Essential Brew

Tea is stretched to new dimensions at this novel cafe. Offering a wide array of innovative tea-infused dishes with an European slant, they bring the concept of tea appreciation to a new high.

Rose Buds Tea for me- the super-safe brew of sensuous youthful pink rosebuds. Samantha and i each ordered a set (with soup, floral tea of choice) and added an $8 side special for two more appetizers and an apple crumble.

It was alot for two young girls like us.


Vegetable Soup


Baby Potatoes

Shivelled new potatoes infused with rosemary, garlic and parsley. A fragrant approach yet not well-executed.



Grilled Tofu Steak

Pieces of panfried hard-crust beancurd generously sandwiching some robustly-marinated mushrooms. The first bite may seem like they have entered a whole bag of salt into this immense saltyness is subsequently balanced off by a delightful Jasmine fragrance.



Tangy Breaded Dory ($11.95)

The sharp kick due to the paprika-spiced crust didn't do for me but the fish fared generally well- thick and not too dry. A novel touch of Jasmine rice balls could also be bolder in its laidback flavour. I loved the sweetish citrusy sauce with it though, and basil paprika dip was passable too.



Honey Mustard Chicken ($14.95)

Her main course was far more palatable than mine. Tender boneless chicken grilled coated with delectable honey-tasting sauce with the same side given. Once again a poorly-defined infusion of Jasmine Tea.



Apple Crumble

And then came dessert. A solidly thick slab of buttery crumble crammed with a base of soft stewed apples and drizzled with green tea cream sauce. The distinct separation of the two layers and the overbaked hard crumble failed to give the melt-in-the-mouth sensation- overall terrible.


What a feast, but not a very dreamy one. I'll give full marks for the concept, ambience and variety but the food ceraintly needed improvement.

Essential Brew Tea Cafe & Restaurant
269 Holland Ave
Holland Village