Our Hometown Bakery

With artisanal treats, fresh-baked bread, and an atmosphere to match, Essencia Artisan Bakery sits right in the heart of Yakima, and they're taking full advantage of the fresh produce in the area with a menu of fruit-based pastries and other goodies.

"With baking, you get to see the whole process," said owner Ryan Low. "Every one of those steps is really important to the final product."

Low and his team take their job seriously, creating unique delights for their guests. Customers in the area come for the friendly atmosphere and stay for the delicious pastries. "I think my favorite thing is the artistry of each pastry," said one customer. "The triple-berry scone, the lemon tart, the pecan tart, the chocolate croissant — you can't go wrong."

Low's connections to local produce farms inspire the menu at Essencia. Thanks to rich volcanic soils and ready irrigation, the Yakima area is a place of incredible natural bounty, where farmers can grow everything from tree fruit to vegetables to hops in astounding quantities. Local restaurants, cafes, and bakeries like Essencia are the first (but not only) beneficiary.

"We have lots of farms a short distance from this bakery, so if I need a box of peaches or I need asparagus or potatoes, I can drive out to a farm, grab it, and run back here and hopefully get them prepped in time for lunch," said Low. "I often just load up at the farmers market with whatever looks good. I'm the one pushing the big cart full of fruit. Probably some of the best relationships I've ever had have been at the market."

While the sweet treats and tarts are the glamorous centerpieces of the bakery's glass pastry case, customers can also find delicious savory dishes as well. Seasonal flatbreads, soups, baguettes, salads, sandwiches, and paninis rotate on and off the menu, depending on what is in season in the Yakima area.

"They have a way of going about the food and the customer service that is just going to invite you in and make you want to stay and really enjoy where you're at," said one customer, smiling. "It's our hometown bakery."

Check out the recipe for Essencia's Roasted Potato Flatbread!