The Royal Egg Cafe — Restaurant in Westlake Village

I’m going to start off by saying this place looks cute and that’s about as good as it gets. As someone who was a marketer/front & back end manager/server/busser of several mid/high end eating establishments for 18 years this is my experience from a honest point of view. This is my experience of the couple times I have visited this corner brunch spot just to give it an honest chance like most mom & pop places deserve. Every dog has their day.

Food: First visit had the Jidori Chicken Hash and the second visit had the breakfast burrito to make sure they could conjure up a simple breakfast staple that was worth it. The chicken hash was pleasant but throwing organic in a name doesn’t justify the price tag on top of the included 18% service fee. Hollandaise sauce is a labor of love and does take some patience and time to make so I get it, but throwing fennel on quarter of your dishes doesn’t give a reason to charge about a 300% price increase. The breakfast burrito, I have had ones better at Del Taco. This burrito had no distinguishable taste and had the texture of cottage cheese. It was alright but nothing remarkable or worth the price point.

Staff: I can tell the people their were nice and were putting on a smile but were probably getting the short end of the stick with pay. I am willing to bet it has a high turn around with workers, but not my place to say. I saw someone, who I am not sure was a manager or owner, belittle the cashier/barrista as she was getting swamped. Instead of leading with a sword I can tell this place is lead with a whip. It is about being up in the front with your team and battling through it together. We all pay our dues but we never suffer alone. It’s a trickle down and can tell the manager or owner was not happy and thus everyone else below was not happy. I hope that the 18% is split fairly as the front end and chefs are working their butts off while getting ruled by an iron fist.

The reason for two stars. I believe it isn’t a one star because the food was decent. It’s not terrible, not fantastic. Not what worth what anyone is paying. This is just an Instagram front to present visually appealing, over marketed, unjustifiably expensive food. I never wish bad for anyone, I just wish business owners weren’t trying to rob people of quality food and experience. You pay for quality and experience but this wasn’t it. I could feel the energy was high stress and toxic. As a consumer I would like to come back if I saw some changes in prices and marketing. As a manager I am hesitant to return as the atmosphere and leadership would need some positivity, stronger structuring and...

Required 15% tip + 4% service charge for benefits. That is 19% and I heard from workers that the "tip" money doesnt even go to them.

I don't know. Ask the workers if you ever eat there if they get that money.

I'll never go back.

I came there with my two sons and with no drinks the bill was $65 for the three of us. Disappointed that the 'Grand Slam' type breakfast or as they call it "The Patriot" plate of eggs, bacon, potatoes and toast came with a required coffee charge. What??? My kids don't drink coffee. You can't remove the $6 cup of coffee and reduce the $19.95 tab. Instead you can substitute it for a $5 juice but you still have to pay an upcharge of $1 or $2. How does that make sense??? That makes a glass of juice $7 or $8 and the total cost of "The Patriot" $20.99 or $21.99. Really unclear and confusing and deceptive menu pricing. A big turn off since The Patriot is a pretty small meal.

Didn't want to hassle by asking too many questions. IS Coffee required on the The Patriot? Are coffee refills free or not? How much is the Patriot with a glass of juice?

On top of that, there is a required 15% service charge for counter service. That is counter service. You get your own water (tiny little glasses. We had to go back three times), get your own napkins, own silverware, walk up to the counter to get refills of coffee (but you have ask if they are free or not). For that kind of service 5% to 10% is fair.

The required service charge is a weird thing. I don't like restaurants that do it, especially when they don't specify that if it ALL goes back to the staff or not. The owner puts the required service as a tax, same as the CA tax. A tax

All up. Too bad. The food was fresh and clean and local, but at $21.50 a person for a small breakfast, confusing menu, required up charges for drinks, minimum service and unwelcome taxes. Not my...

Not following SOCIAL DISTANCING at all: Hi, I have loved eating here pre pandemic 2020 and was excited to see that you guys are doing curbside pickup. It was devastating to see the chaos on Mother’s Day where people waited over 2 hours to get their orders done when it showed it was completed online. I understand the system broke down and no complaints about that but would have appreciated if you guys still tried to tell your customers to maintain social distancing. It is pretty small cafe and had around 15 people stuffed in waiting for their orders? I am waiting outside but feel extremely uncomfortable with everyone not caring to maintain a distance and knowing that my food is being prepared in this super crowded place.

Can you assure quality standards are being maintained? I know controlling people is difficult but please at least TRY and advise them to maintain the needed social distancing.

It is the restaurant's responsibility to make sure their customers feel safe during these unprecedented times within their premises. Or else how do you expect us to return and trust you? This is the least we can expect.

Sorry and hope to see...