“You’ll never know, dear, how much I love you,” until you read this article. Seriously, the last time I sang “You Are My sunshine” – prior to walking in Sunshine Deli & Catering, an adorable bistro in Incline Village – was at a hippie wedding about 20 years ago. I don’t know how I feel about having that tune back in my head, but I do know I am glad to have Sunshine Deli & Catering on my “go-to” list.

I happened upon this charming boîte (I need to use my cute French words for this place) while en route to the Incline Village Community Center and desperate for a water. I saw their colorful planters, sign and benches from the roadway and made a U-turn — intrigued a little, but really mostly thirsty. When I pulled up and read “Portuguese olive oil and balsamic vinegar served here” written on a placard above the window, I was definitely into curious mode and decided I might need to stay awhile. I did, which was a good thing. Now I also need to go back.

While Sunshine Deli & Catering doesn’t necessarily claim to serve up Spanish or Portuguese fare, that is certainly what the experience felt like to me. I could have been in a café in Puerto Banús (minus the ocean) enjoying a nice selection of tapas, or Spanish appetizers. The glass cold case up front was packed with selections our mothers’ deli didn’t make: Cold artichokes with a light, lemony dipping sauce; chillies stuffed with tuna; stuffed portobello mushrooms; shrimp ceviche; Asian noodle salad; spaghetti squash; roasted vegetables (including my favorite Brussels sprouts) and more. There are also traditional wraps and sandwiches mixed in with more eclectic offerings such as mango cashew chicken or the Malaga chorizo sandwich with roasted red peppers and mild green chiles.

The new dining room is done in terra cotta hues with warm red and yellow tiles, large windows and cheerful sun accents, all of which were very inviting, but I was more inclined to take advantage of all the great to-go options. This time of year, when the outdoors are calling and I am not in the mood to heat up my kitchen, prête a manger (ready to eat) is a welcome respite. Sunshine Catering & Deli even has a nightly “Dinner a Go-Go” menu that feeds four comfortably for $50 — very, very nice to know.

That being said, this is a wonderful place to start your day, get situated, relax and enjoy the superb free coffee. For breakfast I would recommend the sweet French crêpes (sold in pairs for only $7.95), the organic homemade yogurt or Vicky’s Chilaquile, which is homemade tortilla chips tossed with chilaquile salsa, sour cream and cheese. I had it with the eggs, beans and free Wi-Fi. Glad I stopped in for a bottle of water. “Please don’t take, my sunshine away.”