Found Treasure: Sweet Elena’s Bakery and Café 2.0

September 22, 2023 – Something sweet has somehow gotten sweeter. 

At least it’s one way of saying that, even though Sweet Elena’s Bakery and Café has been a textbook Found Treasure for a long time—hiding out amid industrial-style supply stores and mechanics on an awkward street in Sand City while delivering OMG-grade baked goods—it is as good, or even better, than ever.

The two main reasons for that are 1) namesake Elena Salsedo Steele has earned retirement life in her native France; and 2) she left her legacy in hands that are capable and as thoughtful as hers.

The relationship between the Elena and her heir is both 1) functional—Salsedo Steele taught new owner Katy Matias all the recipes; and 2) spiritual—Matias’ mom Dolores has long been a central piece of the SEBC puzzle (and holds it down as head baker) and Matias became Elena’s goddaughter.

Salsedo Steele turned Matias onto more than pastries. That included theater and art, business and bookkeeping, and violin—which she played in the supply room at the bakery. 

“I wouldn’t say I was a great violinist, but ever since I was little she wanted me to try everything I could,” Matias says. “Everything she wanted me to experience, she would do it. She wanted me to know how much more I could do.”

It was about a year ago that Matias took over. She hesitated to alert people to the change for two reasons: 1) She was nervous about the reaction, saying “I kept it under wraps because of my own insecurities;” and 2) The chase of greatness, in her words, “wanting to make sure everything was perfect.”

If you’re a fan of these reasons, you’re in luck, because here come nine more. Sweet Elena’s remains as #foundtreasured as it gets.

1. Love of chocolate

When you grow up in a bakery with Salsedo Steele, Matias points out, it involves visiting a lot of other bakeries, including a number in France. “We went to every single local bakery in our area, and her hometown!” Matias says. “And we’d try every single item, trying to make sure ours was better, and to learn ingredients—balances of butter and chocolate—plus lots of different types of chocolate. You’d think I’d become sick of it, but I don’t know, I guess I’m a chocolate fanatic.”

2. Farmers market flex

While not everyone flows through Sand City for their coffee and bread, Elena’s rolls to year-round farmers markets in Carmel on Thursdays, Del Monte Center in Monterey on Fridays and Cabrillo College in Aptos on Saturdays. Matias calls it one of her highest highs of running the shop. “It’s a good day at a farmers market when people love our stuff,” she says, “and I realize, ‘It’s not in my head, we’re doing things right, continuing her legacy, which makes me proud to showcase her work and do things people like.”

3. The pot pie

If there’s a better pot pie on Monterey Bay, I’ve yet to find it. The burly body of vegetables and chicken chunks, balanced composition and a flaky-yet-substantial crust make for satisfying nostalgia for the appetite and soul.

4. Focus

Some of the humblest items are the hardest to do well. Some of the best menus are the shortest. It’s a sign of ability, self-trust and concentration that the lineup of simple and rewarding sandwiches like turkey-bacon-avocado and chicken portobello, along with a trio of salads.

5. The almond croissant

Any number of items would’ve been enough to make this a Found Treasure. The focaccia pizza comes to mind. Or the salmon leek quiche. But if there was one pastry to offer aliens to prove Earth is worth saving, I’d nominate this. It’s flaky with a hint of crispy on the exterior, dusted with a suggestion of powdered sugar and almond slivers, built upon layers of fluffy interior and a foundation of satisfying almond cream.

6. Freedom

Soups have long been a strength at Elena’s. Matias takes that personally, adding her and her mom’s own Oaxacan-inspired versions, like the spicy kick she added to the pumpkin chipotle soup on the menu now. 

7. Art 

Many eateries, coffee shops and restaurants aspire to elevate area artists. Few do it as well as SEBC. “We really try to focus on local artists—to go with nature and a homestyle feeling,” she says. “That meets with the ambiance of friends, family and home.”

8. Emotional investment

To reemphasize a theme, Matias doesn’t take the flavor-making honors lightly. Thankfully she has her mama and her aunt to run stuff by. They check in daily to keep things as tasty as they can. “It’s scary given the big shoes I have to fill,” she says. “Doing my best is definitely something I overthink a lot, including changes like redecorating, tweaking a recipe, adding something of my own. It’s intimidating to put out.”

9. Community

The biggest satisfaction for Matias isn’t born of chocolate or croissants, but the neighbors that circulate through. “Honestly, the support from everybody has been the most satisfying surprise,” she says. “I grew up here, but I’m not the best at remembering names and faces, and the amount of support from every single customer, and the fact they remember me, means everything.”

More at sweetelenas.com.