Panera Bread

User Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Some franchisees make a franchise: I'm in that area of Florida that was fortunate enough to be the target franchise area of a family named Covelli. For a while, Panera Bread locations seemed to spring up all over Tampa and St. Pete at the same time - there were at least 6 opening almost simultaneously in my area. A franchise operation has to have an enormous amount of skill and $$$ to get started in such a grand way. The Covelli's proved their mettle, and more than 4 years later, they are thriving in our area, with 15 restaurants and several in areas such as Gainesville and Ocala.

As far as pricing goes, like pretty much every restaurant in a vacation area, Panera is a little pricey. However, if you happen to be in any of the areas where they have a location, you can always count on consistent food quality, cleanliness, great WiFi service, inspiring classical music (ok, maybe a little too loud) and normally crowds. In some, it is the lunchtime crowd (the business district in Westshore, Tampa is an adrenaline rush at lunch). In some, it's all the time, like the location near USF on Bruce B. Downs. In some, it follows the ebb and flow of the movie theater, like the Oldsmar location.

What do they come for? Well, I'm sure there are many reasons, but I thought I'd share mine.

That Salad

Panera handles about 6 types of salads and also serves them 1/2 and 1/2 with either soup or a half sandwich. There are usually 4 salads that don't change with the season, and 2 that do. This is my tribute to the ULTIMATE Panera food - the Fiji Apple Chicken Salad, endearingly known in my office as FACS...(just the FACS, ma'am; I only want the FACS).

The salad has chilled, fresh field greens, crumbled bleu cheese, pecans, sliced dried Fiji apple, red onion rings and tomato. Topped off with citrus-marinade, grilled, chilled chicken breast; it is to die for! Generally, I get my salad to go and keep a low-fat salad dressing at the office, to dispense with a high calorie restaurant version. With FACS, I can't resist the dressing, which is some sort of milky white wine-balsamic vinegar combination. I don't care what's in it, I can't resist it. Last year, I was crestfallen to learn that my favorite salad was pulled from the menu at the end of September, so I'm having them nearly every day now, in the event that happens again!

That Soup

I'm fond of most of the Panera soups and I really enjoy their vegetarian pea-asparagus soup that they've been serving lately. But when it comes to soup, there's really no comparison anywhere in fast food to the bowl of French Onion Soup served at Panera. Perhaps it is the shavings of real mozzarella served in the soup, that enhance the rich taste. Inevitably, I don't need the bread bowl, the croutons or the side roll (if you get it in a cup instead of the bread bowl). Just the soup satisfies my guilty pleasure.

That Bread

Although the Asiago Cheese focaccia and the Rosemary and Onion version are both outstanding, there is nothing to compare with the Sundried Tomato Basil bread. If you get any of the cold sandwiches at Panera, you can substitute Tomato Basil for whatever bread comes standard with your sandwich. Try it, it is memorable.

Those Baked Goods and Those New Pizza Crispani's are great, but I'm trying to lose carbs, so I try real hard to stay away. And the coffee is excellent, not too overpowering and dark.

A salute to my neighborhood Panera, before I sign off. I frequent the Carrollwood location, on North Dale Mabry, which is much like a small town diner. On Saturdays and Sunday mornings you can wave to your neighbors, many of whom you met....you guessed it, at Panera. You can hang out with friends or read through both metrometropolitan papers, without feeling like you're being rushed out the door. I spend a good 4-5 hours of my week at this Panera, and I don't mind telling you, it feels like home.

Comment on Review

Y! Updates An Update about your review will be shared via Yahoo! Updates Manage who sees your Updates

Post CommentCancel

User Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Cant wait to go back!: Great food, breakfast, lunch anytime...best tasting lemonade, bagels, and of course desserts. Sandwiches and soups....mmmm good!!!!!

Comment on Review

Y! Updates An Update about your review will be shared via Yahoo! Updates Manage who sees your Updates

Post CommentCancel