Blue Sage Vegetarian Grille

Order the Dal. 

You won’t be sorry.

Silky soft lentils billowing with subtle curry, slightly al dente cubed sweet potatoes, the tangy pop of grape tomatoes, and bitter micro greens combine in a delightful stew that simultaneously makes you feel the comfort of home while exposing you to flavors of far-off lands.  Blue Sage Vegetarian Grille’s version of this Indian dish ($17.50) is large enough to take half home, and the next day my
husband’s fork fought mine, tines entwined, over the last cold bites.

Among other vegetarian delights, the Dal makes the short drive to Southampton to dine at this BYO worth it, but you’ll need reservations.  The small, warm ochre dining room fills up quickly and walk-in availability is rare on weekends. 

It is crowded despite the lack of meat on the menu, or, more likely, because of the lack of meat on the menu.  Here, the vegetarian and vegan offerings are inventive and delicious, with many choices to make you forget all about your carnivorous nature. 

Highlights include creamy hummus, savory baba ghanoush, and cumin-rich falafel, which joined forces with fresh pita on a generous Mediterranean Sampler ($11.75).  Adobo Goat Cheese Nachos ($10.95) overwhelm in towering size, the blue corn chips overflowing with black beans, corn, hot red peppers, tomatoes, and a creamy oniony blend of goat and Manchengo cheeses.  A crock of cream-enhanced tomato soup, hunks of tomato punctuating its silky smoothness, blanket the palate with ripe richness ($4.95).

A grilled cheese sandwich ordered for the kids is served on hearty bread and is distinctly refined, perfected by a dip in the tomato soup.  Kids can also order cheese quesadillas accompanied by a tangled mess of irresistible shoestring fries, if they prefer something geared less towards mature palates. 

While most offerings at Blue Sage are innovative, there is the occasional dish that is too bland, or, surprisingly, too overwhelming.  The Blue Corn Asparagus Tacos seem overly simple, despite the tomato-almond pesto onboard and the side of salsa and ancho chile cream ($9.35.)  

The reverse is true of the Whistle Stop Sammy ($11.75).  Stacked with fried green tomatoes, red onion marmalade, pepper hash, and green goddess dressing on a dark rye bread, these various garnishings have great potential but fall short when combined.  Taken apart, each ingredient is delicious in its own right, but together they become muddled, allowing no cohesive flavor to shine through.   

Blue Sage does have excellent examples of how flavors compliment, though.  In fact, right next to that cluttered sandwich, the accompanying salad of arugula, thin beets, and candied pecans delights in freshness and an interesting maple mustard vinaigrette.  And of course, there’s the Dal. 

That sublime Dal. Harmonious and exciting, I’ll order it every time.  And you should too, I’m not sharing mine.

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Blue Sage Vegetarian Grille earns 4 out of 5 Whisks for vegetarian dishes that
delight the palate.

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Second Helping of Information

Location – 772 Second Street Pike, Southampton, PA 18966

Hours – Lunch Tuesday – Saturday:  11:30am – 3pm; Dinner Tuesday – Thursday: 4:30pm – 9pm, Friday and Saturday: 4:30pm – 10pm

Phone – 215-942-8888

Website – http://www.bluesagegrille.com/

Reservations – Available,necessary for dinner