On the whole, I try to be polite (except when you double-cross me in any way!). So when the mother of the girl I am a nanny for insisted that she take me out for a meal for my 28th birthday; I declined citing my desire to not impose. However, I had to pick up my paycheck and she texted to meet her at Sweetsalt because she "had to eat something". I don't lack intelligence and thus instantly knew that this was her "trick" to get me to enjoy a birthday meal. I have to admit: I am VERY glad for her deceiving act.
Sweetsalt is a charming cafe which can just as easily blend in to a small port town in Maine (with its Martha Stewart-esque clean lines and matte colors); as it does in trendy Toluca Lake. Although the decore is minimalist; it is welcoming, rustic, and yet fashionable at the same time. If the interior is too bland for your ambiance preferences; Sweetsalt offers a few outdoor tables, as well.
My "boss" and I were instantly welcomed when we stepped foot into the establishment. The baked goods didn't fail to capture my attention even though I rarely imbibe in sweet treats and the menu made me almost jump up and down in glee. Truffles, lobsters, shrimp, quinoa, pancetta, lavender duck... Sweetsalt has it all! Imagine a Panera Bread on steroids. The unique ingredients and combinations encourage not only gluttony but multiple visits.
I ordered the Truffle Chicken Sandwich (grilled chicken w/Gruyere cheese, tomato, mushrooms, herbs, and a truffle aioli -- $12) while my boss ordered the Champagne Chicken Salad (pulled chicken, grapes, celery, and cucumbers with a goat cheese and champagne dressing -- $10). The cashier (who was VERY knowledgeable) informed us that the baked goods are baked fresh daily and most of the ingredients are either local, organic, or both. Basically, a Whole-Foods nut would be quite pleased. While waiting for our orders, I got us some water from the self-serve cooler which is slightly odd (and uses small plastic cups but with no recycling bin!). I suppose that is expected however with no waiter service.
How was my sandwich? Well let's just say that I heard the angel chorus! I was going to skip the devil-carb ciabatta roll but simply couldn't help myself. The sandwich was large (perfect for sharing) and did not skimp on fillings. Generous slices of fattening Gruyere, shredded chicken, and mushrooms rang supreme while the truffle aioli danced on my taste buds. My only complaint was the texture of the aioli which made the inside of the bun a bit soggy (I thought the aioli would be thicker and instead looked like melted butter). The sandwich also came with a side of greens (with an unknown dressing) which perfectly complemented the flavors.
My boss's Champagne Chicken Salad was a bit of a surprise as we both expected an actual salad with toppings but received a chicken salad (like the spreadable kind) on a lettuce leaf. Despite this, the chicken was tender and flavorful, the grapes gave it a nice "pop" , and the dressing was light and yet hearty at the same time. Overall, the meal was amazing and leaves you feeling satisfied and not heavy with "bad food".
As my boss purchased a Salted Caramel Brownie for her daughter at home (lies! I know she ate it!); I was enticed by the Salted Caramel Macaron (Sweetsalt is the home of Salted Caramel treats). Salted Caramel and macarons are two things that even my diet-obsessed self can't resist. Plus, it was a birthday meal so I went for it! The macaron (also fresh-baked on location) was perfect. A crisp but tender meringue with a caramel buttercream and sprinkles of sea salt. It was not puny in size and certainly not lacking any flavor. If it only had a candle to blow out, it would have been perfect!
Service was excellent as our meal was prepared quickly and an associate had a box ready for my take-home portion before I even finished my request for one.
Sweetsalt may be a simple sandwich/salad establishment but the creativity, passion for ingredients, and flavor complements shine through. The menu begs for multiple visits, even if on a diet. Plus, they also sell Zapp's chips which I know nothing about but my boyfriend is in love with and says they are hard-to-find. So, although I try to be non-imposing; I am glad I was "tricked" into a meal at Sweetsalt. read more