"Over-rated"   My Rating
1 cam07268	Posted on: Sunday, July 26, 2009
	Review: I went to Great Sage for my birthday because it recieved good reviews and I'm vegan so I knew there would be a lot of options. My omnivore family was very hesitant to go but they wanted to give it a try for my sake. I ordered the chili over rice and it was very, very bland. My father ordered the Americana and didn't eat the meat loaf, he said it tasted like wood. I tried a bite of it and had to agree, it was way too much. My mother ordered the veggie burger and was eating it but didn't seem to enjoy it. I tried a bite and it was very bland as well. It tasted like a corn cake, not "burger-like" at all, even for a vegetarian. No one finished their meals and despite the let-down, I still wanted some cake for my birthday. I got a lemon cupcake and could only eat a few bites. It was way too dense and crumbly to be considered a cupcake and had a weird chunky icing. I really wanted to like this restaurant but it was dissapointing, and now my family REALLY thinks vegan food is bland and unpleasant. It's going to take a long time to redeem my lifestyle...   Pros: Healthy * Nice Staff * Cons: Poor taste * Expensive * Small selection
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"Exceptional"   My Rating
GUEST	Posted on: Thursday, April 16, 2009
	Review: The previous reviewer, keicjjjaweca, is delusional. My husband and I were fortunate enough to get in to Great Sage for the Valentine's Day five course Dinner, since the event was completely booked. From the first course appetizer to the "love buzz" coffee, we were thoroughly impressed. The cost of the dinner alone was worth the piece of vegan acai berry cheesecake. Actually, at the end of meal my husband and I commented that it should have cost more. The atmosphere was cozy, friendly and relaxing. Each course was delicious and prepared thoughtfully. The portions were perfect if not too much (I took the salad home, I did not have room). We talked several times to the couple next to us and they were very very pleased with the dinner as well. I thought the service was good, especially with so many people there. At the end of the dinner as we were leaving, they gave everyone a red rose, which was delightfully unexpected. We are so happy we found this place! It was completely worth the drive down from Baltimore, and is the nicest vegan establishment within 100 miles of us.   Pros: vegan top chef quality! * comforting atmosphere * calm, polite and friendly service Cons: * *
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"Fantastic Experience Every Time"   My Rating
1 aroutt	Posted on: Thursday, March 05, 2009
	Review: I started going to Great Sage about 6 months ago. I stopped by once to get a cup of organic coffee and could not believe how attentive the staff was. They saw that I had a laptop and told me that they would find a table with an outlet in case I needed to get some work done. I stayed for a few hours, had the best Curry Panang I have ever had in my life along with a glass of terrific organic white wine. And to think....I just came in for a cup of coffee! Well now I am a regular and have gotten to know the staff and genuinely nice owners. They really practice what they preach. I have learned that they are very involved in the community by supporting local farms, sustainable living, and are very generous with many worthy causes. (It turns out they own all of the stores in the corner....Roots, Bark (pet store) and a cute boutique....I think it is called Nest. From the beginning the Manager on staff (I now know both of them by name) has greeted me, made sure everything was to my satisfaction, and handed me valuable coupons for the other businesses when I leave. What a great deal! I know it's cliché.....but ..... it is the place to go where \"everybody knows your name\".'   Pros: Great quality food * Unbelievable Service * Valuable to the community Cons: none * none * none
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"The worst overall dining experience of our lives"   My Rating
1 keicjjjawe ca	Posted on: Sunday, February 15, 2009
	Review: Go to Great Sage, eat underwhelming, overpriced food, pay, and then have the crazy staff follow you out and accuse you of leaving a poor tip! That's what happened to us. We've been on and off customers of Great Sage since it opened. We are vegans, so the fact that with the limited number of full veg restaurants in the DC, we aren't dedicated customers singing the praises of this place should tell you something. Every time we go, we leave disappointed. Since it opened, the menu options and portions have shrunk, while the prices have gone up (ie, a black bean burger for $13). The ethnic styled dishes generally cater to American palates with low degree of spice. Many of the more adventuresome meals are just not hearty. From a vegan nutrition standpoint, many lack sufficient soy, gluten, nuts or other proper sources of protein. In general we prefer a hands off service approach, but here the service is down right amateur. On many occasion we've been visited by a server and/or served well after folks who arrived well after us We attended this year's $40 a person Valentine's Day event. The 5 course meal was the typical mediocre fare they offer, now at inflated prices. Portions were laughably small. I literally left hungry! Then it took an absolutely bizarre turn when after we paid and left, one of the employees followed us out into the neighboring Roots Market and accused us of only leaving a $1 tip in front of a bunch of people. She never identified herself, but we recognized her from the restaurant. Despite the poor meal, we explained we had left $100 on an $80 bill since its not the server's fault. Minutes later this same employee came back, apologized and handed us a scribbled business card offering us 2 free drinks next time we visit. As if we would return to a restaurant where the staff harass the patrons after they leave. (abusive content removed by staff) We will not set foot in the establishment again unless we hear it changes ownership.   Pros: vegan * * Cons: obnoxious staff * small portions *
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"Impressed!"   My Rating
13 nardanddee	Posted on: Sunday, February 08, 2009
	Review: I LOVE this restaurant. The entire 'corner' is great. From clothing to groceries to pet supplies. But the restaurant owner greeted me at the front door (and provided me with coupons to the other natural stores in the shopping center) and everyone was super friendly. I love that you can go vegan or stay vegetarian on every menu item. Had I not known that they were a cruelty-free eating venue, I would not have been able to tell from the flavorful meal that I had there. The ingredients were fresh and everything was seasoned to perfection. What ever you decide to get while there...please save room for dessert! It's out of this world!   Pros: healthy cuisine * large portions * small price Cons: * *
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"Good, But Not Great, Sage"   My Rating
11 NIBsmf	Posted on: Tuesday, June 10, 2008
	Review: One of my fears about moving to Maryland after living in NYC for 9 years was that I would not have nearly as many vegetarian restaurants to choose from, so I was excited to find this restaurant down the road from me. I was disappointed, however, though I would say that it is a decent place. I found my food (onion soup and a veggie version of meatloaf) rather bland, although my boyfriend's veggie chili was decent. I found the food to be too bland and too healthy for my likings, but mind you I am not the healthiest vegetarian in that way. I prefer soy meats and unique dishes of that sort, not the healthier options of lentils, bulgar, brown rice, etc. Those things are nice at times, but it's not really my thing... if you like those things, then you'd probably like Great Sage. Aside from the food, it is a nice place... staff and the atmopshere were nice. My only other complaint is that it is pretty pricey.   Pros: Healthy cuisine * Organic * Friendly staff Cons: Pricey * Bland food *
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"Room to improve"   My Rating
98 condekedar	Posted on: Saturday, April 26, 2008
	Review: 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.   Pros: Gutsy location * Atmosphere * Service Cons: Bland food * *
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"Wondrous experience!"   My Rating
30 cookiem	Posted on: Thursday, December 13, 2007
	Review: My friend and I loved this place! My fav place in Maryland, possibly in the greater D.C. metro area! The service was nice, the decor was soothing, the food was divine, the portions substantial and it's organic, vegan and amazing! Don't miss it! Some folks complain about waiting, but if you go early, you won't have to wait! The seitan is scrumptious and the carrot cake is lovely! Don't forget a mint cookie shake! Soy or rice! I just wish they had more for me to try, but I'll keep trying what they do have!   Pros: Organic * ambience * portions Cons: More dessert * More entrees *
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"Highly recommended. :-)"   My Rating
24 groovyvega n	Posted on: Monday, November 12, 2007
	Review: Great Sage is the nicest vegetarian restaurant I've been to in Maryland, both in terms of food quality and atmosphere. Here's a link to their menu: http://www.great-sage.com/Menu.html Their menu is well-labelled not only as to what is vegan, what is not, and what can be veganized, but also what is gluten free, soy free, etc. Most of the food is quite good, although there are a few items that are so-so. I highly recommend their Indian Vegetable Cakes which come with a variety of delicious items as well as the cakes, including cashew spinach, mango date chutney, and a rice pilaf. Also, I like their Americana, a delicious vegan interpretation of meatloaf, (served with mashed potatoes and gravy if you order it at dinnertime.) On their lunch menu, I highly recommend the BBQ seitan. Also, my omni partner finds their vegetarian ruben to be the second-best vegetarian ruben he's ever had. Their Caesar salad, without the cheese, is one of the best vegan Caesar salads I've had anywhere. And their must-have sinfully delicious dessert is their lava cake, better with their vanilla soy ice cream than their rice ice cream. We also like their chocolate mint shake. :-) One disappointing menu on the menu is the Thai stir fry, which has a very thin, weak, green curry. Their southwestern burger is okay, but not great. The wait staff is quite good on weekend evenings, but often new and inexperienced at lunch time on week days. Note that they sometimes run out of items, particularly their Americana. Also, they are quite good about making substitutions if, for example, you want something instead of the potato chips offered with one dish or the vegetable offered with another.   Pros: Mostly excellent food * Organic ingredients * Very vegan-friendly Cons: A few so-so items * Sometimes run out of their best items *
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"Gourmet Vegetarian"   My Rating
15 ahaus829	Posted on: Friday, September 28, 2007
	Review: A true gem in all of Maryland! Great food, delicious brunch, and a uniquely artful design. We love this place! The vegan desserts are wonderful. Also try the organic cocktails!   Pros: * * Cons: * *
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