Business & Tech

The Sage Venue in Clearwater Prides Itself On 'Eatertainment'

The Sage Venue is now under the ownership of Vincent Fiore, a longtime restaurant worker and host of new TV show, The WiseGuy Kitchen. Check out his big plans for the Clearwater business.

New York native Vincent Fiore fell in love with downtown Clearwater when he took his son to visit the University of Tampa on a college visit. 

Fated to be in Florida for work, Fiore is also the host of the television show The WiseGuy Kitchen, which will air some episodes locally in Clearwater this fall.

Growing up and working in the restaurant business since age 12, Fiore knew he wanted to open his own place someday. Combining food and entertainment into what he calls “Eatertainment,” The Sage in downtown Clearwater is Fiore’s dream come alive.

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The Sage will officially open its doors with a ribbon-cutting ceremony set tentatively for Aug. 15. The venue offers an array of options for wedding parties, corporate businesses and anyone with a reason to celebrate.

The space itself holds more than 300 people and comfortable seats 250. The main floor will feature a stage for live entertainment that is visible from any vantage point.

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“I fell in love with the fact that it’s tiered. You’ve got three stories of seating and no matter where you sit you can see center stage,” Fiore said.

During the week, The Sage offers "Supper Club," which always features a type of show or live entertainment and a four-course meal. Fiore explains that instead of driving all over town, guests have a one-stop shop for their night out.

Weekends are reserved for weddings, anniversary parties and corporate events at any time of day. Fiore’s biggest selling point for events is an all-inclusive venue with no charge to rent the space.

Fare at The Sage is anything you want it to be. Fiore serves as executive chef, with each of his sous chefs specializing in different cuisines. Menus for events are customized according to likes, dislikes and budget.

"We've done one wedding that's all Italian [and another] all Russian wedding. We're doing a 50th anniversary party that's Southern Cooking and a Quinceañera that's all Spanish food" said Fiore.

Service is key at The Sage. Fiore’s experience working for several fine-dining restaurants in New York, citing Tavern on the Green as one of his first jobs as a teenager, has led him to adopt certain customer service tactics.

“It’s the little things. If somebody wants something I’ll do it [because] we’re in the customer service business” he said.

Fiore is also careful to hire personable, like-minded employees and treat them like family. He hires based some on experience but mostly on personality, asking himself, "Are we going to get along for eight to 10 hours in a day?"

“There’s many businesses I’ve worked for that treated [me] like an employee, paid [me] on Fridays and that’s it. I think we’re in the business of serving families so we have to act like a family.” 

If You Go

Sage Venue

22 N. Fort Harrison Ave., Clearwater

727-442-6100


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