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| - I had an outstanding meal last night at Sage. The space is beautiful yet warm and inviting. Romantic. My server, John, could not have been better. Very professional, yet friendly, with superb recommendations. He was terrific. I wish I knew the name of the gentleman helping him, with bread, water and the like... he also could not have been better. (The staff across the board, from the hostesses to the food runners were all wonderful.)
And the food! I was bowled over by the flavors with every dish. I did 3 courses: 2 appetizers and one entrée. The first was an artichoke and fennel salad: both were shaved mandoline thin, beautifully arranged with crispy capers (wow), various citrus and goat cheese. The flavors were remarkable. Then I had roasted heirloom beets and carrots, with various purees, including an intense, amazing tarragon pesto and the surprise was bitter chocolate, burnt and crumbled. I almost did not order this because of the chocolate but the way it worked in the dish was incredible. Again, fresh, deep, amazing flavors.
For my entrée, I had lamb: perfectly cooked (and I mean PERFECT) lamb loin, with a rich eggplant puree, the best snap peas I've ever eaten and a lamb neck tureen. Again, I was a little iffy on the tureen but it was incredible and very inventive. It looked the way bone marrow is served, yet what is usually the bone was the actual neck, crisped and delicious, with a decadent compote of lamb and other ingredients inside. It's not as weird as it sounds, it was just plain delicious. I don't know where these snap peas came from but fresh doesn't even begin to describe them.
All in all, one of the best meals I have had in a while. I started with a top notch Manhattan and John recommended two perfect wines, a sancerre with the appetizers and a cotes du rhone with the lamb.
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