Sweet Elena’s
465 Olympia Ave., #D, Sand City 393-2063, sweetelenas.com
After honing her baking skills for 14 years as a pastry chef at Ventana in Big Sur, owner and baker Elena Salsedo started her namesake Sand City cafe and bakery in 1992, and it’s been a community staple in Sand City’s West End district ever since. With a range of offerings both sweet and savory – from pastries and pies to quiche, galettes and even sourdough baguettes and soups – Salsedo taps into her French roots, making everything from scratch and utilizing produce from local farmers markets. And with an often sunny patio out front, it’s as relaxing a brunch or lunch spot as they come.