'Top Chef' Alum Brings Treats to Toluca Lake

is the second eatery opened in Toluca Lake by a former Top Chef contestant.

Located a dozen blocks from Fabio Vivani’s (also a contestant on Season 5 of the popular reality food-competition show) upscale on Lankershim Boulevard is Chef Alex Eusebio’s quaint Sweetsalt Food Shop, housed in an old box store on Riverside Drive.

The intimate space is cozy with hardwood floors, marble and wood topped small tables. Seating is limited to eight indoor and six outdoor tables.

Daily specials of sandwiches, soups, salads and desserts are listed on a huge chalkboard. Most items on the menu are a combination of sweet and salty, as the name implies, and cost less than $10.

The braised short rib roll is a local favorite, with coffee-braised short ribs, onion, goat cheese, arugula and roasted garlic on a brioche bun.  On my last visit, I sampled the grilled cheese, a goey combination of manchego, gruyere and cheddar on toasted sourdough. It was paired with a nice fresh salad. I also ordered the citrus tomato soup, a hearty bowl with a touch of tangy lemon.

Other sweet and salty combinations include the lavender duck confit sandwich, pairing duck and onion with goat cheese and lavender honey. The Sweetsalt BLT includes roasted pear, goat cheese, bacon, lettuce and tomato. Vegetarians can choose from a wide assortment of salads, including the organic grain salad with fennel, couscous, green beans and quinoa.

Eusebio and his wife, Sara, offer tasty desserts on their artisanal menu. Brownies, bars and cookies will satisfy most cravings, but the menu also includes a “Pack Your Knives Crème Brulee,” a version of the dish that sent Eusebio packing on Top Chef.

Sweetsalt, 10218 Riverside Dr., Toluca Lake. Hours: Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.