Proud to be an American (restaurant). Or not.

Sage American Kitchen

Local nine-to-fivers looking for homemade breakfast pastries or midday soups and sandwiches keep this Long Island City spot going strong.

Proud to be an American?
The kitchen at Sage (26-21 Jackson Ave.) turns out down-home classics with a gourmet touch. Catering and event coordinator Leslie Nillson calls the pairing of tomato basil soup with a Cabot cheddar grilled-cheese sandwich “about as American as you can get.”

Spangled-star rating: 4
Sometimes even old standbys are better with a little modern twist and more wholesome ingredients.