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Essence Bakery Café

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825 W. University Drive Tempe, AZ 85281

480-966-2745 

http://www.essencebakery.com  

3 User reviews Write A Review
825 W. University Drive Tempe AZ 85281

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  • American, Greek, Mediterranean
    Mon-Fri 7am-3pm, Sat 8am-3pm
    $$ $, $$
  • MasterCard, Visa, Discover, cash
    Catering, Delivery, Patio/Sidewalk Dining, Takeout
    Breakfast, Brunch, Lunch
  • None
    Not Accepted
    Lot Available, No Parking
Description

The folks behind the successful Essence Catering have branched out with this laid-back Tempe cafe, which they remodeled with environmentally friendly materials. Quiche Lorraine and spanakopita are house specialties; the warm, open-faced steak sandwich, with sauteed mushrooms, Cabernet butter, and Maytag blue cheese, is another tempting option. And if you're looking for something lighter, the salads here are delicious, made with organic greens. Homemade cookies and pastries make for a sweet finish.








Back to TopPhoenix New Times Critic News & Reviews | Write a Review
Back to TopUser Reviews & Comments | Write a Review
  • oakley.abigail
           (0)    (0) Flag

    | AZ | 6 Reviews

    4
    | Sat, June 2, 2012

    I go to Essence fairly regularly, and lament often at the fact that it's a breakfast/lunch place and I can only go there on Saturdays!

    Essence is a cozy little cafe hanging out across the parking lot from a Starbucks. Step inside and there's usually a line at the register, most of the tables are usually full. Both signs of a good eatery. It smells like pastry right when you walk in, the buttery scent of croissants makes your mouth water. All of the pastries I've had have been wonderful. Most especially their macarons. Classic French sandwich style cookies with creamy filling are a must-have whenever I stop in. They have a wide range of flavors that tend to change seasonally and also week to week, some of the regulars include Caramel, Hazelnut, French Chocolate, Espresso, and Chocolate Mint. Seasonally they have Strawberries and Cream and Pumpkin. Their croissants are absolutely delicious and a great little breakfast on their own.

    Grab a vanilla bean iced coffee and one of their Big Breakfast plates and you will not be disappointed. The coffee is smooth and sweet, and they mean big when they say Big Breakfast. Local made sausage, potato cake, fried eggs, and house made bread and jam all work to satisfy even a picky eater. Other delicious menu items include a Croque Madam with tomato, ham, and cheese, hot cereal served with yogurt and fresh fruit, quiche lorraine served with either fruit or a side salad. All worth a first trip as well as many more.

    I've only had lunch here once or twice. I was less than thrilled with a mozzarella and tomato grilled sandwich, but I had a burger made with grass-fed beef that was divine.

    They get most of their ingredients locally and it tends to be organic, which makes for pricey but great and good for you food. My biggest gripe with them is the wait when they are busy. You can wait up to 40 minutes to get your food, but that's when it's very busy, and I think it's worth the wait (as long as you don't gnaw your arm off in the mean time... but that's what pastries are for, right?).

  • phoenixnewtimesbestof
           (0)    (0) Flag

    | Phoenix, AZ | 315 Reviews

    4
    | Wed, May 6, 2009

    One Friday morning, after a few hellacious days of office drama, a dear co-worker showed up bearing tiny cardboard boxes adorned with Essence Bakery stickers. Passing one to us, she said, "I thought we all needed to end the work week on a sweet note." We peeked inside and could barely contain our glee at the sight of five freshly baked miniature treats — and we promise you, it wasn't just because we'd just been staring at the computer and listening to the steady rumble of our empty stomach. But still, those desserts were quite a sight, and we couldn't resist nibbling on them immediately. What was inside? A Mexican wedding cookie, coated with confectioner's sugar; a chocolate cookie; a chewy white chocolate and macadamia nut cookie; a creamy little square of chocolate cake; and a Lilliputian pound cake sprinkled with sugar. Before we knew it, we'd gobbled them all up — and we couldn't think of any better way to usher in the weekend.

  • fairyfae
           (0)    (0) Flag

    | Tempe, AZ | 7 Reviews

    4
    | Thu, May 13, 2010

    Brioche Brioche Brioche!

Back to Top Phoenix New Times Awards | Visit the Best Of Website

  • 2012 | Best Neighborhood Breakfast, Tempe

    In a downtown jam-packed with beer, frozen yogurt, T-shirt shops, and places to get your nails done for $10, it's a relief to know a civilized breakfast awaits. Best known for her amazing French macaróns (and quickly gaining notoriety for her croissants) chef/owner Eugenia Theodosopoulos presides over a fabulous morning menu in a lovely, low-key setting. On a nice day, sit outside and pretend you're in a big city as cars whiz by the University Drive café. Order the organic... More »

  • 2011 | Best Breakfast, Tempe

    True story: A friend was in town from back east, staying at a Tempe hotel. Went to the front desk, asked for advice about where to grab breakfast. The clerk recommended a place we won't name here, but if you've lived in Tempe for more than five minutes, you are familiar with it -- it's been around forever, a little grimy, attracts the natives like flies. An okay post-hangover standby, but not the place you'd send your fancy friend. As our friend tells it, he set off down University, in... More »

  • 2009 | Best Macarons

    When it comes to the latest fad, too often Phoenix is the last to arrive on the scene. So we were pleased this summer when, on a visit to New York City, we noticed that French macarons were all the rage. Ha! Essence has been doing that for years. And doing it oh so well. We bet you'd be hard-pressed to find a more divine macaron in all of Manhattan or Paris. Unlike the chunky coconut Passover variety, these macarons are the ultimate sandwich cookie, two discs that manage to be chewy and... More »

  • 2008 | Best Treat Boxes

    One Friday morning, after a few hellacious days of office drama, a dear co-worker showed up bearing tiny cardboard boxes adorned with Essence Bakery stickers. Passing one to us, she said, "I thought we all needed to end the work week on a sweet note."We peeked inside and could barely contain our glee at the sight of five freshly baked miniature treats -- and we promise you, it wasn't just because we'd just been staring at the computer and listening to the steady rumble of our empty... More »

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People Who Like Essence Bakery Café

Back to TopMenu
Main Menu
Salads
Served With Signature Bread.with Free Range Chicken Add $2.65 With Sauteed Grass Fed Steak Add $4.95. (v) = Item Can Be Prepared Vegan
$7.75
Greek Caesar
romaine, kalamata olives, grape tomatoes, cucumber, house croutons, shaved parmesan, caesar vinaigrette.
$7.75
Organic Spinach And Cranberry (v)
creamy feta, toasted pecan halves, sun-dried cranberries, organic apples, jicama, celery, sherry vinaigrette.
$7.95
Organic Greens, Blue Cheese & Pears
mini grilled blue cheese sandwich with caramelized onions and pecans over greens with zinfandel vinaigrette and warmed pears poached in red wine.
Cup $3.50
Bowl $4.95
Soup Of The Day
served with signature bread
Specialties
(v) = Item Can Be Prepared Vegan
$7.95
Quiche Lorraine
with bacon, organic spinach, leeks and comte cheese, served with organic greens with zinfandel vinaigrette.
$8.25
Spanakopita
baked spinach pies served with chopped greek village salad of cucumbers, grape tomatoes, peppers, kalamata olives and feta with lemon-evoo dressing.
$8.25
Mediterranean Platter (v)
cold grape leaves stuffed with rice, pinenuts and currants, served with hummos, and chopped greek village salad (grape tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, kalamata olives, feta) and crusty bread.
Hot Sandwiches
Served With Choice Of Salad (french Dijon Potato Salad Or Organic Green Salad With Zinfandel Vinaigrette)
$7.25
Grilled Cheese With Mozzarella, Tomato & Basil
grilled brioche bread with fresh mozzarella, wilcox grown tomatoes & organic basil.
$8.25
Ham, Cheese & Jalapeno Croque-monsieur
warm ham, gruyere cheese & jalapeno sandwich
$8.75
Local Power Ranch Open Face Steak Sandwich
grass fed beef with sauteed mushrooms, cabernet butter and maytag blue cheese.
$8.75
With Dubliner Cheddar Add $0.85
With Avocado Add $0.85
Local Power Ranch Beef Hamburger
grass fed hamburger on toasted roll with tomato & arugula with balsamic vinaigrette, with balsamic mayo
Cold Sandwiches
Served With Choice Of Salad (french Dijon Potato Salad Or Organic Green Salad With Zinfandel Vinaigrette). (v) = Item Can Be Prepared Vegan
$8.25
Roasted Chicken Club
roasted free range chicken breast, smokey bacon, tomato, romaine and mayo on grain bread.
$7.95
Mediterranean Roasted Vegetable (v)
roasted sweet red pepper, zucchini, eggplant, pesto goat cheese and organic arugula on rosemary focaccia.
$8.25
Lemon And Basil Free Range Chicken Salad
free range chicken salad with lemon and basil on brioche with cucumber & spinach.
Sides
(v) = Item Can Be Prepared Vegan
$3.95
Organic Green Salad With Zinfandel Vinaigrette (v)
$4.25
Hummos With Crusty Bread (v)
$4.25
Spanakopita
(2 pieces)
Special Order Mini Desserts
Priced Per Dozen Please Allow 24-48 Hours To Ensure Your Order
$7.25
Miniature Chocolate Truffle Cookies
$7.25
Miniature White Chocolate & Macadamia Nut Cookies
$7.25
Mexican Wedding Cookies
$16.80
French Chocolate Macarons
$16.80
Caramel Cream Macarons
$16.80
Assortment Of Macarons
$16.95
Miniature Chocolate Decadence Cakes
$18.95
White Chocolate & Raspberry Cream Pet Its Fours
$12.95
Special Assortment Of Mini Pastries And Cookies
$7.25
Cinnamon Butter Muffins

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