Leslie Danelian and husband Rick Berge have really outdone themselves since opening Sweet Butter Kitchen in November of 2010. If you’re from the area originally, or if you’ve lived here for a number of years, you’ll probably remember Leslie’s Sweet Somethings Catering Company in Sherman Oaks. If you don’t, or if you haven’t lived here long enough to remember it, don’t worry because Leslie has taken her nearly twenty years of culinary experience and planning expertise and has created Sweet Butter Kitchen.
Having become the hot spot to lunch with friends, enjoy breakfast and brunch with family, or sip from a bottle of wine brough from home with a 6 PM dinner on the table-lined sidewalk, Sweet Butter Kitchen is the place to relax, enjoy, and indulge in what Leslie and her staff have to offer.
Designed by talented creative artist Carrie Vose, the eatery offers convenient seating outdoors along the front of its pale-yellow exterior on Ventura Boulevard and continues around the corner on Matilija Avenue. Complete with mounted heaters hovering overhead for chilly evenings and built-in misters for warmer days, we don’t think the owners of Sweet Butter Kitchen could have put more thought into the comfort and well-being of their customers. With sizeable bistro tables surrounding the restaurant’s perimeter and a cozy courtyard for additional dining, Sweet Butter Kitchen offers even more surprises when you walk into their market to place your order.
As you enter through the beautifully crafted wrought iron gate with the letters “SB” conveniently positioned on them, you feel as though you are walking into a quaint welcoming indoor garden. There are ample amounts of fresh herbs growing from unique hanging baskets, encouraging hand-written quotes and sayings everywhere you look, little notes of encouragement written on small chalkboard displays placed intricately here and there, and tiny white lights strung overhead in the courtyard. An enormous chandelier hangs from the rafters over the interior courtyard made of fastened branches adorned with tiny white lights. And all the walls are a calming light hue of yellow…the same color of sweet butter.
The indoor market features a plethora of tempting and savory goodies. From hand-selected artisan items like themed shaped pastas to intriguing books, candies and Sweet Butter Kitchen logoed tote bags. Bottled sodas and other intricate tidbits will make you smile along the way or make someone else’s day when you present them with a Sweet Butter Kitchen gift carefully wrapped by the staff!
A massive, framed chalk board menu hangs prominently on a wall inviting curious customers to ponder what they are in the mood for from the kitchen, while individually laminated menus are available to study a little closer while standing in line. Selections include such delectable offerings as unique sandwiches, mouthwatering wraps, fresh salads, warm soups, noteworthy pastries, tasty muffins, savory breads and so much more. Most items are served all day, while some are only available until 10:30 AM.
Only the freshest ingredients are used when preparing meals for customers at Sweet Butter Kitchen, so sometimes a few select provisions won’t be available every day. But most of the time they are. Simple napkins and silverware are held by steel cut oatmeal cans, and instead of handing each customer a “numbered” table marker for their server to locate them when their food is ready from the kitchen, handed out are marker stands holding the name of an herb, spice or vegetable instead. They have just thought of everything down to the last detail.
Sweet Butter Kitchen’s breakfast menu affords such delicious options as scrumptious omelets, traditional scrambles, California breakfast burritos and chilled refreshing parfaits. Starting at 11:00 AM, the kitchen serves lunch. Such middle-of-the-day fares include crispy fried chicken, flavorful sliders, tender grilled chicken, and afternoon snacks for kids (and adults, too!) There are even convenient boxed lunches for on-the-go takeaways.
Take-out orders are convenient and the team at Sweet Butter Kitchen is available for catering jobs as well. There’s a weekday menu as well as a weekend menu. All fresh. All the time. Don’t forget Sweet Butter Kitchen also presents an array of solutions to calm your sweet tooth as well. Have your pick from the amazing selection of options like fresh-made scones, scrumptious cookies, moist layer cakes, candies and other sinful treats. And if you love afternoon tea, Sweet Butter Kitchen offers Afternoon Teatime between 2 P.M. and 6 P.M. by reservation.
If you haven’t been to Sweet Butter Kitchen and experienced the level of unparalleled customer service, friendly neighborhood vibe and memorable cuisine, it’s definitely time to do so. You’ll be happy that you did. And maybe you’ll leave with a little something special for yourself or someone else from the Sweet Butter Kitchen market to remember it all!
ESTABLISHMENT / DECOR: Professionally designed by artistic consultant, Carrie Vose, Sweet Butter has the essence of the perfect neighborhood bakery, eatery and marketplace. Calming yellows, rich chocolate brown highlights and intricate wrought iron and other details enhance the already near-perfect establishment. Charming and fun, you won’t be disappointed with what you find here.
FOOD / DRINK: Simply exceptional! Our group hasn’t has a meal we haven’t liked since our first time at this establishment. We don’t know how they do it! Wonderful refreshing iced tea with complimentary refills in addition! Give the staff at Sweet Butter a call to learn about their daily specials!
LOCATION: Sweet Butter is located at 13824 Ventura Boulevard in Sherman Oaks, CA 91423.
HOURS: Sweet Butter is open 8 AM to 7 PM seven days a week (summer hours), unless otherwise stated. Be sure to give them a call before you stop by in the event of early closing for special events or private parties.
SERVICE / STAFF: Friendly, genuinely happy, helpful and professional staff at Sweet Butter. Very impressive no matter what day of the week we visit…always consistent!
PRICE / VALUE: Incredible ambiance, terrific friendly neighborhood vibe and amazing gourmet cuisine at this quaint cozy establishment. Very happy to be a regular here!
CORKAGE: NO CORKAGE CHARGE at Sweet Butter any time of day! We were so delighted to find this out! Bring your wine from home or your wine locker and Sweet Butter will welcome your libations either inside their courtyard area or at any of their sidewalk tables!
CONTACT INFO: Phone: (818)-788-2832, Website: www.sweetbutterkitchen.com
Please note, all information for this establishment may have changed or the eatery may have been permanently closed since the article’s publication.