108 chapelhillmagazine.com July/August 2014

Sage Vegetarian Cafe1 1 2 9 W E A V E R D A I R Y R D .9 1 9 - 9 6 8 - 9 2 6 6W W W . S A G E V E G C A F E . C O M

For me, scanning the menu at Sage is like flipping through an atlas – I see a half-dozen

exotic names I need to experience. Though Persian at its core, the vegetarian cuisine that

Iranian-born Homa Jahannia and her son Ramin have perfected over the past 11 years

borrows from Italian, Greek and other global culinary traditions. Take Caribe, a perfectly

summery Mexican/Cuban dish with a cauldron of flavorful black beans at its center. The

other anchor of the meal, light-as-air saffron rice, lets the fusion of creamy avocado, grilled

spicy tofu and tropical plantains shine. Accompanied with a cucumber-tomato Shirazi

Salad and a hot sauce blend, Caribe was best served outdoors, where I could pretend I

was lunching alfresco in an ancient plaza. Other entrees appeared just as enticing, with

faraway ingredients from tempeh and tahini to saffron and cinnamon. I’ll definitely be

back for another visit – no passport required. $14 – Jessica Stringer

TASTER E S T A U R A N T S , D E L I S A N D B I S T R O S

I N C H A P E L H I L L , C A R R B O R O , H I L L S B O R O U G H A N D N O R T H E R N C H A T H A M C O U N T Y

A D V E R T I S E R S H I G H L I G H T E D I N B O X E S

CHAPEL HILLEast Franklin Street DowntownArtisan Pizza Kitchen Sand wiches, ham-burgers, pizza. 153 E. Franklin St.; (919) 929-9119

Bandido’s Mexican Cafe Burritos, salads, quesadillas, tacos. 159-1/2 E. Franklin St.; (919) 967-5048

BUNS Serves gourmet burgers, fries and shakes made from fresh ingredients; beer and

wine only. 107 N. Columbia St.; (919) 240-4746; www.bunsofchapelhill.com

Carolina Coffee Shop The mainstay serves casual American cuisine for breakfast, lunch and dinner. 138 E. Franklin St.; (919) 942-6875

Chopsticks & More Chicken wings, hot bowls. 163 E. Franklin St.; (919) 933-5277

Cosmic Cantina Burritos, salads, quesadillas, tacos. 128 E. Franklin St.; (919) 960-3955

Four Corners American fare, nachos, wings, pasta. 175 E. Franklin St.; (919) 537-8230

Kurama Sushi & Noodle Dumplings, salads, noodle dishes. 105 N. Columbia St.; (919) 968-4747

Linda’s Bar & Grill Local beer, sweet potato tots, cheese fries, burgers. 203 E. Franklin St.; (919) 933-6663

McAlister’s Deli Sandwiches, wraps, baked pota toes, soups. 205 E. Franklin St.; (919) 969-1102

THE DISH O U R P I C K O F T H E S E A S O N

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