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• Essence Cafe

Essence brew and Granola cookie from Essence Cafe (Michelle Pemberton for The Star)

1/2 Tuna salad on flax seed and pasta salad from Essence Cafe (Michelle Pemberton for The Star)

Cup tomato bisque and 1/2 bleus baby salad from Essence Cafe, 12660 E. 116th St. (Michelle Pemberton for The Star)

Fishers restaurant Essence Cafe blends superior food with fine atmosphere

Thank you, reader! I received an e-mail about Essence Cafe in Fishers from a very satisfied customer.

My steadfast companion, Jen, and I headed north for our own taste of this cafe and were equally impressed. Some of our stops have great food, but lack any semblance of atmosphere; others, vice versa. Essence provided both, and offers mainly organic treats, to boot!

The mood

Essence Cafe is welcoming. The sunny corner space has two walls full of windows surrounding the dining room. Rich, modern furnishings in dark wood and warm, earth-toned walls of purple, red and green complete the cozy space.

The entry leads past the dining room back toward the ordering counter, where the contemporary feel continues. The curving counter provides space for placing an order, as well as a coffee station for Essence's best brews. Jen was envious of the backsplash of purple tiles behind the counter.

Adding to the calm atmosphere at Essence were plenty of conversing ladies. The one man who was in the cafe left soon after we arrived -- estrogen overload. These were women lunching with a purpose, though -- book clubs!

Also tacking on a good helping of pleasantry was the staff. The two women serving up lunch during our visit were polite and accommodating as Jen and I stared at the menu on the wall.

The food

Again I say: soups, salads, and sandwiches! But for the first time I say: organic! Now, not everything on the menu is sans pesticides and such, but the wonderful people at Essence have tried their darnedest to provide their patrons with a healthy, yet fulfilling option for lunch.

Jen tried a cup of the soup of the day, tomato bisque, and a half-portion of the Bleus Baby salad ($6.95). The bisque was sweet and creamy, not sour, and even served with organic saltines. The salad featured iceberg lettuce tossed with crisp apples, candied walnuts, bleu-cheese crumbles, and balsamic vinaigrette.

I chose the same combo meal, but ordered half a tuna sandwich on flax seed bread and the pasta salad ($6.95). The albacore tuna salad was flavorful, especially with the the flax seed, and was mixed with egg and red onion. The pasta salad was minimalist -- and tasty. Simple organic penne was combined with slices of ripe tomato, olive oil, garlic and fresh sweet basil.

Yet another positive point about Essence is the portion size. Our meals weren't so large that we'd be eating leftovers for a week, but were perfectly filling.

I, of course, had to have dessert and chose a granola cookie with raisins ($1.29).

The drinks

I had the usual ice water with lemon. Jen needed to be perked up, and opted for a fresh cup of sweet, organic Essence brew ($2.35).

The damage: $18.77

Our Essence Cafe lunch was a soothing break in the middle of our work day. I love it when we find a place with the complete package -- good food, good friends, good service.