18 February 2010

the best kinds of cafes: essential bakery

 

a few weeks ago, i meet a friend for brunch at essential baking. we weren't really supposed to be taking pictures in there, so i just snapped these three. as you can see, a bit, one wall is stacked high of shelves holding beautiful bread. bread in all different shapes, with flour seeped into the different. this bread wall is by far my favorite thing about essential. it feels like a classic boulangerie in paris. or, like the bakery my dad used to work in on bainbridge island, where i remember coming in and seeing bread on display all the way to the ceiling, in shapes of alligators and mouses. 

the pastry case at essential contains everything from cookies and croissants to chocolate eclairs and fruit tarts. there is a huge chalkboard menu full of homemade sandwiches and soups. and, of course, there is an espresso machine. the wallingford location of essential is a great place to bike to, because it is near the burke-gilman trail. usually i stop there to get a sandwich or pick up a loaf of bread, but on this day i sat with my friend and had a nice latte and apple croissant.

9 comments:

  1. That was a very good morning. Your photos are beautiful. I'm still tempted to go back and sneak a few more shots since i lost that roll of film. :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. looks and sounds like a very good place indeed...

    ReplyDelete
  3. funny. christine and i had breakfast there this morning, my first time there. americanos and breakfast strata, which was really good. i asked if it was good for you like apples (a strata a day keeps the doctor away?), and apparently its not.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I love the bread wall and your apple croissant looks heavenly. I'll have to make my way to this place next time I visit Seattle.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Do they really not want you to take pictures in there? That's a bummer! I've always wanted to go there but haven't made it yet. I have tried some of their pastries before though and they're delicious!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Mmm fabulous cafes are the best. I do think taking photos in cafes is my favourite thing to do.
    Love the shots!
    Can't wait to get down to Seattle again. :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. that sounds divine. you know... i can't stand it when places don't want to be photographed. i mean, WHY? at the end of the day, the photos usually end up in a blog promoting the place, so i have a pet peeve with this issue. in any case, i'm glad you snapped these three photos. they're lovely and that cafe looks so divine i might have to find one around here to take my kiddos to tomorrow. just for fun! take care. :::

    ReplyDelete

thanks for your comment! i appreciate hearing from you.