If you’ve driven along University Drive, chances are you’ve driven past the hidden gem known as Essence Bakery Café. Right off of Priest Drive and down the road from Buffalo Exchange and Oregano’s, this dining spot features French-inspired cuisine and award-winnings pastries.
Walk through the doors of Essence around breakfast time and your senses will be transported to a Parisian café. The smell of eggs and bacon wafts through the air and the sight of the pastry case lined with croissants and desert delicacies will leave you in awe.
Start your day like the French do: indulge in a freshly baked Double Chocolate-Bar Croissant ($2.75) and a cappuccino or iced coffee. The flaky, perfectly sweet pasteries melt in your mouth and are guaranteed truly authentic. Eugenia Theodosopoulos, Essence’s chef and co-founder, studied culinary arts in Paris for five years and brought her perfected recipes home.
Ever heard of a macaroon? These Parisian dessert cookies are almost like a very sophisticated version of an Oreo. Two meringue-like cookies sandwich a smooth, creamy flavored filling.
Essence has taken the prize for their sensational macaroons in countless publications. In 2009, it won the title of "Best Macroons in Phoenix." (I couldn’t agree more.) With flavors ranging from Caramel Cream to the more daring like Pink Grapefruit, every person will surely find their favorite.
When the dining hall French toast just doesn’t cut it anymore, go to Essence to devour their Signature Brioche French Toast. Served with a rich banana-caramel sauce and toasted hazelnuts, you will never look at cafeteria food again.
Later in the afternoon, grab a few friends and waltz over to Essence for lunch. A selection of salads and hot and cold sandwiches beginning at $7.75, although seemingly pricey on a college budget, will be worth the splurge. I tried the Grilled Cheese with Mozzarella, Tomato & Basil and it was so tasty.
Essence's tagline “Buy Locally. Eat Well. Preserve the Planet.” proves to be true in every aspect. Essence’s foods are made with local, organic, and sustainable ingredients. You can feel good about the environment while your stomach feels good about the food you ate!
After you’ve experienced the French magic for yourself, go home and vote for Essence’s chef Eugenia Theodosopoulos, "Pastry Chef Extraordinaire" for the Arizona Culinary Hall of Fame. (Or click here to do so now!)
