The Little Swiss Café — Restaurant in Carmel-by-the-Sea

The fact that the four of us were starving for a really delicious breakfast just after noon made the spotting of the sign a special occurrence. But we had no idea what a special treat lay ahead of us. I have an affinity for very soft cooked scrambled eggs and Steven (of Dutch decent who took over from his parents who bought the place in 1972) Disseldorp’s chef got it perfect. I ordered French toast with my eggs. MY plate came with two perfectly cooked slices of French toast that my wife immediately attacked with her fork. She praised the owner for topping the slices with a slight patina of powdered sugar as the whipped butter began to melt and drip down the crust of the piping hot French toast. On my own, I discovered I was doing it all wrong. I was cutting off small pieces of the toast with the butter and dipping them in my syrup pitcher, unknowingly washing away the butter. My wife handed back my plate and I dabbed my current piece in the butter now melted on my plate and discovered, much to my surprise, the hint of a carmelized (pun intended) sugar glaze that held three times the taste of the maple syrup. About that time, Steven went by with two plates with huge thin pancakes. Told him I love big pancakes and he told how he makes them just the way I like - very thin batter cooked crispy. A bit about the ambience... The booths have beautifully painted murals of large scenes each hiding funny little things going on. Very fun to explore.

Scott Nelson Author of a anti-heroin novel named WHITE MONSOON that Tom Clancy and Robert Ludlum might have written had they collaborated and done...

NOT RECOMMENDING for EXPERIENCE and food was just ok. First time there. The waitress with curly hair was extremely unpleasant. She came to us after a long wait and rushed to make choices. As I wandered and wanted to ask questions about food because my 10 year old does not eat certain things. She made me quite uncomfortable as we sat tight to other small tables with people staring at us. The waitress came for two seconds and Im just mad making my food selection, but obviously too slow she said your not ready and walked of after 2 sec, then she came again and did exactly the same thing saying that she will have to attend others. Then she came third time clearly inpatient with us. I rushed into my order, and appetite was long gone. My son loved the Belgian waffle with berries. I was very disappointed and couldn’t eat what I chose in rush. This business only care about the speed and to get people in and out as soon as they can . Just to get more of the day. The stress is visible as tables next to as has constant look over the shoulder when to take plates away. If I could rate this place 0 stars I would please do yourself a favor and never come here...

I went in really wanting to love this cozy little café.

But the reception we received was less than cordial.

From the moment I approached the hostess to add my name to the waiting list, I had the sense that she'd prefer we dined elsewhere.

I never play the race card. And maybe this woman was just having a bad day.

But the fact remains that, as the only 2 people of color in the place, we felt tolerated, but not welcome.

Our server was a fast-talking gentleman with a radio voice. He seemed a little better, although not as attentive as we'd hoped.

I felt like he talked more than he listened.

But he did a stellar job of getting our orders right.

The food was average.

I ordered an omelet and she ordered eggs, bacon and a pancake.

The pancake was good, but the bacon was overcooked, and she left most of the eggs uneaten.

The atmosphere was pretty much what you'd expect from this type of establishment: lots of character, a bit cramped, but pleasant enough, with quaint touches here and there.

With so many other great dining options in Carmel, I'd have to say that I would not...