Avoid on the weekends!!! Loud and poor service! We have been to Essence many times and mostly go for the coffee and macaroons, which are amazing. Today was a little different. Went for Saturday brunch at 11:30 and it was packed. I mean standing room only, very uncomfortable packed. Service was poor, cashier noticeably rude. Took 20 minutes to bring an egg sandwich. They have way too many tables crammed into that small space, couldn't even walk through to see if the patio tables were taken. Do we really need that many tables? I think we will avoid that place during the lunch rush.