Lunch At The Essential Bakery Café

This morning, my friend and neighbor E and I drove to Ballard for a bite to eat and a visit to Scan Specialties, a Scandinavian Imports shop that also happens to have its own little café.

I had been looking forward to visiting Scan Specialties. The idea was to catch up with E, who had just returned from a holiday trip to her native Norway, do a little browsing and maybe even some shopping over the two hour window of opportunity I had before having to return home, get in my car and go off to work.

It was lots of fun to walk around the shop, with my own personal interpreter--how's that for turning the tables around on me!-- reading labels out loud and ever the perennial student, wing the pronunciation of many of the cute labels and products on the shelves and wait for E to correct me.

While we were browsing around the shop I picked up a box of potato starch I needed to make Molly's Pain de Gênes and ever the sweet tooth and with an undeniable weakness for all things chocolate, on  E's recommendation, I also purchased a bar of Norwegian chocolate covered marzipan (delicious by the way).

After scanning the café menu we agreed that on such a cold and windy morning, a heartier, hot lunch was in order. She suggested we go to The Essential Bakery Café not far from where we were, just a short drive up the street. And off we went.

Even though I've been to the Essential Bakery East Madison café, I had never been to the Wallingford location. After getting really lucky with a parking spot we walked into the café, ready for lunch and happy to be inside, away from the biting cold.

I immediately loved the vibe and looks of the place. The café is housed at the old Orowheat factory, a building almost 100 years old. Exposed brick, large windows, lots of warmth and light coming in and buzzing with hungry Seattleites and plenty of local artist's works on the walls, all for sale.

The day's menu board had an Angus Beef Stew. It sounded so good and comforting that I did not bother to look at the other offerings and ordered it right away. It was loaded with all kinds of hearty vegetables; Crimini mushrooms, celery, carrots, tomatoes, Italian parsley and the most delicious and tender chunks of Angus beef (give me steak any time and I am happy).

The stew--more of a soup really--was lovingly and very generously served with two large pieces of Pizza Bianca--enough to feed a whole family), a traditional Italian flatbread, drizzled with olive oil and sprinkled with sea salt. Because I was a bit chilly and craving lots of caffeine, I ordered a cup of coffee, that once again, was the size of a large café au lait and so good.

And because I can never visit the Essential Bakery Café without buying a few pastries, I had them include in a to-go bag, one of their gummy and moist Cannelés--not as golden or caramelized (read burnt or bitter) as the ones I've purchased at Fauchon--and a Dark Chocolate Financier that looked outrageously decadent.

These are two of my favorite things to buy from them. Whenever I do, I feel instantly transported to Paris, walking around the Marais, picking up enough pastries for the Place de Vosgues pigeons and I to share under the chestnut trees on Sunday mornings.

My visit this morning was so all-around enjoyable that I felt compelled  to call the Café earlier this evening to comment on my visit and send the pastry chef my regards.

I spoke to the friendly Katie, who went into great detail with me on the building and its location (its on the cusp of where Fremont ends and Wallingford begins).

When the topic moved to their lovely pastries, she was quick to note that their head pastry chef, William Leaman had not only studied patisserie in France--among other places--but had also introduced chocolate making to the bakery.

She added that he was also a member of Team Janvier, participating next July in the 2005 World Pastry Forum and Captain of the 2005 Bread Baker's Guild at the Coupe du Monde de la Boulangerie. How about them apples?

After our lovely lunch and joyful conversation, it was time to bus our own table. While cleaning up,  I walked by their chocolate case and though tempted, reminded myself I still had a few of Pierre Hermé's mendiants left in the fridge, in their cute little cello bags

By now it was almost noon and was still cold outside. Only now the sun was shining, all caught up in the latest events, our stomachs were full and we were happy as clams.

And I still had my little take-out pastry baggie with the Financier to keep me company, the one I planned to polish off for dessert with my leftover Potato Fennel Soup--from Dahlia Bakery-- yesterday's lunch. Needless to say, Monsieur Financier never made it home. ;-)

The Essential Bakery Café

Madison
2719 East Madison Street
Seattle, WA 98112
(206) 328-0078
(206) 328-4797 fax
Hours:
6am-6pm Monday
6am-8pm Tuesday-Saturday
7am-6pm Sunday

Wallingford
1604 North 34th Street
Seattle, WA 98103
(206) 545-0444
(206) 545-0333 fax
Hours:
6am-6pm Mon
6am-10pm Tuesday-Friday
7am-10pm Saturday
8am-6pm Sunday