465 D Olympia Ave.,

Sand City

393-2063, www.sweetelenas.net

As of this month Elena Salcedo-Steele has been at the helm of her café in Sand City for 20 years dishing out delectable artisan bakery treats, healthy breakfasts and lunches sourced fresh, local and organic. Elena’s signature dish is eggplant mozzarella casserole, a baked version of eggplant parmigiano which starts with homemade marinara sauce, fresh mozzarella balls and basil with impeccable olive oil, but her lemon tarts, quiches and cookies all rally their own legion of followers as well. Stop in for a bite—or load up from her stand at the two Monterey farmers markets—and realize how sweet it can be.