Julienne finally has some competition in San Marino. Dora Liang opened Sweet & Savory on May 7 in a 750-square foot chunk of stationary store, complete with courtyard seating. The longtime San Marino resident thought there was a need for a more casual, kid-friendly place with al fresco dining. She designed the “modern, chic, non-intimidating” space with a blue and chocolate color scheme. She also added pictures of the street, “so when people walk in, they feel very comfortable because it’s like a window out on the city.”

For breakfast, lunch and takeout dinner, Liang is offering “modern American comfort food,” modernized takes on food that people ate in the ’50s and ’60s. These are all Liang’s recipes, and she recruited a pool of chefs from Le Cordon Bleu to prepare them.

At lunch, the biggest sellers are the cashew curry chicken salad, a variation on Chinese chicken salad called Dora’s Crunchy Chicken Salad, miso-glazed salmon, and a “killer mac and cheese” with Gruyere, Parmigiano and cheddar. You’ll also find single-serving meatloaves with house-made mashed potatoes.

Sweet & Savory also houses a full bakery. “We make the best red velvet cake in town, if not Southern California,” says Liang. “We only make four kinds of cakes. We do a great carrot cake, blackout cake – a special kind of chocolate cake with chocolate pudding in the middle – and a great poundcake with banana. Muffins that are crusty outside and buttery inside.” She also described “coffee cakes that are rich and moist that last you three or four days.” You’ll also find chewy oatmeal cookies with golden raisins, cranberries and apricots. If you’re looking for coffee, they source beans from Intelligentsia.

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5 Comments

1. MyLastBite, June 25, 2009:

   “We make the best red velvet cake in town, if not Southern California,” says Liang.

   Ooh, I am forwarding this to my red-velvet-cake-obsessed friend!

2. Joshua Lurie, June 25, 2009:

   Liang really threw down the red velvet gauntlet by saying that. Los Angeles already has some good red velvet cakes, so it will be interesting to compare.

3. Howard, July 3, 2009:

   This is a newly opened restaurant but has the feel of a restaurant veteran’s doing. I highly recommend you try it. I won’t say which dish in particular, because everything is good and everyone’s choices differ. This place is a “keeper”

4. Carol Herman, July 11, 2009:

   DORA. It’s Carol Herman, and I need help. It’s Saturday; and I have awful heartburn that no medication that I took has relieved.

   Yes, I called my doctor. It’s Saturday.

   And, yes. Today, David and his dad and family are all flying to Kenya.

   I am so worried about my dogs and cats. IF you could ask Jason, IF he would stay here; to help me out. Should I have to go to the hospital, that would be of great help.

   He can enter through the gate at the driveway entrance. And, he can call me at 626-287-1822.

   Yes. I’m very worried. CAROL HERMAN

5. Jo Cheng, August 8, 2009:

   I love the roast beef wrap. The meat is so tasty and the carmelized onion rounds up the flavor with mixed green and a thick slice of tomato. It’s light and gives me room for a small desert, say choco chip cookie or a fruit tart.
   A little nap to finish it off. What else can one ask for?

This entry is filed under LA Culinary Compass.