Sweet Pea’s Café offers an alternative to fast food near the Capitola Mall. The younger sister of a downtown Los Gatos establishment, and almost hidden in an office and retail building between Highway 1 and Clares Street (adjacent to Burger King), they serve a freshly prepared medley of wholesome nourishment.
Orders are placed at the deli-style counter which separates the dining room from the open kitchen. Breakfast includes waffles, omelets and crêpes. For lunch, add a salad or fries ($1.50) to savory crêpes ($7.25 to $9). The thick, deep-dish quiche ($7.95) comes with fruit or salad. A variety of filling sandwiches and wraps ($6.75 to $8.25) are made to order. Sweet crêpes ($5.50 to $7) such as banana and Nutella are the perfect afternoon pick-me-up. Soups are made fresh daily, and there’s even a kids’ menu.
I chose an outside table on the covered sidewalk where painted pea vines climb the exterior wall.The half Gorgonzola Salad ($5.75) was large enough to share. Made with organic greens, it was served with sides of thick balsamic vinaigrette and pillowy herbed bread. Loaded with spiced walnuts, the contrast between sweet red apples and salty cheese was delectable.
The fat Grilled Salmon Wrap ($8.25) included feta, crisp red onion, multicolored lettuces, tomato and mild chipotle mayonnaise in a thin, low-carb wheat tortilla. The salmon was smoky as if fresh from the backyard barbeque.
A large buckwheat crêpe ($7.50) dotted with browned bubbles, was folded in quarters in typical French fashion. Stuffed with sliced chicken breast, tomatoes, and dollops of pesto, it oozed melting mozzarella. Served with a side of creamy basil-infused sauce, it made more than a midday meal.
Sweet Pea’s Café, 2121 41st Ave., Capitola, 476-2737. Serving breakfast and lunch 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Closed Monday.
