Eating out is not what it used to be. Increasingly it seems dining is not just about the food, but it’s about the experience, values and expectation. When choosing your meal out, what ranks as the most important factors for you in choosing your restaurant or cafe?

Healthy Options

The health benefits of our food are often a major factor in our dining selection. Whilst there are some foods that we know we ought to avoid, whether it be a burger and chips saturated in Trans Fat, to cereals or sodas containing Corn Syrup, or anything containing artificial sweeter; the question of – what is healthy or best? – is not as simple as it seems.

Today we are inundated with any number of ideas about what is and what is not a healthy meal. Low carb or low sugar? Holistic or all natural? Many buzz words tell us something about our foods, however, unfortunately not everything. Yet, what is clear is that diners want meal options which include healthy choices on their menu.

Local

For many diners, the idea of healthy is not the only factor. Increasingly, diners are concerned about whether food is locally sourced and produced. This can include preference for seasonal products, regional seafood or craft beer. It may also include knowing something of the suppliers and supply chains of the food we are served.

Cuisine

The menu matters. Most diners are not looking for the food they could cook at home. Craving for ethnic cuisine or innovative meals factor highly in dining choice. It may include trying a meal with the latest superfood, or a modern twist on a classic.

Technology

Then there is the question of how the restaurant rates on Trip Advisor, Yelp, Zomato, WOMO, or Beanhunter? This is particularly important for younger generations, although older diners are growing in their use of these sites.

Eating out is not as simple as it used to be. What’s most important in your meal choice is ultimately your judgement call. Does locally sourced and produced trump innovation or client reviews? Perhaps it is simply about the taste and ambiance of the restaurant or cafe.

At Sage Cafe Restaurant we pride ourselves on great food, however we also understand that your meal out is so much more. Join us for lunch or dinner for a great dining experience.

All natural, superfood, probiotic. antioxidant, organic and holistic are just some of the buzz words filling our dietary vocabularies. Now, arguably more than ever, diners are more educated and have greater expectations of healthy options when it comes to their dining.

Do you ever find yourself craving healthy, but you are not sure where to begin?

Let’s look at some of the terms which diners consider when finding that healthy menu.

Holistic food includes such things as vegetable, fish, beans, nuts, seeds, fruits and whole grains that are unprocessed. This does not necessarily mean raw food, but it would be food which does not contain any additives or artificial ingredients.

All natural food typically does not contain artificial ingredients or preservatives, and food is only minimally processed. However, there are no enforceable standards about what foods can be termed natural, so what fits into this category is not quite as straightforward as we would like to think.

Superfoods are great for marketing, and there is a lot of hype surrounding them – whether it be goji or acai berries, kiwifruit or perhaps linseed. Whilst there is no legal definition for superfoods, they are foods which have a higher concentration of nutrients and antioxidants than many other foods.

Probiotics are essentially healthy gut bacteria, which are believed to impact our well-being. These bacteria have a role to play in our immune system, our moods, weight, as well as physical and mental health. Whilst there is a lot of debate about the actual health benefits of many of the fermented foods listed in probiotic selections, eating natural probiotics like kim chi or yoghurt are really good for us.

Low Carb is a meal which is low in carbohydrates, restricting the intake of sugary foods and starches, such as pasta and bread. The emphasis is more towards real foods, including protein, natural fats and vegetables. Whilst carbohydrates provide essential nutrients, low carb meals are considered by many to be a good choice when pursuing weight loss.

Organic refers to the way in which products are grown. Organic food is generally grown and processed without the use of pesticides or synthetic fertilisers. Many people suggest organic food tastes better as well, but you decide.

Do you find yourself craving healthy? At Sage Cafe Restaurant we have a great range of healthy meals made with fresh fruits, vegetables, dairy, meat, and fish. What’s more, they taste great. Join us for lunch or dinner – Contact us to make a reservation.

You’ve watched every episode of Master Chef, My Kitchen Rules, and Hell’s Kitchen so you’re a culinary expert? Let’s see. Let us at Sage offer you ten unusual cooking terms you may not have heard of.

Barding

You’ve probably used this technique without knowing the name for it. Barding is taking a thin slice of fat or bacon and securing to your meat. This is used particularly when the meat is lean to keep it moist and infuse it with flavour.

Coddle

You’ve no doubt heard this word, but not in relation to cooking. To coddle is to cook your ingredients, often an egg or fruit, slowly in liquid which is just below boiling point.

Fool

If you’re British, you may know this one. A fool is a dessert made with pureed fruit mixed with whipped cream. Whilst any fruit can be used, the most traditional recipe is made with gooseberries.

Grunt

Whilst the British might know what a Fool is, if you are from America you are likely to know what a Grunt is. It’s a combination of a pie and cobbler made of fruit and often berries, cooked underneath a crust of biscuit dough. By the way, a Grunt is also a type of fish.

Muddler

Whilst a muddler can be a type of fly used in trout fishing, it is also a tool used by bartenders. It is used like a pestle to crush or muddle herbs, spices and fruits in the bottom of a glass to release their flavour.

Plumping

Plumping is the process of letting food soak up liquid in order to restore moisture that has been removed by drying or dehydration. In baking you might plump raisins in hot water before adding them to a mix. In short, by soaking your food in liquid it will get larger in size.

Render

This is not covering your food in plaster, but the process of cooking meats to obtain the fatty juices.

Shuck

Seafood lovers should know this one. To shuck is to remove the outer shell of an oyster or clam. It can also be a term applied to removing the inedible outer shell of other food items as well. You might shuck a shell off a nut or the husk off corn.

Temper

Tempering is a technique normally associated with adding eggs to a hot or warm mixture in a way to prevent the eggs cooking. It is essentially the technique of mixing hot and cold ingredients so that they don’t get ruined as they come together.

Weep

Weeping is when clear juices or liquids run out of a solid food, such as jellies, custards, and meringues. Unfortunately, it can ruin the taste and appearance of some foods.

At Sage, let us worry about the techniques and terms, whilst you can relax and enjoy our delicious food.

Did you know the word ‘steak’ is rumoured to have come from an old Saxon or Norse word, “steik”? It means meat on a stick. Whilst the name has stuck, at Sage Cafe Restaurant, we won’t be serving you meat on a stick. Steak today is a slice of meat cut for roasting, grilling or frying.

Overcooked steak not only tastes bad, but is bad for you! When we overcook meat the fat, protein, and sugars in the meat get fused together. This makes your meat tough, hard to cut, difficult to chew and digest. On a more serious note, overcooked meat at high temperatures has been linked to cancer, especially prostate cancer for men.

If you have ever felt squeamish at the thought of blood seeping out of your rare steak, there is no need to worry. It’s not blood. The juice that you see is mostly water, with a little fat and some proteins called myoglobin. It’s what gives your meat the red or pinkish colour and it’s safe to eat.

Different steaks need to be cooked at different temperatures. Perhaps most obviously, thick steaks need to be cooked at lower temperatures than thin steaks, as the thicker steak can easily burn on the outside if the temperature is too hot. Also, the rarer the steak – a lower cooking temperature should be used.

Did you know there are sixteen different primary cuts of steak? These range from Sirloin to Rib, or Blade, as well as many variations, which are a combination or mixture of primary cuts, such as Porterhouse or T-bone made from Top Loin and Tenderloin. If you have had one steak, then you have certainly not had them all! There is plenty of choice when it comes to steak.

At Sage Café Restaurant we take steak seriously and offer a great selection, cooked to perfection, complimented with confit garlic mash, vegetables and a wide selection of sauces. We also pride ourselves, in the fact that we are the highest rated steak restaurant in Broadbeach according to Trip Advisor!

Why not join us for lunch or dinner, and enjoy steak cooked the way it should be!

Have you noticed that there is something about being human where a great experience is never complete until we have told someone about it?  This may be the need to tell another person about the latest movie you saw, that song you can’t get out of your head, or the great meal you just ate.

Historically we shared this experience by word of mouth.  We’d most likely tell the story of the perfect steak, the great service, or the delicious desert over the back fence or at the water cooler.

There is something about word of mouth.  We not only love giving it, but we love getting it.  It’s trustworthy.  It’s an honest appraisal of another person’s experience.  No advertising spin.  No edited review.  It has no agenda other than to invite us to enjoy the experience of a trusted friend or colleague.

Whilst the world may have changed, and the conversation over the back fence is less commonplace, we still yearn for information from a trusted source.  Statistics show that nearly 70% of travellers will research accommodation and attractions options for their travel destination online before they leave home.  This is increasingly true for restaurants and cafes as well, whether it be on Yelp, Zomato, WOMO, Beanhunter or Tripadvisor.  At Sage Cafe and Yellowfin Seafood Restaurant we always enjoy good reports from our clients, consistently ranking in the top 20 on Tripadvisor.

Don’t just take our word for it, come and experience what others are saying “over the back fence” about Sage Cafe.  Why don’t you join us or a great meal you’ll want to tell your friends about?  Perhaps take a shot of your dessert with your smart phone and Facebook or Instagram it?  Maybe send a tweet about the great service?  Jump on a review site and get the word out.

This will cap off your great experience and give someone else a gift from a trusted source.

At Sage we know planning a function for a large group can be a daunting and stressful prospect. Let us help with our eleven tips for planning the PERFECT MEAL.

Parking.Driving around looking for a park can wreck a perfect meal before it begins. Ask in advance how easy it is for your guests to park their cars. Questions like is there undercover or secure parking available near by? Are there free parking options? We can provide all the information you need to help your guest arrive in the right frame of mind.

Extra Specials. At Sage we always have extra deals and goodies available. Make sure you ask about what you can add to make your booking stands out.

Request special menu options. In a group booking it’s common to have a guest who has a special dietary requirement. If you have a guest with a special menu request, please let us know in advance and we can explore the options we have to accommodate the needs of your guest.

Floor plan. Ask about the floor plan of Sage and where you will be seated. This is particularly important for special occasions or when booking a venue for a large group. At Sage we can even provide a virtual tour of our restaurant to help you visualise your perfect meal.

Extra Touches. Here at Sage we are happy to go the extra mile, send us a photo of the guest of honour and we’ll make sure to personalise your menus. Perhaps you need AV equipment on the night? Just let us know your requirements and we can arrange quotes for you.

Charges. To create the perfect meal often involves adding a few extras, from pre-ordering the right wines, to table decorations, or perhaps AV equipment. At Sage we are happy to give you an overview of all the cost and charges leading up to your special event so that you won’t have any unwelcome surprises at the end of the night.

Table Decorations. The personal touch of table or room decorations can enhance your group experience by setting a theme or bringing a touch or elegance to your evening. Take the stress out the event by allowing us to assist you, just ask about decoration options and charges to make sure your evening is just right.

Menu. The right food is essential for a great meal, and a Sage we are happy to explore a host of options with you. For larger groups we find by arranging a set menu in advance with limited options can help provide a better flow of service for your night.

Extra costs. Ask in advance if you can bring your own cake or wine? Are there BYO costs or extra charges for special meals? No one likes the surprise of extra costs on the night.

Ambience. The suitability of the venue for your needs is just as critical as quality food and wine for your perfect meal. Do you need privacy for speeches? Is your group likely to be irritated by the noise of other diners near by? Will indoor or outdoor options best create the mood you are after. Let us help you set the right feel for your night.

Large Groups. It takes preparation to make sure a large group get everything they need for an event. There is nothing worse than running out of wine after a great meal. Have a look at our wine list before the night and we are happy to ensure we have an extra supply of your choices, chilled and ready to serve on the night.
Ready to experience your perfect meal? Contact us today to book in.

When you have an allergy or condition such as coeliac disease, going out for dinner – something that should be effortless fun – can seem like a bit of a chore. You have to be more selective about what you order and, in some cases, you have to rule out certain function venues gold coast.
The good news is your special dietary requirements don’t have to ruin your night out. Here are some ideas about staying safe while still enjoying yourself when going out to dinner.

Be Aware of Others’ Allergies

You might be surprised by just how many people have allergies – the numbers are on the rise. On top of the most well-known allergies (e.g. peanuts, onion, garlic, wheat, dairy), some people have intolerances to more niche food items, such as preservatives or specific fruits. Whether or not you yourself have an allergy, it’s important to be aware of any conditions the friends you’re dining with have. This way, you can take extra care with your own food if necessary and make a considerate choice regarding where to dine.

Choose Your Venue

Most broadbeach restaurants and cafés have their menu on their website (like we do!). Use this to your advantage and ensure you’re booking dinner at a place that can cater towards your dietary needs. If you can’t be sure from the venue’s website, call ahead to double check. Here at Sage Café, we’re sensitive to the various requirements of people with allergies, which is why we go out of our way to ensure your dining experience is both enjoyable and safe.

Speak to the Staff

Even though our menu includes helpful details such as ‘gluten free’, don’t assume that a certain dish is unavailable to you just because it contains an ingredient you can’t eat. Our staff will always do what they can to assist you, so speak to the manager or chef about adjusting your meal to suit your requirements. We can be quite flexible when needed!
If you’re looking for an excellent night out at a venue that will take care of your tastebuds (as well as your dietary needs), you can’t go past Sage. Contact us today to make a booking.

On Tuesday, 3rd November, our nation will once again stop what we are doing, turn to the nearest TV screen, and watch the very best thoroughbreds race for two miles in the world’s richest handicap race. Our Melbourne Cup.

Maybe you have a tradition or two you bring to Cup Day? It could be an annual flutter, to buying a new hat, taking a fashion risk, putting a couple of dollars in the office sweeps or simply closing the office early.

Most of all, Melbourne Cup is a day to be enjoyed with others.

It’s the day in the year when we all become experts in the “sport of kings”. We will share our picks for the race and recount the heroic feats of past winners. There will be a glass or two raised in memory of the late Bart Cummings, the trifecta of wins by the mighty mare Makybe Diva will no doubt be remembered, and there will be talk about the fashions on the field. Like other functions gold coast there will be great food and wine, lots of laughter and the company of friends. This is Melbourne Cup Day.

In his visit to the Melbourne Cup in 1895 Mark Twain is reported to have wrote: “The grandstands make a brilliant and wonderful spectacle, a delirium of colour, a vision of beauty. The champagne flows, everybody is vivacious, excited, happy; everybody bets …” Little has changed from the time Twain wrote this. Melbourne Cup is, and has always been more than a horse race. It’s a spectacle to be savoured with friends and colleagues.

As other broadbeach restaurants our relaxed environment, friendly staff, as well as our great food and wine mean that all you need focus on this Melbourne Cup is celebrating. At Sage, we invite  you to book your table today and start a new tradition by joining us to celebrate the race that stops the nation.