LUNCH COUNTER

In cozy, sunny quarters on James Island, Michelle Durante is drumming up a crowd, making deli sandwiches with an edge from her six-month-old Kronic coffeehouse.

Her reasoning for the restaurant's name?

"It's killer."

She's not being immodest, either. Kronic is an impressive eatery, steered by Durante's steady hand and a menu filled with fresh, excellent selections. Globally minded, Kronic also promotes fair trade and organic fare, its paper and plastic products all biodegradable.

Guilt-free dining? Always a bonus.

The Pittsburgh native makes sandwiches, veggie options, salads, soups, quiche and desserts. Here's an early favorite, a Sicilian treat revealing Durante's Italian heritage: eggplant caponata ($7.95) with ham, mozzarella, roasted red peppers and garlic aioli.

We also enjoyed a gyro sandwich with Greek meatballs ($8.95), kicked up a level by a fine, homemade tzatziki sauce. Kronic has other turkey, roast beef, ham, tuna salad and ginger chicken offerings.

Vegetarians might sample an Asian salad ($7.95), mixed greens, dried cherries, scallions, mandarin oranges, red onions and crunchy noodles with a sesame ginger dressing; or the Rip Roarin' Veg ($7.95), spinach, hummus, sprouts, tomatoes, mozzarella, peppers, cucumbers, carrots, onions and a spicy vinaigrette.

Sandwiches are made on oatmeal white bread, wheat berry, wheat wrap or croissant. Add hummus to any soup or salad for $1.50.

Kronic hosts live music on Saturdays. Bring your laptop. They've got wireless.

As coffee goes, Durante recommends banana nut latte, coconut latte and hazelnut macchiato. For dessert, try the chocolate ganache cake, scones or cookies. And if you manage to leave without trying one of her moist, sticky brownies, tell me how.

Kronic Coffee

Address: 827 Folly Road

Phone: 225-7574

Hours: 9 a.m.-10 p.m. Sun., 7 a.m.-10 p.m. Mon.-Fri., 8 a.m.-10 p.m. Sat.