Burbank is no stranger when it comes to bakeries and coffee establishments. We definitely have plenty of choices for a coffee break. When I noticed that Krust had been replaced on West Verdugo Avenue with another bakery, I admit I was a little skeptical.
But I found that Bittersweet Café and Bakery has all of that old-world European feel without the expensive airfare and travel. From the moment you step inside, it’s like you have left Burbank and entered a quaint Parisian or Italian bistro. Check out the menu on an easel on top of the counter and place your order before taking a seat at one of the half a dozen tables.
On a rainy afternoon, we took our cups of coffee and sat by the window. On a warm sunny day, the outdoor seating would have been a great place to watch the traffic go by and, with a lot of imagination, pretend you are in Paris.
The menu is limited to five or six salads and the same number of sandwiches, but there is still enough variety to please almost everyone. When it comes to the salads, I think the traditional Cobb salad is their best effort. It had all of the typical ingredients, from chopped chicken to blue cheese and bacon bits to a fair amount of avocado. It comes tossed in a light mustard vinaigrette.
I added a little more olive oil and balsamic vinegar from the self-service counter because it did seem a little dry. Otherwise, I found the portion fair for the price ($10) for me or my mom, but probably not quite enough if I had taken Ron or another guy companion for lunch.
