grilled chicken" and broccoli, but he's super picky anyway. He WAS very well behaved, though, and we've noticed he prefers calm eating atmospheres to anything noisy, so this was a good fit for us. My only complaints are 1. they're a bit pricey, but it's specialty food, so I sort of get it. 2. The waiter wasn't very friendly.. he did what he needed to do and all, but he didn't smile or acknowledge my son or engage us in any way, which left me feeling a bit sour. Other than that, five star food and atmosphere all around.
(4)Katy E.
I love Great Sage! The atmosphere is great, the people are nice, and the food is amazing! Being gluten free AND vegan...it's difficult for me to go out to eat. Great Sage has plenty of options, and I have been more than satisfied with everything I've tried. I take my non-veg friends along and they love it as well. The carrot cake is amazing!
(5)Toni F.
I love that there's a full service vegan restaurant in the area. The space is relaxed and inviting, and when the weather's nice you can sit outside on a small patio under cheerful orange umbrellas. The food here is beautifully prepared, especially salads, which arrive to your table like works of art. The Santa Fe salad is a southwestern medley of black beans, corn, marinated tofu, and cumin scented dressing. I order this without the tortilla strips that normally garnish the top (they always seem slightly stale). The California Detox is another favorite, a refreshing composition of spinach, spiralized beets, sunflower seeds, almonds, red pepper and cucumber. I feel totally re-energized after eating it! Spinach artichoke dip is heavy on the artichokes (yay!) and the garlicky savory dip was omnivore approved by my dining companions, who said they never would have known it was vegan. Although a little pricey at $7, a mango lassi is the best way to finish the meal, rather than the desserts. They've always seemed kind of lackluster, though they're pretty (I'm talking to you, peach Napoleon).
(4)Mark E.
Goodness, gracious - Great Balls of Sage! Goodness, gracious - Great Balls of Sage! Wonderful first-time experience at Great Sage in Clarksville, MD. I am a meat-and-potatoes guy through and through, and approached this venture into healthful eating with a very healthy amount of trepidation and foreboding. I was pleasantly surprised - I'll say shocked to find the food completely outstanding - both my wife's Curried Lentils Indian Style and my Quinoa with Root Vegetables. Service by an engaging and knowledgeable waiter was top notch - we split the pineapple cobbler for dessert than that was great as well. I did notice that by our 7:30 departure, it was standing room only with a line out the door. Despite this, we were under no pressure to give up our table as we experience at so many restaurants. Prices were Howard County high-normal, but not excessive. Most importantly, we had every confidence that the kitchen was not sneaking extra butter and salt into the food just to improve apparent palatability to those like me with simple, pedestrian and uncultured taste buds. Kudos to Great Sage! We definitely will be back.
(4)Mari C.
This is hands down the best vegan restaurant in the Baltimore/dc area. The restaurant has great ambiance, the staff is fast and professional and the food is to die for. It's about 20 minutes away and I will definitely be taking the drive at least once mnth. It's so nice to go to a place where you don't need to 'veganize' anything. The food is gorgeous too....something I sometimes miss at Vegan restaurants is that the food can be and looks very simple...it hardly seems like a special occasion. At great sage the food is not only delicious but it looks great too!
(5)Rachel F.
I've only recently became vegan and have been looking for a restaurant I can actually eat more than a few menu items. I've known about Great Sage for a long time but never thought about visiting until now! The food was fantastic and large portions. The quinoa burger was delicious and their potatoes/fries were SO GOOD. I'll definately be going back again, but not for the service as that left a little to be desired. The sangria on the other hand - YUMMY!
(4)Mehmed M.
Pure aces. Eaten here a handful of times and have always tried something new. Never anything I haven't really enjoyed. Kitchen staff does a tremendous job and the wait staff is always very knowledgeable, attentive, and friendly.
(5)Stuart T.
Great Sage is a don't miss place for vegan food. Likely your non-vegan friends and family will enjoy the experience as well.
(4)Christina C.
Went here on Sunday for brunch/lunch with a friend. I'm not a vegetarian, but do enjoy vegetable-only meals sometimes. I had the red pepper soup and spinach apple salad - both were delicious. My friend had the vegetable wrap and really enjoyed it. The ambiance is nice here. Next time I'm in Columbia, I'll definitely be back.
(4)Steven K.
I am a big fan of the The Great Sage and have been a customer on almost a weekly basis for over a year. I started going there as I transitioned to a plant based diet. I am very thankful there is a restaurant I can go to and have anything I want from the menu. The service is always very good. The servers are always kind and the management is super accommodating. Just as people in general are different the style of service can vary from server to server; however, I've never had bad service. I don't recall ever having to wait for food. The meals have always come out as ordered in a timely manner. The food quality is always great. In my time going there I've only sent one item back. The presentation is always appealing, The menus are seasonal; so, you don't get burnt out. With that said be warned, you may fall in love with an item that doesn't traverse the seasonal menu change! There is currently a hearts of palm "crab cake" that will knock you off your feet. I've lived in Maryland all my life and will tell you it is the best "crab cake" I've ever had. I am a big fan of breakfast food in general and really liked the biscuits and "sausage" gravy, the dish actually turned me on to mushrooms. That is a bid deal for me since I used to hate mushrooms! I was very disappointed to see it go away from the brunch menu and hope it comes back. At the time of this writing Sunday brunch always features a pancake special and quiche which are hard to choose from. I can't forget to mention desert! OMG, the deserts are amazing. They always have a different ice cream to try or different special. The deserts are always great. There is usually a special for the weekend that is well thought and creative. The facility itself is comfortable, clean and well decorated. The bathroom is always clean (that's a big deal for me).
(5)Stacie H.
I am in love with this place. The staff is friendly the menu is exciting and even the drinks are to die for. I get excited whenever I go!
(5)Deidra P.
A meat-eating friend and I went to Great Sage this past weekend. We were planning our next visit before we'd even finished dinner! My pal NEVER eats his entire meal, so I was shocked that he cleared his plate of bbq shaved seitan, mashed potatoes, and spinach. He enjoyed the texture and flavor of the seitan, which means I only got one forkful from his plate. I had the tomatoes, caramelized onions and creamed spinach wrapped in phyllo....it was tasty. I've had rather dry cupcakes from another vegan spot, so I was leery about trying dessert but ZOMG the carrot cake was super moist and delicious. I will definitely be a repeat customer.
(5)A B.
Absolutely delicious! I love going out to eat and knowing I can order anything on the menu, even wines ( I had a delicious organic wine). Everything is fresh and vegan. Even my meat loving husband has eaten here twice with me and loved it. If you aren't vegan or vegetarian don't be shy to go here, it would be a big mistake!!
(5)Stephanie D.
Great vegan restaurant! I go here all of the time. Make sure to order the smoothies and juices. It's great to have all of these options close by.
(5)Tiffani N.
They lose a point for their service. We walked in and they looked at us like we had two heads. I guess because we didn't fit in with that kind of crowd. *smirks* Anyway, it took forever for anyone to give us any attention, even though they were closing in an hour. Their so-called Sangria tasted like carbonated kool-aid with pieces of strawberries floating around. I was not like any sangria I've ever had so I traded it for the Viognier, and it wasn't much better. The worst part of the meal was the Adult Mac & Cheese. I actually was sick from it for two days. I'm not sure if they didn't bake it enough but the "cheese" was soupy and the rigatoni and veggies were hard, not in an al dente way either. My date's Great Sage Chili and Brown Rice didn't look appetizing. The cornbread looked like a brick. But he said it was pretty good. He recommended the Famous Carrot Cake. Now, I'll admit that was delicious but it came out cold, like it was right out of the refrigerator. I'm not a fan of cold cake. After I got home and it had been out a few hours, it tasted wonderful. Don't think I'll waste gas driving out to Clarksville for a mediocre Vegan meal again. Not impressed.
(2)Dil M.
I've been to Great Sage many times in the 3 year's I've lived in the area and I've slowly watched it go from decent, to mediocre, to disappointing. Though my initial trip to GS left me feeling pretty satisfied that I had a viable "nice" dinner option, subsequent trips for brunch, lunch and dinner, though, turned into a cavalcade of disappointment, particularly after they transitioned to an all-vegan menu. I've had most things on their menu, the artichoke dip is decent as is the hummus plate (but that's just hummus), the spring rolls and california rolls taste just like a bunch of bland vegetables rolled in rice paper. Entrees have left me, overall, underwhelmed. The chili is dependable, but unexciting, the risotto and 'alfredo' linguini are, on a good day, bland. The sesame-encrusted tofu is ambitious but fails on almost every level because they literally do nothing with it except roll it in sesame seeds. I would be embarassed if I took one of my carnivorous friends here and ordered it, it is the epitome of every stupid stereotype about vegetarian cuisine: a block of bland, mushy plant protein rolled in seeds and served with seaweed and miso paste to make it mildly appetizing. That's probably my biggest problem with Great Sage: I became a vegetarian only a year or so ago, and while I made a choice not to eat meat, I didn't want to sacrifice enjoying a good meal, I still like hearty meals, fat, salt and sugar, there are barely any of those kinds of meals at Great Sage. Most of them are so far down the health-nut/granola rabbit hole they may as well be served by a March Hare and Mad Hatter. My other problem with Great Sage, is for a place that bills itself as all-organic and loca-vore, the veggies are pretty bland. I'm still puzzled as to what exactly I'm paying for when I get the bill. I guess the desserts are pretty good, but I don't think I've ever spent less than $35 for two people on any given meal here. I've spent a fraction of that in other places and had far better meals. If you have open-minded parents or friends, I'm sure they'll enjoy the evening out, but don't expect any converts, or any of them to return to GS on their own accord.
(2)Standards H.
I first went to Great Sage about 3 years ago and the food was good but the service terrible. I'm not sure if they were short staffed or what but our group was there for nearly two hours and could barely get our server to say boo to us. I have since been several times and the service has gotten MUCH better. I usually get the rueben and it is delicious. I have had several types of soup and they have also been quite tasty. They make excellent bloody mary's and had amazing mulled wine last fall. They also have a nice beer and wine selection. I'm far from vegan or even vegetarian but this place is still a treat when I want to pretend:)
(4)Matt M.
Our food was excellent. We tried the 'burger' and the 'Reuben' both which were good, although I liked the Reuben better. We also had the artichoke dip which was very fresh. Our waiter was a bit of a loose leaf and took a long time to serve us. Then he brought the bill before he even served us our meal. The manager made up for it though by giving us free soups. Lastly, we had desserts both of which were good. All in all, I would come back.
(4)Terry S.
So inventive and yummy and I am not vegan, just appreciate well prepared food!!
(4)Joelyne K.
I absolutely love going to Great Sage. It is a bit pricey but absolutely worth every penny. I go only twice a year for my birthday and to have dinner with an old friend of mine. Each time I try a new dish and love it. The staff is really nice and the atmosphere is extremely welcoming.
(5)PJ B.
This place should be the standard for all dining experiences. The chef is most talented - we brought our friend who was very apprehensive about going to a vegan restaurant and she left more than pleased with the fine cuisine. The servers are top notch - while we were waiting for our table I overheard another servers' great service and I said "man, i hope we get her," we ended up with another server and he was on point. Further, the servers seems sincere and kind - not cynical or tip hungry. They are clearly passionate about working at such a unique and quality establishment. And, the manager and other staff was super attentive without being overbearing. We live 30 minutes from this place, and it is well worth the drive.
(5)Julaine N.
I came to Great Sage with high expectations, and they certainly met them. The atmosphere is warm and relaxing inside. They also offer patio seating outside. There were so many great options on the lunch menu, but I decided to try something I didn't usually make it home. I am so glad I did! The pumpkin and black bean enchiladas are delicious! What a wonderful experience! I can't wait to return and try more items on the menu!
(5)Kathleen K.
Took kids to eat there - didn't tell them it was vegan. Everyone loved everything they ate! They want to go back. So do I. Really delicious food and wonderful service. Note that the desserts we consistently like are the ones on the counter NOT the ones on the menu. You can just go pick one up and take it back to the table and they'll put it on your tab. The german pretzal with dips (appetizer) is a must try. They bake them fresh at the restaurant and they are delicious. Large portions so next time we'll probably share. Oh, and their "ranch" dressing is amazing! Really though, everything is great. Give it a shot!
(4)Lauren K.
I'm so glad we decided to make the trip out to Maryland from northern VA for dinner! I had heard great things about this place and I echo them all! Before dinner, we stopped by the awesome Roots organic market for some groceries and then I got a great dress at Nest. The fact that these are located right next to Great Sage only adds to the wonderfulness. We went on a Saturday night and had about a 15 minute wait. We started with ginger peach green iced tea (meh). I had a side Santa Fe salad, which was GREAT! It was so perfect and I'm still thinking about it! For my entree, I had the general tso's tofu on veggie fried rice. It was perfectly sweet and spicy. My date started with the side seaweed salad (it was an enormous portion), followed by the coconut curry noodles with tempeh and a side of cornbread. We had no room at all left for dessert, so I can't attest to that, but we will definitely be back here! I need to try the mango lassi!
(4)Jennifer K.
This vegan restaurant had everything I could have asked for and more! Ginger peach iced tea, sweet potato crusted "chicken" sandwich, and apple cobbler for dessert. Nice serving sizes and lots of options! Would definitely try this place again for happy hour and dinner!
(5)Jerry F.
The food here is delicious!! I had the Cajun Etouffe. I will definitely come back. The only improvement could be slightly lower prices for some of the appetizers. The "giant" bavarian pretzel could be a little more giant as well - I was imaging something like a soft pretzel sized thing and it came out about 3 inches wide :-) Overall I was really impressed!
(4)ivonna s.
I have only had the pleasure of eating here once, mainly because it takes me a little over an hour to get to Clarksville, Maryland from my house, but it is definitely on my list of places to get back to in the near future. The restaurant is beautiful and as soon as you enter you are greeted warmly. Even the bar tender smiled at me when I walked in. The restaurant was full of people eating, smiling and chatting. There was really just a wonderful vibe going on in there. The dish I order was amazing; it was vegan, gluten free and raw. Honestly I couldn't have asked for a healthier entree. Ordered the raw "Pasta" primavera and it was delicious. It was a gluten free dish so the "pasta" was made from thinly sliced strips of zucchini. The zucchini pasta was cover with a raw sundried tomato sauce with marinated green beans, shiitake mushrooms, topped with a cashew "parmesan" cheese and served with a piece of raw garlic flax bread (that they make in house). My friend ordered the Great Sage chili and brown rice and it was amazing also (I know because I tasted it). The portion sizes were pretty good. I didn't have any leftovers but I usually never do (I'm greedy). They also have a full bar with organic wines, and I think they even have organic gin, and I will be trying that next time I go. Overall I had a very good experience at Great Sage and I would definitely recommend the food to anyone vegan or not.
(4)James T.
Great Vegan cuisine and I love their bar!
(5)Becca S.
Not impressed. Horrible service and less than impressive food. I was excited to try this place but I won't be going back.
(1)ella m.
We love Great Sage. It's the only place I know anywhere near us that offers organic, 100% vegan food. And oh! It's really good. The service is always friendly and no matter when we go- there's always very delicious food on the menu. I love Sunday brunch here, I love light-fare, dinner is always warm and lovely. After your cruelty free, organic meal, you can shop at Nest for Eco-minded gifts (books, recycled housewares, vegan shoes/belts, organic clothes, etc), Roots Market for organic and local produce and Bark for equally awesome items and healthful food (even some vegan) for your fur friend. There's something in the air here- I can arrive a complete grouch and when I leave- I'm a new person and ready for a paddle boat ride at Centennial Park.
(5)Anon J.
I live in Alexandria, and it's probably a good thing -- if Great Sage was closer, I'd never cook and I'd be broke. We only get there a couple times a year, but we haven't hit a menu dud yet. Dishes are inventive, with just enough fusion of tastes to make things interesting. Plenty for omnivores with open minds as well as dedicated vegans. The lava cake alone is worth the drive up (I recommend having the coconut "ice cream" with it!). I hope that if the owners decide to open a second store, they consider NoVA. One small complaint: I had the Vietnamese spring rolls, which were delicious but I had to let them sit a while before eating them. Too COLD! Letting them get a little closer to room temp (or more accurately, a little farther from fridge temp) made them much more enjoyable.
(4)Leah P.
Great Sage, the most popular spot in Clarksville! It's always packed, and I'm fairly positive most of those patrons aren't vegan. We drove all the way from the boonies in Virginia to get to the boonies in Maryland for Great Sage alone, and we've been back two more times. That's nine hours of driving for three meals. It's worth it, though, because in an area so heavily populated (the DMV), completely vegan restaurants are few and far between. So - that being said - if you're going for weekend dinner (or even lunch) call ahead and make a reservation. The restaurant is small and the decor is warm and fun. Drinks are awesome - try the Chocolate Mint Cookie Shake or the Pumpkin Chai (seasonal) shake. They'll also make you a regular vanilla shake out of coconut or soy ice cream. For appetizers, the black bean and roasted corn quesadilla was delicious, my favorite menu item overall. I'm told the california roll is pretty good, too. For dinner, the Adult Mac & Cheese sauce has a great flavor - so cheesy- but admittedly, I pushed most of the veggies around. They were plentiful and crunchy, and I would've preferred them on the side instead of mixed in with the noodles. The paella is tooooo spicy - inedible for the sensitive. The bacon superfood burger was massive and palatable, though don't expect your average veggie burger patty. Try the Specials! There are some amazing ones. Desserts are a must, so save room: the chocolate lava cake is rich, decadent, and definitely worth the calories. I have yet to try the famous carrot cake! Save up before you go - it's not insanely pricey but tends to add up ($10/appetizer, $16/entree, before you add in drinks and dessert...). Think: date night, family in town, birthday... also, parking is pretty awful when it's busy. Before you leave, stop by ROOTS market next door, especially if you're vegan: tons of preprepared vegan foods (including Great Sage desserts), and a little known secret - they sell Cleo's peanut butter cups!
(4)Rebecca H.
It was kinda a hike to get to the Great Sage from were I live (in the city) but my friend heard good things about it and thought we should go because I'm a vegetarian...I'm so glad we did! We started off by getting some really delicious, pepper-y/nutmeg-y wine by the glass. For my entrée I got some Thai-style noodle dish that was definitely 2 portions, at least. It was very good, except my noodles weren't cooked completely so they were a little crunchier than I would've liked, however I still devoured it and was satisfied. Dessert. Oh my god, dessert. If you go, get the Chocolate Lava Cake. Just do it. I'm not lying when I say this was one of the best desserts I've ever had! I was kinda speechless actually. I will go back just for that!
(4)Maile Z.
Great Sage was pretty GREAT. My meat-eating mother went there with her vegan friends, and had a awesome time, so I wanted to check it out, because when meat eaters like vegan food... I mean its something to Yelp about. I had this GREAT cocktail which tasted like a root beer float. I forgot what it was called. Maybe because it was so good. The bartender (who was totally cool) showed me the root beer liquor bottle. That jont was like 90 proof. I highly recommend it, but be warned because its practically an entire dessert. Anyways, I was already having a GREAT time waiting to be seated. My meal was pretty GREAT also. I had the raw tacos, which werent incredible, but I think because I assumed they would be warm/hot when I got them, but I dont know why I thought that because it was raw. But they were more or less delicious, and it came with some parsnip raw rice thing which was, you know, different than rice, but very good. It was quite filling as well. All in all, a great meal, especially because of the drinks. But I was a vegan and a vegetarian for a long time, so Im sort of familiar with that kind of dining. Someone who doesnt like vegetarian food might not want to be at this restaurant. Its also pretty expensive; I feel that the average alternatively opinioned, raw-vegan dieter probably couldnt really afford this place. But its GREAT
(4)K Sera S.
If you're a vegetarian or vegan, this is the place for you. The food is absolutely great, very creative and reasonably priced. Even if you're a carnivore, you will find something you will enjoy here (not just something you'll choke down and not just some kind of salad). Why the lowish rating? Great Sage seems to suffer from the curse of so many vegetarian restaurants. Bad, untrained and unprofessional service. Pasty, pierced and tattooed youth, still bitter about whatever it is Goth and neo-hippie kids are bitter about, do not make for the best waitstaff. Uninformed about dishes, slow to respond...the vibe is that they're doing you a favor by bringing you the food. You know what? Communism failed. You ARE there to serve me. Do it reasonably well, and I will show my genuine gratitude and appreciation by tipping you. Definitely give GS a try--the food is incomparable to any other vegetarian options in the area. But plan for the experience to be a bit slow, possibly even surly.
(3)David K.
Great food. Fresh ingredients and interesting recipes means there is no sacrifice in eating healthier food here.
(5)Emily H.
Love this place! I finally went for the first time, for brunch. It was fabulous. I had the biscuits and creamed spinach, and my boyfriend had the spiced apple pancakes. He is not vegan but loved them. I had a taste, they were very dessert-y and delicious. My biscuits were a little salty but good. They came with sautéed greens, which were delicious, tempeh bacon, and some type of fake egg mixture (which didn't stand out to me, kind of bland). Overall, a pleasant and filling meal. So great to get comfort food in a cute restaurant and also feel good about the source of the food. We checked the other stores that are part of this "conscious corner" and they were very cute and had great products.
(5)Carrie L.
I appreciate Great Sage for what it tries to do. It is a very lovely space with knowledgeable and friendly staff. I've only been here twice, and once was years ago, so I can't speak to that first visit. Their menu is extensive and the specials are unique. For example, on my last visit there was an artichoke "crab" cake that was absolutely divine. It was a bit soft--it fell off the bun--but it tasted really good. It came with homemade slaw and a pickle. There were a lot of other things on the menu that I'd like to try too, like a seitan Wellington. On this last visit, I also enjoyed a most amazing appetizer, one that I would order as an entree the next time: a Japanese salad made with glass noodles, seaweed, red pepper, red cabbage, and a very delicious soy dressing. The only thing I don't like is that the baked goods I've had seem consistently dry. The cornbread, the bread, etc. I don't know if they make them in advance and I just get day-old items, but it's worrisome. The service is great and even entertaining. Our server, Harris, was conversational and friendly and made us all have a really great evening. Thanks, Great Sage, for doing what you do!
(5)Esther O.
I can't figure out how on earth to rate Great Sage. I want to give them 5 *hundred* stars for being a vegan restaurant with a wonderful atmosphere for a night out - not really anywhere else in this area that fits the bill. But they don't *quite* get it right when it comes to the food, and that's disappointing. Everything else is perfect. Wonderful atmosphere, friendly helpful staff, varied menu, nice wine... everything everything is great. The food was a small disappointment. I brought a huge number of omnivore friends for my birthday, and I was really hoping to wow them with what vegan food could be. Maybe I was just spoiled by Gobo in NYC, but nothing lived up to that, by a long shot. Presentation was wonderful, and certainly nothing was bad - but nothing blew me away either. Not because it was vegan - there just wasn't quite enough flavor, or something...? I can't put my finger on it. That being said, I hope they do well and maybe figure out the flavors a bit more, because I would love to see more such restaurants in the area. And we certainly had a wonderful evening out by coming here, I think you're guaranteed to have a nice evening.
(3)P. M.
Great vegan food with many options for different preferences from salads and soups to nice brunches to hearty dinners and tasty sweet treats. Nice staff. Only down side is the location, but it's worth the trip every once in a while. Plus, the other Conscious Corner stores make this even more worthwhile to check out.
(4)J D.
one of the only places like this around......something straight out of san fran or santa cruz...good food.
(5)Dawnn J.
I love this place! Not my first time here, but came in during Lite Fare and was the only person in the place...that's what I call dedicated service. Quaint, cozy, and healthy. The bartender Harris was full of great recommendations...we talked whisky and life...good times. The chili and brown rice is good...very filling and good flavor. Comes with vegan cheese and sour cream, and corn bread. Corn bread can be a little dry, so I recommend asking for soy margarine on the side. Drinks - they currently have a Spiced Hot Cider with Wild Turkey Honey Bourbon that is Fantastic! Wine list is a little brief, but pleasantly great! Panther pinot noir, Yellow and Blue Malbec, and Lolonis Red Zin are my favorites for those who love fruit forward, jammy reds. *****Half priced bottles of wine Thursday nights during the live music portion of evening. Starts 8:30 pm. ********Special dinner on Monday, Jan 18th - Raw Superfoods Dinner - $45 pp. Looks really good!
(5)A H.
I am a vegetarian, not necessarily vegan but my boyfriend surprised me and took me out to eat here. The space is very nice, and they are families as well as couples here. Our waiter was a nice guy a little sarcastic for such an upscale place. I got a mushroom stroganoff, and it wasn't all that great. I got a hot tea and there are alot of options which is great because I love trying new teas. They serve it to you in a little teapot that stays warm, and have natural tea leaves steeping inside. The only thing is they will give you a refill of hot water, but would not give me anymore tea leaves. Which kind of defeats the point, because if I wanted water I would just drink it cold, and not pay an extra 2$ for it to be heated. My expectations were higher than what I received, for the price. I thought I would get a lot more food. My boyfriend got a bean burger and it was good, but like I said the prices are high here. At the near end of our meal, the busser came over to us and said "Are you gonna wrap it up or...." I guess he was trying to get us to leave. It was kind of weird.
(3)Gaz H.
If you are stuck with vegan dietary restrictions, you aren't going to do much better than this. The kitchen is creative and talented. They use great bread and decent pasta. And they make nothing...taste like food. Many of the dishes mentioned by my fellow yelpers were great to try (artichoke spinach dip, samosas, adult mac and cheese). The "burger" was served with some great honey mustard and nice accompaniments, but I wouldn't order it again. The carrot cake ice cream that was on special the night we attended was especially delightful...I'll bet the actual carrot cake is good. Pleasant, friendly and helpful servers (only a couple of scrawny bearded hippy vegan types in the bunch - a not overwhelming vibe, all things considered). Decor is thoughtful with rich colors - I daresay a good place to take a vegan on a date. Bathrooms were at the Starbucks level; certainly below the standard of the rest of the establishment.
(4)Miles L.
Great sage has awesome food, a wonderful staff, a relaxing environment, and good prices. Im not a vegan and I love it. Best vegan and gluten free restaurant in the state hands down!
(5)Ken R.
One of the worst dining experiences I have had in a while. I had heard a lot about this place and was looking forward to trying it. The food was quite good, if somewhat overpriced. The service was terrible. The hostess crossed our name off of the wait list by mistake and so we waited for over an hour before being seated at one of the tables on the sidewalk out front. She neglected to tell us that we would not be able to order alcohol out there, and the waiter wasn't aware of it either until after he took our drink orders, then returned to sheepishly give us the news. I don't like waiters who hover while you dine, but the wait staff here is at the other end of the spectrum, slow and unattentive. If not for the food I would never go back, but I am inclined to give it one more try. Disappointed
(2)Cheryl L.
Even if you are not vegan you will fall in love with this place. The food, atmosphere and service is outstanding!! I recommend the spinach artichoke dip, best I have ever had!! This place also has a great drink menu.
(5)Juan G.
Best vegan restaurant in the area! Wish they would open another one in Baltimore...
(5)Kathy J.
Our first time eating out at a vegan resturant. The bar has been set very very high. The Mac and cheese was incredible. The chocolate lava cake was everything I had wished for. The only problem I see is that I live in SC and am only in town for the holiday and I can't go anytime I like! Go you will not be disappointed.
(5)elizabeth c.
I've eaten here about 6 times in the past 4 or so years, and have always had an excellent overall experience. I can even remember this place before it was 100% vegan - which it is now. We were so impressed this weekend that we went two nights in a row, and had two fabulous servers, and two fabulous experiences. Here are my thoughts: Excellent food and really raw-friendly and gluten-free friendly. Favorite dishes include: raw rolls (swoon...swoon!), open-faced veggie burger, California salad, Santa Fe salad, raw juices, CARROT CAKE!! Best. Vegan. Carrot. Cake. Ever. P.S. - it's gluten free. Fantastic Service (was surprised at recent reviews that reflected a poor service experience). Generous and appealing seating area, including about 6 outdoor tables on a deck for warm weather. Very solid espresso, and I am mad picky about that. Fair prices. Sustainable/organic/local focused menu My only con is as follows - I think the cocktails could be stepped up a notch. There is a solid assortment of non-alcoholic beverages, including raw juices and smoothies. And in terms of the alcohol, the place has some really fantastic organic, sustainable, top-shelf spirits. And they have at their disposal (and use to an extent) fantastic mixers - i.e., fresh-pressed juices, fruits and other garnishes. The drinks are tasty and the cocktail list is a nice, smallish size, but I can't help but feel that the restaurant hasn't really focused on high-end drink presentation or mixing. The bartender we had this weekend is a totally competent guy with a fantastic personality and a nice approach - don't get me wrong. But some overall training on "mixology" for all of the servers/bartenders and getting really creative in the bar as well as the kitchen would catapult this spot to 5 stars in my book.
(4)