Sage French Cafe

In a shopping center on Federal Highway, this cozy bistro offers soft lighting and original art on its brick walls. Colorful leatherette chairs complement the warm wood tables. The cuisine includes classic rustic French dishes: onion soup, pate, quiche, coquilles St. Jacques, duck sausage cassoulet, and bourride - a seafood stew. A solid crepe menu accompanies the nice brunch list - pain perdu, salad Paradis (a fruit salad topped with frozen yogurt), eggs Sardou, and a carved roast. Dessert crepes, crème brûlée, and apple tart, plus a chocolate cake, round out the dessert menu. Critics gripe about uneven service, but legions of fans lament there aren't more Sages elsewhere. (There's one in Hollywood too.)