Opened in October, 2007, The Sage Hen is fairly new to Susanville, so we were excited to be invited to sample their wares. We arrived on a sunny, lazy Sunday afternoon and the cottage-like front porch filled with flowers and fresh herbs seemed to beckon “come on in”. The tiny and lovely Mama of this family owned and operated eatery, Miss Rita, greeted us at the door with menus and a prize winning smile. Rita met owner and Master Chef, Serge Marchale after her sons Joey and Josh starting working for The Sage Hen. They soon fell in love and are now living happily ever after. Daughter-in-law to be, Bekah, and son Dustin, also help keep The Sage Hen patrons full and happy. What a charming bunch! Their heartwarming story spills over into the homey decor. Roosters of ceramic stand guard over The Hen high above the entry fireplace and several decorative ships that belonged to Serge’s father, along with carved wooden birds and swordfish, grace the shelves that line
the main dining room. Dark burgundy walls, lace curtains and candlelit tables with perfectly creased linen napkins round out the “make yourself at home” feel this family strives to create. The dining fare is all homemade from the freshest and finest local ingredients available, but I’m certain it must be the pinch of hope and dash of love they add that puts The Sage Hen flavors hands above the rest. The purely organic and hormone free beef in the kitchen is exclusively from The 5 Dot Ranch just outside of town. Shortly after we were seated and nibbling on the 3 flavors of wonderful fresh baked bread, 5 Dot owner, Tom Swickard, and his family arrived to enjoy dinner as well. It isn’t often one gets to dine with the fellow that raised your ribeye. Thanks Tom! More local treasures came to our table when Rita served the Insalata Salad ($7.50), vine ripened heirloom tomatoes from the local farmers market topped with fresh mozzarella, Fresca basil and extra virgin olive oil. Sooo yummy. Our second appetizer was the Tender Crispy Fried Calamari with a delicious spunky
Chipolte Aioli($7). Our wine was also native Californian from the Iron Stone Winery in Murphys. I enjoyed the lightly sweet white Symphony ($8 a glass $24 a bottle) and my companion sipped a glass of the special Red Reservean, Old Vine Zin ($9 a glass and $32 a bottle). We must have spent half an hour savoring the first course. One of Serge’s famous 5 Dot Ribeyes ($18) broiled to medium rare perfection with a stout Burgundy mushroom sauce served with creamy mashed potatoes and fresh green beans was my dinner date’s superb entree choice. He swears to return for another. I decided to let Rita choose for me and was served a tender, juicy, melt in your mouth Braised Rabbit Special($20) with the same Burgundy mushroom sauce, smooth Yukon Gold potatoes, red peppers and green beans. I couldn’t have chosen better myself. Next time I think I’ll try Pan Seared Alaskan Halibut with Portabello Mushrooms($16). Doesn’t that sound delightful? Josh, Joey and Dustin are the dessert masters of the restaurant and treated us to a sample platter of all their favorites. Oh goodness, I was already stuffed but social graces demanded I try them all. (It’s my story, I can tell it like I want). The Carrot Cake was super moist and packed with nuts and raisins, Chocolate Whiskey Cake and Chocolate Cheese Cake were the chocoholics dream but my favorites (I couldn’t pick just one) were Rita’s own warm and sinful Pecan Sticky Buns and my personal weakness the crispy, creamy treat of the gods, Creme Brule. Our gluttonous dessert was served with Rita’s signature Dessert Martini from The Sage Hen’s full service bar; a coffee flavored, liquor cocktail topped with sweet cream and floating coffee beans. Can you believe I didn’t explode? Desserts and seafood specials change daily at The Sage Hen so you will have to drop in on Serge, Rita and the boys and see what they are serving up next time you are over Susanville way. Reservations are recommended for parties of 6 or more. Take out and a casual dinner menu with the old burger and pasta stand-bys are available for creatures of habit but I suggest the main dinner menu and trying something new. Neither menu has anything over a very reasonable $19. With prices like that I say we all visit The Sage Hen at 2975 Main St., Susanville, for breakfast, lunch or dinner and try everything, one tempting dish at a time.
