46 | BOROMAG.COM | APRIL 2015 FOOD & DRINK Lamb Belly with Birch Beer Glaze, Salsify, and Pumpkin Milk mrnilsson Story & Photos by Bradley Hawks You may already know Sage General Store as the home of the three-course bacon brunch that begins with a cheddar biscuit with bacon marmalade and ends with a double chocolate and bacon brownie capped with Jack Daniels whipped cream. But if you think you know the menu like the back of your hand, get ready for a pleasant surprise. The décor, cutlery, china, and even the napkin folding is now changing for dinner service with the arrival of Long Island City’s newest dinner pop-up—mrnilsson. The flare is Nordic, and the menu is focused around four and seven course tastings, as well as a meticulously crafted a la carte selection of small and large bites. “It’s a big change for the neighborhood,” explains owner Leslie Nilsson, “which thinks of us as comfort food—but I just wanted to do something different at night. It’s such a cozy, romantic place. And the people who have come for the tasting menus—man, you can feel the joy. They’re having such a refined, excellent experience right here in Long Island City.” She envisions Court Square to become a food destination, with such neighbors as M. Wells Steakhouse and LIC Market. “The original restaurant, Sage American Kitchen, was across the street on Jackson,” Nilsson recalls, “and just had three seats in the window.” They offered high end takeout with a catering kitchen in the back. In 2008, she opened Sage General Store at its present location. Shortly thereafter the recession hit hard— which, luckily, is when they appeared on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives. But after six successful years, Ms. Nilsson was itching for something to change. In terms of the bacon brunch, she smiles, “That’s not broken, so let’s not fix it.” Customers can still enjoy the charm of the General Store menu six days a week for breakfast and lunch. But when lunch service draws to a close, the paper plates are put
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