About a year and a half ago, Sara and Andrew Carlton opened August Sage Café in The Factory in Columbia. Finding a space up for rent, they became obsessed with the idea of opening their own restaurant and decided to “go for it.” Choosing not to confine themselves to any specific cuisine, their light-fare offerings draw on many cultures, including French, Mexican, Italian, Southern, Contemporary American, and Middle Eastern.
The menu focuses on lighter fare made primarily with locally sourced foods. Everything is fresh with an emphasis on keeping things healthy. There are gluten-free and vegan options. A number of “small plates” can be ordered and shared. While primarily focused on breakfast and lunch, they are open for dinner on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.
Between the inviting ambiance, warm, friendly service and delicious food, the restaurant has become a favorite of locals, out-of-town visitors, and foodies everywhere.
While they offer several starters, two unique plates to try are the Herbed Butter Candle and the Crème Brulee Dip. The slow-melting herbed butter candle is absolutely delicious with the warmed sourdough bread. The sweet and savory Crème Brulee Dip blends goat and cream cheese, prosciutto, crushed pistachios and dried cranberries served with bread and crackers.
Brunch favorites include the Orange Matcha French Toast, Croffle and Patatas Waffle. Using Prevail Bakery Brioche as the base, the Orange Matcha French Toast is topped with cinnamon and iced with sweet orange and Matcha cream cheese frosting. The Croffle is a waffle made from Kings Bakery croissants drizzled in maple syrup and topped with berries and sweet mascarpone. Those preferring something less sweet will enjoy the Patatas Waffle made from hash browns and served with red pepper salsa and cilantro lime crema. A fried egg or avocado can be added to the waffle.
Reviewers rave about the Croque Monsieur. It is a grilled ham and gruyere cheese sandwich on fresh Kings Baking sourdough bread topped with béchamel sauce. It can be served with a fried egg. It is definitely meant to be given the fork and knife treatment.
All three of their sandwiches deserve their rave reviews, including the B. L. A. T, an ‘enhanced’ bacon, lettuce and tomato; the Chicken Salad Sammie; and the Prosciutto and Provolone.
Said one online reviewer of the B. L. A. T., “Perfectly balanced in both flavor and texture, August Sage’s BLT should give seminars on ‘How to B(e)L.T.’ Some people mess with the classics in a way that makes me feel like a certifiable Boomer. Like why are we deconstructing that, what is boba, black truffle say what? Thankfully, this BLT managed to honor the tried and true while also elevating it.”
Their Lite Bites include a Roasted Carrot Bowl that is both gluten-free and vegan. It contains avocado, onions, peppers, chickpeas, roasted carrots, quinoa, vegan mozzarella and green tahini sauce. Another vegan and gluten-free option includes the well-loved Roasted Beet and Carrot Salad. The salad includes mixed greens, roasted carrots, beets, feta, and roasted pepitas served with maple Dijon vinaigrette. Vegan cheese can be substituted to make the salad vegan. They also have a very tasty Pear and Fig Salad served with a honey and herb vinaigrette. Bacon can be added to this one.
Not only are they known for their food, but also their coffee bar offering a full complement of coffees and teas, as well as mixed drinks. The bar creates seasonal and signature drinks, such as the Liquid Sunshine which blends Sweet Tea Vodka with House-Made Lemonade, as well as beer and wine. Or try their non-alcoholic Recess Watermelon Mojito.
Not only is the food good and a unique blend of flavors, and the drinks refreshing, but the atmosphere is inviting. The restaurant was designed and built by Andrew Carlton. A skilled woodworker, he built all of the tables, benches, built-ins, the tile bar, the window wall, the concrete countertop and all of the charcuterie platters.
They have Trivia Nights every Wednesday night from 6:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m., as well as other events and activities like book clubs. Private events and catering are also available.
Located at 101 North James M. Campbell Boulevard, August Sage is open Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 8:00 a.m. until 8:30 p.m., Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m., Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. until 8:30 p.m., and Sundays 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. They can be reached at [email protected] or at (931) 505-8044. Check them out on Facebook and Instagram.
Subscribe to our FREE Newsletter!