By Kim Ly & Brian Pham
7 Leaves. A household name in the boba world known for their variety of milk and fruit teas. If you’ve lived in Orange County, you are probably familiar with the boba chain.
The Crema Cafe. An artisanal cafe based in Seal Beach, California that is filled with a variety of foods ranging from pastry goods to brunch goods.
Together, they make Artisan by 7 Leaves and Crema Bakery.
Artisan opened on July 24 and is an elevation of the best from both chains, combining a variety of brunch foods that are available from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. with a variety of boba drinks offered all day.
Here are just some of the eats available during Artisan’s brunch.
Mochiko chicken sandwich – $11
The sandwich consists of a crispy and delectable fried piece of chicken packed with panko crumbs. It lies tastefully on a toasted soft brioche bun. There is cabbage slaw, jalapeno, tomato and special in-house spicy tonkatsu mayo inside. The sandwich comes in three heat levels: mild, medium and hot. It also comes with a choice of side for a few extra bucks; you can choose between fries or a petite salad as an additional add-on.
The chicken is well fried and crispy, but at the same time, still juicy. The coleslaw and tomato combo on the sandwich compliments the chicken and the brioche bun well, creating a nice mesh of textures and flavors.
The add-on fries on the side, while common in taste, give a nice extra snack to anyone who wants to fill themselves up a little more.
9/10
Bacon & egg sandwich – $7.5
The bacon & egg sandwich consists of a sunny side up egg, bacon, melted cheese, arugula, tomato, golden shallots and spicy aioli held together between a toasted brioche bun.
The sandwich is a standard breakfast sandwich. While there is nothing that makes it out of the ordinary, it is still good with nicely cooked eggs and bacon and fresh vegetables.
If you’re looking for a simple food choice for brunch, then this sandwich is for you.
7.5/10
Spinach mushroom quiche – $6
The spinach mushroom quiche is a take on the French quiche with a flaky pastry crust filled with a savory mushroom and spinach custard.
The crust is crispy and buttery. While it might be a little greasy to touch, you should be fine if you eat it with a fork and knife as intended. If you are familiar with a spinach artichoke dip then you can imagine the filling resembles a baked version of that.
8/10
Parisian benedict – $12.5
The Parisian benedict consists of poached eggs layered under hollandaise sauce on top of a flaky and warm croissant; bacon crumbles are also sprinkled as a heavy garnish. The Parisian benedict is accompanied by Artisan’s petite salad.
The poached egg has a perfect consistency that matches the bacon’s saltiness and buttery croissant. The egg yolk is runny while the egg white has a pillowy texture.
8/10
Truffle mushroom omelette – $14
This omelette at Artisan is made out of free-range farm fresh eggs, filled with a special in-house blend of cheese, then topped with sauteed mushroom and various herbs. The omelette also comes with a small portion of their petite salad, which contains a variety of greens and tomatoes.
While this omelette is definitely on the pricier side, its unique taste makes it worth the money if you can afford to splurge a bit. The melted cheese inside the egg creates a taste reminiscent of home—it’s probably something that you’ve made or your parents have made before. Though, the kick of umami from the mushrooms and herbs drastically changes the entire dish and takes it up a notch. The hidden truffle oil brings out the strong taste of mushroom.
This dish is definitely a bit more of an adventurous dish with strong flavors in every bite. Those who like mushrooms will love this dish. Those who don’t like mushrooms—steer clear.
7/10
Final verdict
In addition to all the food, drinks and desserts served at Artisan, the cafe itself has a very comfy and modern atmosphere. The cafe is decorated in a sort of modern and chic aesthetic; from the wooden floors and tables, to the bookshelf wall and the small decorations around the cafe, you can see that presentation isn’t just something that they put into your food.
While Artisan can be a little pricey, it is a nice outing with a comfy cafe atmosphere that can make it perfect for a brunch date, studying with friends or a relaxed hangout spot.
