Carmel Belle — Restaurant in Carmel-by-the-Sea

Warning eating here supports racismWhat you're going to read will sound like fiction, but as a busy computer programmer I can assure you I wouldn't take valuable time concocting this event and sharing unless it was extraordinarily egregious. For reference I'm black, my wife is white Irish.

My son and I walk in, find a booth in the back corner as it was the only available table. For those with children, you understand setting up a 1 year old, situating the stroller, making his food, and waiting for him to calm before you buy your food is a whole thing by yourself.

As I'm calming him so I can purchase a root beer and an oatmeal cookie, I start nibbling on the breakfast burrito I got from Carmel bakery and I notice someone hovering over me and my son. I look up and it was the owner angrily looking us and yelled " I have a lot of customers you can't sit here and eat that food!" I said "ok I was going to buy something, but I'll buy it now" he looked incredulously at us angrily turned his back on us and walked away.

I said politely " we're customers too, i come here all the time and I was setting up..." He cuts me off ( and now he has an audience of people surrounding us and sitting down staring at us) he said " I don't care I've never seen you her before...."

I repeat he said " I've never see you here before" loudly so those watching could take in the unnecessary drama. What does that fact have to do with anything? And how does he know he's never seen me before with as many people that visit this establishment? I'm the only black person there and I've seen this "movie" before so as I stood in line I said "you know what just leave me alone, I'm buying something right now"

He speed walks over to my and my sons face about 10 inches away and angrily says "what did you just say to me?!" I said " get away from me sir I'm trying to buy something and you you're chasing me around the restaurant, leave me alone! " everyone is now staring at me like I'm causing trouble, very embarrassing as my son watches and witnesses this type of behavior for the first time.

He then yells " you know what!! I'm not serving you, you guys can leave! Go!" Now he's grandstanding for the ever growing audience in order to embarrass us even more and save face.

I told him, " I'm a paying Customer and you're kicking me out because I told you to leave me alone? Sorry that's neither ethical nor moral and borderline harassment. Please leave me alone!" At that point he came to his senses and walked away and went behind the counter and I finished my food.

So because I've seen this " movie" before and did not want him trying to take action secretly because he seems like an instigator, my wife and I called the police and asked them to come down. They showed up within 8 minutes! The Carmel police department deserves an award for the way they listened to us, responded quickly and made me feel heard after this horrific experience.

They said there wasn't much they could do because a business owner can choose not to serve anyone that they don't deem fit to serve. Which is true, but in my America I thought those days were over. I guess not.. But they did go and talk to him to get his Side of the story.

He told them he NEVER told me to leave. And so as a business man his character is such that he will lie in order protect himself. He also told them "he is MORE than welcome to come back and eat here". Notice the quick switch up....obviously he knows what he did was bullying others wise he would have just told the truth and let the chips lie where they may. And why would I be welcome back if I was causing trouble?

Several patrons apologized to me and one couple chose not to eat there, got up and left. This city, our new church, and members as well as Carmel residents have lovingly embraced my family. Too bad in the midst of all this love there is still hate emanating from...

In a nutshell: understatedly tasty food, slightly inflated prices, odd ambiance.

My friend and I visited here for lunch in the summer of 2009. I had fresh squeezed OJ, and we shared a sandwich and salad.

OJ: Nothing to write home about. Better than store-bought, but not outstandingly delicious for fresh-squeezed.

Sandwich: At first I was disappointed. Where's the sauce?! (hint: there's just an aoli, no discernible BBQ sauce). But the pork was melt-in-your-mouth tender and delicately flavored, and after a moment I grew to appreciate this more subtle sandwich... especially given that the bread was probably ranked up there with the best bread I've eaten in my life. So crisp on the outside and tender inside, so absolutely fresh!

Salad: Hmm... where's the dressing? Actually, the entire salad (including mixed greens, chicken, bacon bits, blue cheese, and avocado) was imperceptibly but apparently productively misted with a very mild lemon'y vinaigrette of some sort. I'm used to a hearty ranch or Caesar or blue cheese dressing, frankly, and admittedly that'd be a bit more decadent... but unlike with that, this salad didn't have me feeling heavy or guilty. Only real criticism: more blue cheese crumbles, please. All other ingredients were abundant in this generously-portioned salad.

Ambiance: Kinda weird. In an artsy shopping mall of sorts. Seating was okay, neither very uncomfortable or comfy. A good amount of natural light.

Only significant downside: Many of the items here seem priced a bit higher than they should be given the unstellar ambiance; in particular, many of the breakfast items looked rather expensive (especially without sides provided). But this place won't break your bank. For lunch, expect to pay $25 for two people and a...

Cappuccino is okay quality and made with a local roaster, Mr. Espresso, but is more on the roasty side. So, if you like a more artisan light-medium roast, floral\fruity coffee bean taste, this isn't the place to get your cappuccino. (I'd go to Captain & Stoker in Monterey for that - which is top notch by the way... especially if you are that Oregon-type coffee appreciator). However, Carmel Belle use a nice local organic milk that makes the cappuccino super smooth and creamy to help set off the dark roast flavor.

There's a nice fireplace in thecozy side room where you can enjoy your coffee and food which was nice.

Food: Pretty good quality: The salads, like the citrus pistachio,pecan & goat cheese salad is served with nice slices of grapefruit and oranges. Very refreshing. Plus, the bacon on from the menu is pretty darn good. Bread is nice a soft,thick and probably locally made. Lots of Avocado toast here if that's your thing.

Staff-wise, it was hit or miss as far as hospitality... The waitress who came to our table was nice enough, but not warm, positive, and inviting like the lady who was at the coffee counter.

They also have healthy fresh-pressed juices and superfood smoothies (like you'd find in the health and wellness grocery stores) which are absolutely fantastic.

Overall, this is a nice, casual place (no need to dress up fancy or make reservations) that offers healthy options as well as your hipster brunch items - a win for all of the people you have in your party. And, it's a great place to chill out with your coffee in between main meal times without having to feel rushed to leave. (Waiter service is typically for the main meal times (breakfast and lunch), otherwise you order small items and beverages at...