A storied Los Angeles vegan restaurant, Sage Regenerative Kitchen, is set to close all of its remaining locations after over a decade. The news was quietly announced on Instagram, sparking a mixed reaction in the comments section.
The restaurant, formerly known as Sage Vegan Bistro, was a pioneer in the plant-based casual dining space with multiple locations across Southern California. However, in the spring of 2024, chef and owner Mollie Engelhart announced a shift in direction, incorporating animal proteins into their menus and focusing on regenerative farming practices.
This move was met with criticism from longtime vegan customers, with many taking to Instagram and Yelp to express their disappointment. Engelhart remained steadfast, stating that people are still eating meat everywhere and that high-quality, regeneratively raised meat is a more sustainable choice.
The comment section on Sage’s farewell post was filled with both grief and criticism, with some commenters accusing the restaurant of hypocrisy and others expressing sadness at the end of an era. PETA, an animal rights organization, left a prominent comment, saying the restaurant had been “cruel” and that customers had been “duped” by their initial vegan claims.
The restaurant’s Culver City location has already closed, and its Pasadena and Echo Park outlets will shut down on January 5. In their closing post, the company thanked customers for 14 years of support, while some commenters rejoiced, calling the closure a win for animals.