Typically, when I hear about a vegan restaurant, I think ‘oh, great! Another place that lacks flavor.” Sage Plant-Based Bistro is single-handedly changing the way we view vegan food. Made with elevated ingredients, Sage Plant-Based Bistro truly is farm-to-table.

 Vegan AND flavorful – these are two words I never thought I’d use in the same sentence. However, the entire menu at Sage Plant Based Bistro is bursting with fresh flavors from the local garden.

All items utilized in the restaurant are garnished from their very own farm, Sow a Heart Farm. The owner has a strong commitment to environmental causes and decided to put her money where her mouth is. “We are one of the few restaurants in LA where the owner owns a farm, Dená Brummer, Director of Marketing & Creative Services shares. “75% of items used in the restaurant are grown the farm. And 100% of the waste comes back to the farm and is turned into compost.” The establishment also - has a ZERO waste policy. From the utensils to the compost, everything provides ZERO waste – which is incredible.

“I created Sage because to create a place where friends and family of all different dietary persuasion would be able to gather and there would be food for everyone. Ice cream for the kids, bourbon for grandpa, green juice for mom, pizza for the teenagers, etc,” Mollie Engelhart, Founder + CEO of Sage Plant Based Bistro. “The intent was for Sage to be home for everyone and that the food would evoke comfort and inclusiveness. Growing up vegan I often felt left out of the dining experience and my friends hated restaurants I could eat at. So I created a space for everyone to enjoy.”

The restaurant recently released their picnic baskets for guests to enjoy at their leisure. The picnic baskets take the prep work out of it and is the epitome of grab-and-go. All baskets come with: lemonade, water (still or sparkling), plates 2 entrees, 2 appetizers, and a dessert. The basket is available for 2-8 people and is packaged in a cute tote complete with utensils.

“It’s summertime! People are out and we are creeping our way out of the pandemic, Dená shares. “WE wanted to offer something to our customers that would meet all oof their needs so they wouldn’t have to think about it.”

Being Vegan is not a fad, not for SVB, it’s a conscious lifestyle choice. The vegan roots run deep as she also comes from a plant-based family. Her parents own two other Southern California staples -- Café Gratitude and Gracias Madre! “This is one of the many things that sets SVB apart from the rest, Dená shares. “Not only was the goal to be more farm-to-table, but Mollie is the farmer herself.”

Sage Plant Based Bistro has multiple locations across the Los Angeles area, however the Echo Park location also has an all-vegan brewery in-house! The pours also come straight from the farm and rotate due to seasonality. Bottom line, Sage Vegan Bistro is a vegan spot to add to your list. You will not be disappointed.