We recently had the chance to try the January 2025 Gourmet Menu at Sage Restaurant in The Gardens Mall, Kuala Lumpur which is nestled on the 6th floor of The Gardens Residences (also accessible via The Gardens Mall) in Kuala Lumpur. Sage Restaurant & Wine Bar offers a dining experience that is both refined and inviting. The restaurant underwent a major renovation in 2023 and reopened in 2024 with a whole new contemporary and classy look.

Upon entering Sage, you’re immediately struck by the minimalist elegance of the space. The bar with it’s signature lighting piece is the perfect place to start with some pre-dinner drinks. The main dining room has remarkably even lighting, with warm lighting that makes it suitable for photos. It can comfortably accommodate up to 60 guests, ensuring a spacious and distanced setting, perfect for intimate gatherings, business meetings, or romantic date nights.

For those seeking an extra touch of privacy, the restaurant also boasts two newly renovated private dining rooms, one capable of hosting 10 to 20 guests, and the other comfortably seating 6 to 10 diners, all while overlooking a serene Japanese-inspired garden.

At the helm of Sage’s kitchen is Head Chef Don John Sta Maria, whose culinary expertise shines through in every dish. With over 18 years of experience, including stints at renowned establishments like Cilantro Restaurant & Wine Bar and Le Petit Chef, Chef Don John brings a wealth of knowledge and creativity to Sage’s menu.

Chef Don John’s commitment to working with local farmers and fishermen is evident in the menu, which skillfully blends imported premium ingredients with local produce. This approach not only ensures freshness but also supports the local community – a philosophy that resonates with the modern, conscious diner.

“Respect the ingredients and honest cooking. Always put yourself in the guest’s shoes.”

Chef Don Jon, Head Chef of Sage Restaurant

The Gourmet Menu is priced at RM418 nett and takes diners through several thoughtfully prepared courses. We also opted to add on 5-glasses wine pairing for an additional RM288 which elevates the whole experience.

The evening began with an amuse bouche that helped set the tone for the meal to come. As always, the amuse bouche at Sage featured premium ingredients like caviar and provided a burst of flavours and a hint of the rest of the dishes to come.

This was followed by a roasted Jerusalem artichoke soup that really stood out. The soup had a silky texture and natural sweetness that you get from properly roasted artichokes. The Parmesan foam added a nice touch of richness without being heavy, and the winter truffle brought an earthy depth to the dish. It was a warming and hearty start to the meal.

The second course featured slow-cooked abalone with seaweed butter. While abalone can sometimes be challenging to prepare (and can end up rather tough), the kitchen handled it well. The texture was tender with just the right amount of bite, and the seaweed butter provided a subtle oceanic flavour that complemented the shellfish nicely. The dish showed restraint – allowing the natural flavour of the abalone to shine through rather than overwhelming it with too many competing elements.

After a refreshing granite that helped clean the palate, diners can choose from four main course options. I opted for the charcoal grilled Wagyu beef with black garlic aioli, which arrived with a beautiful crust while maintaining a perfect medium-rare centre. The black garlic aioli added a sweet-savoury note that worked well with the beef’s natural richness.

She opted for the Maine lobster pasta in a cognac crustacean sauce which saw generous portions of lobster meat atop angel hair pasta. This dish was bursting with umami flavours of the lobster with hints of sweetness from the cognac sauce. Of course, I had to help myself to some of it and I can say that it was a truly an outstanding and memorable dish!

(Other main course options include pan-roasted Atlantic cod with Café de Paris butter and charred broccolini, or the hay-smoked Australian lamb with rosemary and garlic mash.)

For dessert, you can choose between their take on a Poire Belle Hélène or a cheese course. She had the Poire Belle Hélène, which featured perfectly poached pears with chocolate and, surprisingly, winter truffle. The truffle actually worked quite well here, adding an unexpected earthy note that complemented both the sweet pears and rich chocolate. The truffle appears throughout several courses on the menu, adding a seasonal touch to the experience without feeling forced.

For those with a penchant for savoury finales, the 3 Type Cheese platter offered a selection of artisanal cheeses, each with its own unique character and accompanied by complementary accoutrements.

Sage’s location in The Gardens Mall might not be where you’d expect to find a fine dining restaurant, but they’ve created a nice atmosphere in a hidden corner on Level 6 of the mall that helps you forget you’re in a shopping center. The lighting is warm and pleasant, and the tables are well-spaced enough to allow for comfortable conversation. The service was attentive without being overbearing, and the pacing of courses felt just right – no long waits between dishes, but also no feeling of being rushed.

If you’re looking for a special dinner in Kuala Lumpur, Sage offers a solid fine dining experience that manages to feel both special and comfortable. While the price point puts it firmly in special occasion territory for most diners, the quality of ingredients and preparation makes it a worthwhile splurge for those interested in this style of dining. The menu shows good technique and creativity while staying grounded in flavours that actually work together, rather than just trying to be different for the sake of it.

Sage Restaurant is located at Level 6, The Gardens Residences, The Gardens Mall, Lingkaran Syed Putra, Mid Valley City, 59200 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

To make a reservation, Whatsapp: +6016-775 7160 or call +603-22681328 or book online at https://www.tableapp.com/partner/sage-restaurant-and-wine-bar-kl#/

Operating hours: Lunch 12pm-3pm (Mon-Sat), last call 2.30pm | Dinner 6pm-10pm (Mon-Sat), last call 9.30pm | Closed on Sundays

Photos shot by the author using the Vivo X200

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Sage Restaurant has a special Valentine’s Day menu curated by Chef Don Jon available this 14 and 15 February 2025, priced at RM488 per pax.