Essence Bakery Cafe in Tempe to close at end of May

Sad news for East Valley macaron lovers: After 10 award-winning years, Essence Bakery Cafe in Tempe is closing at the end of May.

The restaurant and bakery, located on the southeast corner of Hardy and University, serves a European-inspired menu for breakfast and lunch.

The signature menu item, though, is chef-owner Eugenia Theodosopoulos’ macarons, made fresh daily and available in more than a dozen flavors.

Although Theodosopoulos and husband Gilles Combes decided not to renew the Tempe lease, their three-year-old Phoenix location on the southeast corner of 38th Street and Indian School remains open.