Sweet Butter Kitchen

After being across the pond, I realized that the British don't do salad (and many other things) like we Americans do.  I'm sorry, but "rocket" lettuce (British version of arugula) and a few cherry tomatoes, drowning in salad dressing is not exactly what I'm looking for in a hearty salad.  Maybe they, like most countries, find hearty salads an oxymoron.  All I know is that for five months, I felt very vegetable-deprived.  That's why when I met up with two of my good law school buddies for brunch upon my return, I ordered one heaping plate of greens, sprinkled with reds, yellows, and whites.

Grilled Vegetable Salad - $12.75

Sometimes it seems odd to be paying more than $10 for a salad or even borderline wrong when the price of the salad is the same, or even more, than a price of a juicy hamburger.  But other times, it is very necessary for your body to eat the fruits (and veggies) of our natural earth, while givinghomage to our ancestral "gatherers" who never got enough props as their "hunter" counterparts.

This grilled veggie salad has it all: Mixed greens, asparagus, corn, and zucchini, all grilled perfectly and topped with sliced avocado, tomatoes, and chunks of chevre cheese.  The house vinaigrette is good, but you may not need more than a tiny drizzle.  The avocado and grilled veggies provide enough moisture and texture to the salad to forego the dressing altogether.

For those who would don't love salads like I do, there is also a wide selection of sandwiches, too.  This Yoga sandwich on Rustic Millstone bread is stuffed with dressed arugula, tomatoes, housemade white bean spread, and meaty avocado slices.  Healthy and delicious!

Yoga sandwich with avocado - $9.75

If salads and sandwiches don't speak to your heart (or your appetite), there are even still more options on the menu such as soups, breakfast dishes, and Intelligentsia coffee.

This place reminds me a lot of Coral Tree Cafe, but with prices much too high for the Valley.  Still, if you're in the area and hungry for some fresh food, give Sweet Butter Kitchen a try!


cuisine: American
location: Sherman Oaks
websites: { SBK | yelp }
attire: Casual
parking: street or valet in the back