Esselon Café — Restaurant in Hadley

They make really good hollandaise. It isn't common to find people who can make really good hollandaise. They use a lot of locally grown food. They know how to make that food taste good. They have a splendid selection of beer for the size and type of type of establishment. You order food at the counter and then very nice people bring it to you. It doesn't seem like you will find a place to sit every time, but you will for some reason. It is actually against all reason, but it usually works out for me. If you're not into this lack of control you may poach a table prior to ordering. So far so good, right? Well yes, I would encourage you to go, it is usually great. Sometimes, the kitchen gets run over and they fall way behind. I have waited an hour for brunch, like twice out of a lot of visits. That is a long time. I mean I can have quality lenses ground in that time period. it only happens when I'm really hungry. One such occasion there was an error on the order. The nice person who brought it out to us didn't really want to fix it, just looked at us pleadingly to just for God's sake, eat it. So we did. It had been an hour and there was a real hunger situation happening. The kid looked so earnest in his heartfelt desire that we please for the sake of all beings eat it. . All of this is excusable and understandable for a small kitchen that could easily be asked to make more food than it is actually capable of, especially if one were to not prep for the unexpected rushes that the eating public so fickly will serve you from time to time. Seriously, you people just show up unexpectedly whenever you please in unpredictable frequencies. The only real reason I am giving this thing a three star rating is that there are sometimes rude kids working the counter. I've witnessed unskillful interactions with the customers. One of them literally called out a beverage as soy, the barista made it with moo cow milk, then, when confronted, said that no, it was supposed to be made with moo cow milk. How about just make it right, kids? How bou dah? They were like teamed up in a not so awesome way, you know? Why you gotta be rude and stuff? This seems to happen once in a while, eddies in the space time continuum perhaps. It is hard to find really good people that like to do a really good job. The problem is that there doesn't seem to be anyone around all the time to notice these folks perpetrate these unskillful social faux-pas and send them along their merry way. There are such good people here, instances such as this are a true physical contaminant in the honey.

The hollandaise though. You should go, it is usually great. I just hope you get lucky and so and so has been relieved and you get this place at its best, because it truly shines sometimes. Most of the time in fact. Actually they should have five stars. It is really my favorite brunch spot. But actually...

Esselon Coffee Roasters in Hadley, Massachusetts has been a sanctuary for many for almost 20 years now (founded in 2006). I took my first seat in their thoughtfully curated dining area during my senior year of high school in 2015. A caffeine filled experience of joy and comfort which yields us a supportive relationship of 9 years. One of the most striking elements exists (seasonally) before you even enter the restaurant (although it is accessible all year). Should you choose to visit when spring is in bloom, you will be greeted by their grand garden; filled with blossoming trees, singing birds and encased by tall, dense bushes. Dining is available on gorgeous wooden tables a top peastone platform, in comfy wooden chairs neighboring rock side-tables that are as feng shui as they are convenient. Inside you are greeted by the hustle and bustle of a constantly busy cafe. Their 1960s coffee bean roaster is whirring, the steam wands are hissing, people are laughing/talking/crying, dishes clanking and all the while you are basking in the inviting smell of their small batch coffee. Esselon is a brand that I support because they seem to value the same things that I hold dear. Boiled down it can be said as simply as, “they pay attention”. They pay attention to the atmosphere they create. The interior design is pleasant and easy on the eyes without making you feel like you should’ve worn something nicer than baggy sweatpants and the first jacket you saw on your way out the door. It's tasteful and intentional, unique and familiar, sheik yet unpretentious. They have a deliciously dialed in roasting system that embodies transparency (they literally roast right next to the counter). The coffee is simply delicious with tasting notes that transfer from the label to your taste buds. The food covers everything from classic pancakes to a smoked salmon benedict, boasting something delicious and approachable for all preferences (including some vegan options). They make a conscious effort to support local agriculture and engage in their local communities where they sometimes sponsor events. Esselon is a place for connection. A place to connect with your loved ones over a coffee or lunch, a place to take first dates and get to know one another, a place to sit with headphones in and finish your schoolwork or your novel, a place to discover more about yourself, a place to submit your work emails, job applications and resignations. Esselon is a place to let your life run its course, change its direction, or to just put it on hold. Esselon is a...

In my perambulations to the esteemed establishment hight Esslon Cafe, I have been bestowed the privilege of partaking in their extraordinary fare and indulging in a coffee to kill for, verily. The victuals, crafted with culinary prowess, have proven naught but delectable, and the libation, a brew of unparalleled excellence, hath left mine taste buds in a state of rapture.

One doth commend Esslon Cafe for the cultivation and roasting of their own coffee beans, a practice both noble and rare. This bespoke elixir, amongst the finest brands mine palate hath ever encountered, doth find its sacred abode in mine domicile each morn. The ritual of imbibing this nectar, a daily devotion that speaks volumes of the coffee's exceptional quality, is a testament to the café's commitment to excellence.

The ambience, fostered by the al fresco dining expanse, doth further elevate the experience to heights of unparalleled delight. The open-air repast, amidst the embrace of nature's splendor, contributes to an atmosphere that transcends the mundane and fosters a dining experience that is, by all measures, quite extraordinary.

In summation, Esslon Cafe, with its culinary prowess, heavenly coffee, and al fresco allure, stands as a paragon of epicurean excellence. The repast is a symphony of flavors, the coffee a elixir of the divine, and the setting an ode to nature's bounty. Verily, a sojourn to Esslon Cafe is an expedition into the realm of gastronomic...