Essential Bakery Cafe Madison
(206) 328-0078
2719 E Madison St
Seattle,
WA
98112
47.6229
-122.2971
Neighborhoods: Capitol Hill, Stevens
Hours:
Mon 6am-6pm
Tue-Sat 6am-8pm
Sun 7am-6pm
Price:
$
What People Are Saying About Essential Bakery Cafe Madison
The Editor
Contributor
Citysearch
The Scene
Its aromatic artisanal breads have lined the shelves of high-end local grocers for years, and now Essential has expanded its primary bakery to include a warmly charming cafe and lunch counter. Exposed-brick walls, high beamed ceilings and broad, sunny windows contribute to the casual, airy atmosphere. Sit at the knotty-pine lunch counters or soak up the sun on the front patio.
The Food
The seasonally driven menu focuses on European sandwiches with ingenious twists: Kalamata olive bread is slathered with cool feta-cucumber spread and freshly snipped oregano leaves, while a sophisticated white cheddar and Camembert grilled cheese is dressed up with pan-roasted Granny Smith apples, caramelized onions and crisp watercress. The Spanish-style hearth oven turns out robust slices of pizza bianca, a house specialty occasionally augmented with shards of prosciutto. Pastries and desserts are beautifully executed: Croissants burst with fresh raspberries, pears and apricots; decadent chocolate mousse is sweetly amplified with a buttery layer of creme brulee.
User Reviews
young5977
July 30, 2007
We only live a few blocks away from the EBC. It's so convenient that I wish I could like it. I want to like it. But I don't. The food is okay and the breads are fine (albeit not quite comparable to the Grand Central and Macrina's). But I can't get past the snotty staff. Who hires these people? If they were moderately considerate or pretended quasi-convincingly to give a darn about their customers, I'd visit a lot more often. Surely there are some nice-ish twenty-somethings with the requisite number of body piercings in need of a job....
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calaha
April 12, 2007
I have a hard time rating Essential Baking Co., because I really would like to have rated it before their overhaul last year. In fact, I would just like it to be like it was two years ago. Either way, I'm not going to give you a better review of the service - this place is an employment haven for rockabilly punks, and punk kids in general. They all seem to love working there, and like each other - quite obviously more than the customers. However, I have never had a really bad experience with them. My primary beef with Essential is the brainless greed that went into their menu change around a year ago or more. They basically took everything off the menu which was really really good, but probably cost more to make, minimized the portions and raised the prices. Of course, they kept the things that were cheap and tasted terrible -- I do NOT understand how anyone could like their tuna sandwich - I didn't know you could make tuna taste that bad! They even cut some of their most popular signature items, and got enough protest that one or two were readded. But overall, there are only a couple of thing worth eating on their menu now, and since they cut out everything my boyfriend liked, I don't get to go there anymore. Before then, I would have said it was a near-perfect place. Now it's just average, and certainly not worth the money.
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marare
April 03, 2007
I was reading a nasty review that someone wrote about the Madison Essential Baking company and I strongly disagree. I go there everyday and get coffee in the morning and lunch in the afternoon. I have never had someone be rude to me and the food is great. I know they just raised the prices but if it's too high, then don't go. I have been to many cafes in Seattle and have spent more then $17.00 for a bowl of soup, sandwich and soda. We do live in Seattle....and it is a bit spendy here! Have you seen the housing market? This person clearly has issues...are you really upset with The Essential Baking Co. or with yourself? I suggest you breath!! I love this place and stand by it. They have great people working there and great food! I highly recommend it! Have a good day everyone!!
read full reviewThe Details on Essential Bakery Cafe Madison
When to Go:
Stop by after work to get deals on almost-day-old loaves--usually half price or less.
The Extras:
The menu and location make this is an ideal spot to grab fixings for a picnic in the nearby Arboretum.
Category:
Payment Methods:
Restaurant Special Features:
Local Favorite, Lunch Spot, Hidden Find
