Glover has opened Sage, an American-style bistro, at 2653 N. High St., and he said he believes it's the type of restaurant that Clintonville's been missing.

"I think there's a market here that needed satisfied with more options," Glover said. "I live around here, and I wanted to come to a place like this, but there wasn't one."

Sage, named after Glover's daughter, opened Tuesday after a private trial run this weekend.

The restaurant is Glover's first private venture. He spent the last five years working as executive chef of The Ohio State Faculty Club and previously worked at country clubs around central Ohio.

Glover said Sage's small menu reflects dishes he perfected while working in private kitchens.

"I'm bringing a lot of things that have done well privately to the public," he said.

Glover said he chose to go for a smaller menu, which he plans to change quarterly, to allow the restaurant's kitchen to focus on doing a few things well.

"What it will allow me to do is focus on the items on the menu and pay attention to detail," Glover said.

The dinner menu features several salads and Glover's specialties, including Blackberry scallops, seared scallops glazed with blackberry ketchup; sesame-crusted crab cakes; sage chicken and peppered strip steak.

Glover said each dish is made entirely in house.

Eventually, Glover said he plans to incorporate daily specials into his repertoire, and as the menu changes, he said it will reflect seasonal dishes.

Sage, open from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, also will feature a wine list and a martini happy hour from 5 to 7 p.m. each evening. The restaurant is open for Sunday brunch from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and the brunch menu includes a mimosa menu.

The brunch menu includes crème brulee French toast; a chorizo, black bean and sweet potato hash; crepes; and a mushroom and pancetta bacon frittata.

The interior restaurant has been completely remodeled to reflect the new use, Glover said.

Previously, the space housed the Kitchen Lounge. Glover said he added new carpet, a smaller bar and work by local artists to the space.

"We really spruced it up: cleaned it, changed the ambience," Glover said. "It had more of a diner feel. We're going for more upscale."

The restaurant, which seats 64 people, will be run by Glover's long-time friend, John Shepherd, who will assume the role of general manager.

With Shepherd running the daily operations and Glover manning the kitchen, Glover said he believes Sage is set up for success in providing a new style of menu to the Clintonville/University District area.

"I think I'm providing an option with good premium products," he said.

jnesbitt@thisweeknews.com