Ok, so not actually everybody knows my name at Carmel’s Coffee, excuse the overstatement in the title. However, in the last two weeks, since first discovering this lovely breakfast and lunch spot, I have certainly become a regular, and quite acquainted with several people from the friendly staff, including nicest guy in the block and owner Pat Flanagan. So, although you might consider this an exaggeration, I am starting to hear the Cheers theme song lyrics in my head every time I come in: “Sometimes you want to go where everybody knows your name, and they’re always glad you came.” This little coffee shop has been opened for over a year, and I’m kicking myself in the butt for not having come in earlier, especially since I live a staggering 2 minutes away. Nonetheless, I am making up for lost time rather quickly.
They say good things come in small packages, and Carmel’s is a perfect example of it. They have managed to pack wonderful coffee, great food, good art, lots of charm and warmth into a tiny little space west of 44th Street on the south side of Camelback Road. Continue reading