Chances are that if you’ve been to Broadbeach for holidays, you’ve eaten at Sage. Slung around a winning corner in the highly competitive Broadbeach dining area, Sage has been a solid performer over the last few years.
Now under new owners, a whole Asian Fusion menu has been introduced and we can’t get enough of it! There’s even a new Asian wall mural to celebrate. It’s a gorgeous space for small group dining, close to the bar to indulge in an Asian cocktail or two.
With the food now originating from two different kitchens, it’s possible to order from the two menus, all under one roof, but already you can feel which way we’re leaning – towards excitement, rather than known cuisine.
Starting with Edamame tossed in sage butter, sprinkled with Himalayan rock salt and black sesame, the share dishes we taste are a delight!
Next come delicious piquant lobster and sandcrab claw dumplings, their wonton wrappers laced with light soy, ginger, chilli, coriander, lime and sesame oil – a mouthful of bold flavours ($19).
An oblong platter of three Bao provide more filling fare. Filled with pork belly, preserved cabbage, carrot, bean sprouts and coriander, it’s dressed with kewpie mayo and sesame seeds.
There are many more Asian dishes that we have yet to try, such as Singapore Chilli Softshell Crab (which we hear has nailed the authentic flavours of the dish) for $27, Pork belly cooked in star anise with Asian greens $24, and Beef tataki $28.
With six menus at play, brekkie, lunch and dinner all having dedicated menus, Asian Fusion, Pizza a& Tapas and Dessert adding to the mix, it’s easy to get a little lost.
Taking pride of place in the Modern Australian menu are the pizza and tapas. It’s a clear steer away from traditional 3-course menus, and there is some interesting fare to choose from: Crumbed Olives, Duck spring rolls, Coconut prawns and Tiger prawns are tempting. But it’s the pizzas which many will head for. With an Italian crust and modern gourmet toppings the pizzas are pretty epic. Named after the sages of world history, Confucius features pork belly, and Gandhi (with caramelised onions, goats’ cheese, fresh rocket and balsamic glaze) is vegetarian, of course! All our favourite ingredients are there, but who’s going past King Neptune with his harvest of fresh prawns and calamari strewn with salsa verde, pangrattato and confit garlic!
But wait! There are also menus for times of the day. The ribs are mammoth and the steaks at Sage have always been a winner! They’re grain fed, tender and succulent, whether as eye fillet, reef and beef or Rib on the bone.
Other mains include Grilled Moreton Bay Bugs, Atlantic salmon, or you can choose from four shared plates. Gluten free? No problem! Your options are clearly marked on the menu.
King of the lot is the Signature Ocean and Earth Plate. At $119 it’s a very large ‘showoff’ platter to share, an all too rare feast of a bounty which hails from both land and sea: sand crab, oysters, king prawns and beer battered barramundi, as well as Grass-fed export quality MSA steak, Byron Bay pork, fresh fruit, French fries and garden salad. Fresh, tasty, delicious, it’s more than enough for two!
Be aware that, like a number of restaurants in the Broadbeach area, Sage employs a discounting policy through vouchers and early dining times. Most of Sage’s menu is available at 40% less by placing your order between 5 – 6pm. Dine early to save the bucks!
Dining offers can be a ‘Win Win’ experience. They encourage consumers to be adventurous, to try a new dining experience, leaving more to spend on sides and drinks. The result is value dining for you, and table turnover for the restaurant. (Take care to note the dishes they apply to and the exclusions.)
The bar places a focus squarely on the drinks menu. There are some of our favourite local Burleigh Brewing beers on tap, cocktails and spirits (including a carafe of Mai Tai, ‘Oh my!’), with some pretty awesome gems scattered through the wine list. Take a look at the Ata Rangi Crimson Pinot Noir from Martinborough NZ or the Yalumba The Cigar Cabernet Sauvignon from the Coonawarra’s world famous terra rossa soil. Scored at 92 and 94 respectively, they’re mighty fine drinking and very well priced!
To round off the night, we’re persuaded to try a dessert pizza. There are four to choose from: Black Forest (nutella and berry), Apple and rhubarb, Fruit of the forest (fresh mint with hazelnut and chocolate), but we choose the Banoffee Pie. For someone who’s usually not a dessert person, this pizza is seriously addictive! Atop the lightest slightly chewy pastry lies a topping of caramel, banana and cream, freshened with just a hint of mint. Enough to share between four, it’s a dessert we will talk about for some time, a definite indulgence contender that would go on my ‘must eat’ dishes of the Gold Coast.
Whether you’re after a date night pizza, family dinner with something for everyone, or luscious dessert and cocktail, Sage has an extensive menu to suit your needs. Shop keenly and you’ll enjoy even better value!
5/20 Queensland Avenue, Broadbeach Ph: 07 5538 9938
NOTE: Good Food Gold Coast dined as a guest of Sage Cafe Restaurant on one occasion that we dined there.