I don’t have the best luck with birthdays. I celebrated my 21st alone in a hotel room in Chicago, my 23rd arrived around the time of the second Mystery Misbehaving Toe surgery, and I spent my 24th at a forum called “Let’s Chat About Dying” before returning to an empty house. In addition, my birthday is National Sorry Day.
So it wasn’t that surprising when I came down with a virus the day before my 25th birthday last week. It also wasn’t surprising that when I started crying at 5am, after six hours of lying in bed feeling progressively more delirious and unwell, it was less about being sick than the fear of being unable to go to Sage for my birthday dinner.
Thankfully, not only did I make it to Sage, but my parents and I had a truly splendid night. A week later, I’m still swooning over the gorgeousness! the creativity! the deliciousness! the fact that my Mum almost disappeared into the couch, so great was her camouflage!
Upon being settled into our cozy corner of the restaurant by our charming waiter, we were served warm bread rolls and homemade butter topped with fancypants salt. The butter was so ethereally light in texture that “homemade” must have meant “whipped by fairies”. There were also aperitifs of burnt orange (for Dad) and passionfruit, citrus, and vodka (for Mum and me).
mushroom miso cappuccino: sundried tomato cracker, mushroom pesto
The above amuse bouche of mushroom miso cappuccino had an intoxicatingly earthy aroma and, while a tad salty, balanced well with the crisp crackers and marinated mushrooms.
beetroot variations: eucalyptus smoked trout, freeze dried mandarin, coriander
tuna & foie gras: sashimi, mojama, crackling, chervil, PX dressing
My Dad’s and Mum’s entrées (appetisers) were lovely, with vibrant fresh flavours accentuating the core ingredients. However, neither dish compared to the stunning aesthetics and inventiveness of mine:
honey peppered heirloom carrots: malt, yolk, ricotta, olive powder, brioche.
So pretty. Oh my. How? Everything. So pretty! Like a scene from the Brothers Grimm Fairy Tales! The cumin brioche was so delicate it dissolved in the mouth, the bruleed egg yolk melted into the sweet malt powder, and the salty olive dust, crisp cracker, and locally-grown carrots all held their own. Lovely, subtle, intriguing.
seared scallops & crispy chicken skin: roast pumpkin, yoghurt parfait, amaretti crumble, sage
muscovy duck: orange, carrot, pickled red cabbage, licorice
In this photo (thanks Mum!), you can see my parents’ main meals and our shared witlof salad: candied walnuts. Mum adored her choice, and the bite I had of scallops and pumpkin spoke of clear yet complex flavours. Dad was likewise impressed with his dish, and I loved the tangy-vinegar kick to his red cabbage.
But, again, my dish reigned supreme. Supreme! Oh yes.
artichokes: textures of globe & Jerusalem artichokes, hazelnut, kale, sherry
Word cannot express how much I loved this vegetarian (so close to vegan!) main. The globe artichokes were pickled-then-fried, with a glorious crunchy tang. The pan-fried Jerusalem artichokes were nutty-creamy-delicious, the kale was oh! kale! wonder!, and the sherry hazelnut dressing and creamy artichoke puree brought everything together into a please-don’t-end-let-me-scrape-the-plate whole.
I would almost have been satisfied to end at this point, without dessert. But that’s a lie, because we all know how I feel about dessert.
rhubarb & raspberry: quinoa crunch, crème brulee foam, rose petals
chocovado: chocolate cremeux, hazelnut cocoa crumble, lemon gel, avocado cream
I sweet-talked my parents into ordering the two desserts I wanted to try (apart from what what I myself ordered). After all, it was my birthday, right? I barely had a chance to try Mum’s raspberry and rhubarb dessert, so keen was she on it. I was mightily impressed by Sage’s spin on a chocolate dessert, not only for the gorgeous plating but because the avocado cream tasted undeniably of lemon-infused avocado. On its own, it was quite savoury, but worked beautifully against the sweet chocolate mousse.
But, people, nothing compared to my dessert. Nothing.
autumn scenery: chestnut log, chocolate branches, malt, apple sauce
Chestnut desserts, light of my life! I was stunned by this dessert even before I started tasting it. I loved, loved it. The centerpiece was the luscious chestnut mousse log, topped with a fresh hazelnut, toffee shard, and chocolate branches. Scattered around the plate were the equally-delicious-and-heavenly chocolate cookie pieces, maple syrup drizzles, smooth and fresh apple puree, nutty crumble, malt ice cream and, last but not least, caramelised chestnuts.
There are no words; this dessert made my heart soar. So much goodness. It was the perfect end to a dinner that made my birthday feel truly celebratory.
I must give a big shout-out to our wonderful waiter, who overheard that it was my birthday and arranged two birthday treats. The first was a glass of Valdespino El Candado Pedro Ximinez, which blew my mind with its lingering sweet notes of chocolate and toffee. The second was the glowing candle that arrived with my dessert, and the firm order that I make a wish before blowing it out.
I can’t tell you my wish, of course. In truth, it was less a straight wish than a jumble of thoughts, feelings, words, and hopes. I have faith that The Wish Powers That Be understood me, though. And I thank my parents, and Sage, for a most wonderful night.
P.S. Find my last review of Sage here.
So glad you got to enjoy your birthday this time around! And that food looks just gorgeous! What a treat!!
Happy belated
Thank you Gabby
Happy birthday!
Happy birthday! Sage looks amazing, and you deserve all the amazingness in the world
Oh, thank you Sophie!
Happy, Happy Birthday!
In your honor I stuffed my mouth with Australian Mango licorice. That doesn’t really live up to the occasion but apart from Vegemite this is as Australian as I can get right now.
I’m glad that came across your blog. Always something to look forward to!
And your comments, Elisabeth, are without fail something for me to look forward to
I’ve yet to try Mango Licorice! Is it worth it?
Mango Licorice. If you like mango, and if you like it very very sweet and very sticky between your teeth and gums, then it is worth to try it. I rather leave this stuff to my kids. But I wanted to toast you, and this was the only thing that I could think off last night. But I got myself a Lindt Excellence “A Touch of Sea Salt” today. And I ate a big chunk to celebrate your birthday. That was much more appropriate, although it is not comparable to a chestnut log. Oh, I love chestnuts in all forms and shapes. And the picture with you in front of the dessert plate with the excitement of a little girl that finds a beautiful doll under the Christmas tree is just gorgeous!Dessert plate and birthday girl compliment each other!
Ah, I think I shall pass on the licorice then! Mango and super-sweet aren’t quite my favourite things, but I do so appreciate that you toasted me
And that you like the Lindt chocolate. High five for chestnut love! I still dream, dream, dream of the Mont Blanc I had in a fancy patisserie in Japan, which came with gold flakes on top…
Teehee, I did feel a bit like a child finding a much-desired toy!
Oh my, they certainly know how to present their dishes don’t they?! Glad to hear you had a nice birthday dinner in amongst everything else … hope you’re improving (either that or the couch has swallowed you whole and taken you somewhere magical, Alice-style).
The stupid couch spat me right back out into work and more work. Mean evil couch! But thankfully I’m feeling much better, so I can cope with it a bit better now
Happy happy happy birthday Hannah!
May the following year be filled with magic, fairies, unicorns, handstands and beautiful food.
Thank you Em! I can definitely ensure the last two, and will trust in the universe to give me the first three
Wow Hannah. The only thing more magnificent than the fabulous birthday dinner you had at Sage is the mouth-watering description of each course you have given to us all.
Thank you Mike! It’s nerve-wracking giving descriptions sometimes, particularly as I don’t want the post to get too long and bore everyone!
Oh
No
Hannah!
Your reviews
Are never boring.
You do love Fibonnaci.
wow!!!!
Everything looks so perfect! (especially YOU x)
Oh, you!
xoxo
How fittingly glorious! Am very occasionally suspicious of restaurants who serve up dustings and sprayings and sprinklings of things but – and I’m not just saying this – your account shows that Sage knows exactly what they’re doing with flavours and textures, everything looks just wonderful. So glad to hear you came right just in time! And I hope the second wish is more true than true and just waiting infuriatingly but rightly, for the best time to happen.
You are a precious flower in my life, did you know that, Laura? Thank you. I hope the universe shares your view of my wish
xoxo
Birthdays are hard to get right but when they work they are brilliant! Glad to hear such happy reports of yours. And you were the true birthday queen with all those fantastic course (I probably would have wanted to share them because they look so good) – though I notice they don’t have plates at Sage – more like canvases for the food artwork!
That’s a gorgeous way to describe the plating, Johanna! And oh, it was lovely that Sage didn’t focus only on the aesthetics, but the taste too
Oh, that’s quite a few lacklustre birthdays. I’m so glad you were able to drag yourself out of bed for this delicious meal. It sounds like you had such a special night. I love the presentation of all this food – it all looks fabulous xx
Thank you dear! It was a most lovely night indeed.
Oh, you and your fam are just adorable! Happiest birthday to you! The food looks incredible! I turned 30 this year and we were in Lima, Peru on the day. My husband took me out for an incredible meal and I swear I will remember every dish forever. So pleased that you recovered and felt well enough to enjoy your special day!
Your birthday totally wins 2012
What a fabulous, fabulous birthday and memory to have! I’ve yet to make it to South America. One day 
(And thank you!)
Happy, Happy Birthday to you!!! i am so glad you were able to celebrate it properly.
Everything looks incredible… mushroom cappuccino, cumin brioche… and that dessert!
Dessert wins forever, of course.
Happy Birthday!
I understand the birthday curse. Mine doesn’t always strike on my birthday but usually the whole of the month is reasonably crappy. Seriously, October has it in for me.
But on a happy note, I’m glad to see you had such a yummy dinner. Sage had a bit of a disappointing reputation a few years ago, it is good to see that it has had a resurgence.
I think Sage changed owners 2-3 years ago?
Maybe it’s the shadow of Halloween looming over you? Here’s to a gorgeous October this year, to make up for lacklustre past birthday months! As for Sage, I’ve only been in the past year, but am glad to hear it’s upped its game!
Happy birthday again! Dinner looks wonderful – especially the artichoke dish. And a little PX does wonders for health, I say. So glad you got to enjoy your birthday – having dramas just makes them that much more memorable! Who wants boring inanity
Exactly! Talking about death and the physical process a body goes through when dying is far better than borining inanity!
(That’s probably true, actually. At least I remember my birthday this way. O Helen, you are wise like an owl!)
Happy birthday Hannah. It’s good to know you’re feeling a little better. That meal just looks gorgeous.
Thank you Gary!
oooo FANCY pants salt. YUM.
Dude, that all looks incredible!
Well, no one wants just pants salt, do they?
SO GOOD. I totally reckon Sage could make a vegan feast, if asked nicely!
Happy happy birthday! For someone so young, you’ve achieved so much and your writing (and fans here) are a true testament to that.
I’d eat the entire menu there, but give the foi gras to Love Chunks.
….and dare I say that the candle in your desert made a submarine immediately spring to mind? Up periscope!
Oh Kath! You’ve made my breath catch in my throat. I’ve been doubting myself, lately, on several levels, so thank you for your words, so much.
Up periscope indeed! You’re absolutely right about the submarine, and now I’m seeing all the blobs and lines and textures around the dessert-submarine as different deep-sea creatures swimming alongside it.
Happy Birthday! Very happy you were well enough to make it to dinner
Those dishes all look very pretty, I will have to visit that restaurant the next time I go to Canberra!
The dishes there look similar in style to Embrasse, one of my favourite restaurants in Melbourne, and a definite contender if you ever have a celebration meal in Melbourne!
PS those Voss water bottles are awesome!
Thank you Sarah! Oh yes, you must visit Sage next time you’re here! And take me with you. Particularly the last part
I always think of Sage when people say that Canberra doesn’t have the same calibre of restaurant as Melbourne or Sydney. The plating slays me. And now I shall have to try Embrasse, most certainly! Oh, if only my work-trip to Melbourne tomorrow didn’t involved finishing work at 8:30pm and having to leave for the airport the next day before 8am! *shakes fist at sky*
Oh, I am so very, very glad you had this night – it sounds just perfect, and perfect for undoing some of the ills (quite literally, this year) that the birthday gods seem to bestow on you.
I am also blown away by how pretty these dishes are – the desserts especially, but everything really. I want to climb into the photos just to see it in person!
Thank you Kari. The birthday gods do know how to dole out small mercies
Oh, I know, isn’t it fabulous? Canberra has many wonderful high end restaurants, but none plate as gorgeously as Sage does!
Gosh I thought this was shaping up to be a sad post but you really turned the tables! What a great celebration and incredibly gorgeous food. I’m sure it helped with your recovery? Hope so xx
Teehee, this was actually just before the flu really picked up steam, so in truth I’m utterly grateful it was as manageable as it was at this point! So glad I didn’t have to cancel and miss out on the deliciousness
Happy birthday! All that food looks way too gorgeous to eat, but I hope it was lovely!
There’s so much pressure for birthdays to be good! Have you thought of the upside though of having crappy birthdays? Writing a book about it! Apart from this one, you could write about your other birthdays and it could be called “Sh*t birthdays you’re glad you didn’t have”
Brilliant idea! Now I have to start plotting how to make next year’s birthday spectacularly terrible. Man, I’m going to write the strangest book if I take everyone’s suggestions over the years into account…
Happy belated birthday my friend!!! You deserve all this and more – every birthday from now on has to be perfect for you and it’s cool you have it on national sorry day because everyone around you is sorry it’s not their birthday when they see you having fun
Cheers
CCU
Bahahaha!! Love your interpretation! Thanks dear!
It was a truly lovely night. With excellent company and great food, how could one go wrong?
Exactly, heart and soul! Thank you (and Dad) for helping me celebrate with such deliciousness and love. And for letting me crash at your place after, even if you did force me to be the designated driver.
xo
Happy Birthday (again) dear Miss. Early and late, that’s my style.xx
And your style is perfect, because it makes my birthday last longer
xo
Happy Happy Birthday for last week and so glad you were able to celebrate. I’ll be celebrating my 40th on Wednesday with Indian take-away and cookies n cream ice cream. Oh the joys of living in rural bliss!
Thank you Jo! Happy 40th for Wednesday! In truth, Indian take-away and ice cream sounds blissful to me, particularly if they are served snuggled up on the couch in front of a favourite movie/tv show
My Hannah – I’m glad you had a glorious birthday celebration. It looks like quite a feast. We are so lucky in this world that you’re here, spreading joy, lighting hearts and encouraging chocolatiers to continue producing.
xoxox
Oh darlingheart! Thank you! Also, I talked about you over dinner this night; did you feel your ears burning sometime between 4am and 6am on Saturday morning? I think it was even before the kale came. xo
Of all the restaurant reviews you’ve given (and all the crazy-looking food I’ve been wowed by), this review takes the chestnut log for most delicious-looking and innovative. How do they do it?! That chocovado is an insane work of art! They’re generous with their scallop portioning! Your mother is a great camouflager!
Were there mushrooms in the cappuccino?
I recommend to the universe that part of your birthday wish allow you to figure out your travel issues, and then come to Maine. Because although we may not be hip like the big cities, Portland supposedly has the most restaurants per capita in America, or something like that. We could maybe find something crazy delicious-looking like this food:)
Happy birthday again!
EMMA EMMA I CANNOT GO ANY FURTHER BEFORE SAYING THE FOLLOWING:
I’ve been reading/responding to everyone’s comments, and realised that no one had mentioned my mum’s camouflage. As I thought this, another thought popped into my mind simlutaneously: “Emma will. Emma will comment on that part of the post. I know she will.”
Bahahaha! You have brought great joy to my heart! Also, I’m so relieved you didn’t let me down
Oh yes, I’ve never experienced plating quite as overwhelmingly gorgeous as at Sage! There was porcini mushroom powder (I think) atop the cappuccino, but all we could really taste was salty miso.
I can’t divulge my birthday wish but, Emma dear, you just keep an eye out on this blog in comings days/weeks. You just keep watch. xo
IMAKEEPWATCH!! You just watch me keep watch. You just watch me watching you watch me keeping watch. HA!
And for as long as you blog, I will be here to comment on your mum pictures. Because I am… keeping watch.
This is just awesome, seriously. When I took that photo, I told them about your question on the Lark Hill post about whether the arm or the reflection was Mum. Oh how we laughed!
I was mentioned in REAL LIFE?!? Eeeee!
For serious! You’re a Real Girl now! Like Pinocchio, but without the lying or the nose!
This made me laugh so hard!
I am now picturing the Headless Camouflager laughing… it’s a difficult feat, but this is what I’ve been training for!
Because you’re keeping watch!
P.S. Love you headless Mum!
I’m very glad you had a wonderful birthday! You deserve it!
Thank you darling! If you like, you could send down some sunshine for my gift?
We only just got the sun back after a miserably rainy week, but I’ll see if Australia Post can bring some down for you. Though I don’t think the sun can compete with that chestnut log, so maybe you should just go back for another one of those.
Fine, fine. I’ll stop asking you to control the weather and focus on more dessert instead
What a wonderful dinner of deliciousness. I’m so pleased that you were well enough to go, and appreciate it. It looks so fab. I’ve definitely just discovered where I’ll be dining when I next visit your fair city.
Hurrah!! So worth it, Louise! I think you should come visit very soon.
I hope you are feeling better and am glad that being sick did not interfere with your birthday plans. Happy Birthday!
Thank you Tracy! Sickness must never interfere with dessert.
I just wanted to say a late happy birthday and that I hope you are feeling better.
Thank you Fiona
such pretty arrangements!! this looks like such a glorious outing
Happy belated Birthday!
That dinner looks great! And I also love chestnut desserts…. something I eat even out of season. We always have frozen chestnut purée in our freezer.
I am so envious of your freezer. Can I live inside it, please?
Yes! I want to live in there too. Given that it’s supposed to be summer here but I was wearing a hat yesterday, it won’t be much of a seasonal change.
This confuses me, because summer is exactly when you’re supposed to wear a hat to avoid the sunburn? Or do you mean something like a beanie, that keeps your brain snuggly?
I mean the hat I wear in winter :/
How quaint! A winter hat!
Happy Birthday sweetheart xoxo Dinner looks amazing
Thank you Leah! It truly was
Such beautiful food! And you’re right that chestnut desserts are the bestest.
Happy Birthday Miss Lady!
Thanks darling! Long live chestnuts.
I’m so glad your 25th birthday was a happy one.
The first photo makes me laugh because I think: “It’s my birthday and I’ll wear a summer dress if I want to”, despite the fact it was a freezing day!
I’d be in a scarf like your mum, although I’m sure I wouldn’t have the talent to camouflage with the furniture! Well done to your mum.
Happy Birthday Hannah
Wow what an epic meal! I like all the dishes especially the mushroom miso soup and the DESSERT 
WOW! I love it all!
You looked beautiful too in that dress
Thanks Daisy! It was not only epic, but epically good.
Gemini babies!!! whoop whoop. Happy Birthday to you
All the cool kids are Geminis.
awe so happy you had such a sparkling meal
food looks ridiculously good!! Hope you’re all better now?!?
Heidi xo
Mostly! Also, I’m in Melbourne tonight! But only got to my hotel after 8pm and have to leave so early I can’t even have a nice breakfast tomorrow, boo! Wish you could come hang out in my swankypants hotel room! xo
Happy belated birthday, dear Hannah!!! Aw, I loved the pic of you flushing with joy from the dessert. I’m so glad you had a great dinner. I don’t have the best history of birthdays either. Hope my 25th is as fabulous as yours.
Thank you Sophia! I’ll cross my fingers for a wonderful 25th for you too. In truth, you should aim for something better than mine, as I spent the majority of it on the couch nursing lemon honey tea and spacing out panadols!
Happy belated birthday!! Someday, I wish I could be there to celebrate with you- and you know I’d bring a cake.
We’ll make it happen. We will, we will. I can’t go much longer without a Hannah-made cake (and ice cream…
), this I know to be true.
Happy Birthday Hannah, I am so pleased that you had a wonderful birthday this year. I loved the photos of your meal. I really want to go to Sage now, it looked amazing.
Thank you Karen! I really appreciate it. And I hope Sage treats you just as well if/when you visit.
I’m so happy you were back on your feet on your birthday, and could go to that wonderful restaurant with your parents! The foods look like artwork for me, and the way it is served on those dark stone (?) plates – I wonder if they not only have cooks but also food designers there!
Happy belated birthday to you!
Teehee, in truth it was after my birthday that I lost my feet, so to speak, so it’s more being grateful that my body held out for just that night
Oh, absolutely, the plating at Sage is breath-taking. Chefs are clearly artists sometimes!
What a meal! Happy birthday, my dear
Thank you Gena
When you come visit me, we’ll ask Sage to create a vegan feast. I’m sure they’ll be up for it.
Pingback: Sage at Braddon Ping @wayfaringchoc | Yummy Lummy
Pingback: The Hyatt Hotel’s Buffet Extravaganza: Grandpa’s Birthday - Wayfaring Chocolate
Happy belated birthday Hannah!! that food looks divine and properly fitting for an occasion as special as your birthday!! Ohhh those desserts….if I ever manage to get to Canberra I’m heading straight there. No stops.
Straight. There.
You liar! You naughty liar! When you manage to make it to Canberra, you’re heading straight TO ME and then to Sage. WITH ME. Because Canberra = me. OKAY?