Another patisserie & café I finally got to visit in Diamond Plaza in Irvine is Bon Epi. I’m usually around here for dinner and my sleep schedule puts these visits outside Bon Epi’s working hours.

These guys are in direct competition with 85C Bakery Cafe in the same plaza. It’s shocking that they would open up so close. This is a gloves off, all-in, f you, full eye-contact (the stores are in view of each other!) throwdown.

Here’s the lineup:

Oohh yes. I’m already addicted to these from Cream Pan in Tustin and Paris Baguette in Irvine and its MUCH more popular location in Santa Clara (northern California).

These babies are heaven! A popular strawberries and sweet cream combination paired with a flaky, buttery croissant is irresistible. Each bite was followed with some hot, black coffee and made such a perfect nighttime dessert.

This one seems like it may have been in the fridge for a few hours. That said, I still could eat these ’til I’m sweet and buttery and I keel over and my only remaining movement is restricted to signaling you a thumbs up to toss me another.

Bon Epi Patisserie & Café
2750 Alton Pkwy Ste 101
Irvine, CA 92606
(949) 251-0070

This place is ridiculously Irvine-clean, and full of business people on their lunch. If you want to come to a place that makes you feel underdressed look no further.

Make sure you park on the side lot and not directly in front of the store (I found out the hard way–that’s emergency parking only=O ). They’ll validate your parking for about an hour.

I have tried and loved the Chairman, Hot Italian and the BLT sandwiches. Fresh bread baked on-site makes ALL the difference. Specialty’s Cafe and Bakery understands that quality sandwich ingredients is just as important as the bread.

I’ve had one off-day at this place (the bread wasn’t toasted right, or was slightly old), but otherwise it has been excellent. These sandwiches are sometimes dripping with water. I’m not sure if it’s from washed lettuce, the pickle or what, but I could see this buggin some folks. Also, the mustard can be a bit strong, or heavily slathered. Just ask for it on the side if you are timid.

Despite my nitpicking I can’t think of a place that combats the quality here on these types of sandwiches. If you know of some, let me know.

The Chairman:
Sprouts, Herb, Mayonnaise, Stone Ground Mustard, Roasted Turkey Breast, Swiss, Green Leaf Lettuce, Tomato, Red Onion, Cucumber, Dill Pickle, Avocado, Italian Vinaigrette, Ranch Dressing, Black Pepper.

Hot Italian:
Toasted Thyme Focaccia, Mayonnaise, Stone Ground Mustard, Salami, Bologna, Mortadella, Swiss, Provolone, Green Leaf Lettuce, Tomato, Red Onion, Dill Pickle, Mixed Bell Peppers, Pepperoncini, Italian Vinaigrette, Black Pepper.

Hoooly smokes. The Hot Italian hit the spot! It had a tad too much salt on top of the bread, so I just scraped it off. Still, the bread remains incredible. Pairing with quality ingredients sets this one off.

This puts my bread baking to shame. To the kitchen!

Specialty’s Cafe and Bakery
20 Pacifica
Irvine, CA 92618
(949) 453-0137