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| - Today was my first trip to Essence. I've had their famous macaroons at Old Town Farmer's Market, and while I think calling them macaroons is misleading to a gal who's used to a sticky stack of coconut, they are like crack.
There was a line out the door. Luckily, a few of the patrons waiting in line mentioned they were waiting solely to pick up also famous croissants that were well publicized last weekend. So after a few false starts (I walked in and asked if I had to wait in line to order, and was told yes) another employee handing out something that looked like donut-holes (I didn't get one) told me I could go to the second register and place my order for breakfast. So after 15 or so confusing minutes, we had our order placed very quickly and were seated - all eight of us - in their pretty small space.
Our food took quite awhile to come out, but it was hot, and servers were very pleasant (and nice to our kids). Although I had had no expectations, I was quite happy with my single latte. Breakfast sandwiches were good quality, good ingredients, Dubliner, peppered bacon, Tim's ham, but not inspiring. Two people in our party ordered the french toast and a few gave them rave reviews. Another didn't care for the banana peanut syrup. (I agreed that I'd rather try it on chicken.) My vegan, allergic to lots of stuff niece, loved hot her breakfast cereal with organic soy milk, pecans and fresh fruit. Mom had the eggs and sausage, and gave it a solid thumbs up.
They use great ingredients here, and it shows. I wouldn't say there was anything mind blowing that we had on the breakfast menu. We didn't experience anything for breakfast that measures up to the crack-like, cult status of the macaroon and croissant, but I'll definitely be back. I think for lunch next time.
Also, you might avoid this place for the next week or so until the croissant hype dies off a bit. We told two different parties that were about to leave, that they didn't have to stand in line for breakfast. We also couldn't order croissants since we were sitting and eating, and not standing in line. That was a bummer.
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