Have been here for both breakfast on lunch. Breakfast on the occasional day when I am telecommuting and lunch with collegues when I have meetings in Tempe.
The food at both breakfast and lunch, to me, is excellent. The slow-food, fresh, local, organic, environmental considerations are all mindful and Essence does it well. Breakfast is usually quiet and calm, peacful, lovely. Their coffee is the bomb! Lunch is always busy and so can be somewhat cramped and loud. Loud/busyness isn't always the end of the world, but FYI as needed. I believe you can call ahead and get it to-go.
I find the macaroons to be delicious. They sell both full size and mini's, the mini's I have given as thank you gifts. The macaroons are available for shipping. I hope to send some out around the holidays.
I've added this to my "Visiting Phoenix" list because I think it's a nice local place that visitors may not otherwise know about.