Pastas and Smoothies...

Time to tackle a couple of random menu items: Pasta and Smoothies.


Those two items have been on my list to discuss for some time now. Since I can't bullshit enough about each item individually, I am lumping them together.

First let's cover the pasta. It's been around for a year now. Give or take a few months. My thoughts: Not a huge fan. Why? Here's my rationale in bullet point format:

• I am not a big order pasta from a restaurant kind of a girl. Only exception: A good Italian joint. So ordering pasta from Panera is a stretch for me. 
• So many other better options: Salads, Soups, Sandwiches...the list goes on.
• The pasta on the menu seems like an afterthought to the menu. What's next, pizza? 

Sample of pasta.

To be fair, I have tried the pasta once. It was right when the pasta launched, and they were passing around free samples. It was good, but just not something I would want to eat an entire bowl of. The exception being their Mac N Cheese. It is pretty good. But it is basically velveeta, which is my favorite kind of Mac N Cheese.

Only a few pastas right now. This doesn't include the mac n cheese.

I think I am in the minority, however. I have heard lots of good comments from others who have tried the pasta and it is still on the menu, and people seem to be ordering it in droves. So, to quote my grandma...."But what do I know..."

Transitioning to smoothies...

The smoothie options.

I like them. A lot.

My favorite? The Superfruit Power.

My bullet points why:

• Refreshing.
• Convenient. 
• A good healthy snack or breakfast. Some may even make this a lunch or dinner....that would never happen in my world. I like food too much.

On the downside, you need to shell out about $4 for this. The other smoothies are more like $3.

As an added bonus...My Panera card has earned me a free smoothie! Can't wait!

A recent pre-meeting smoothie.

Random Smoothie pic with bonus Boomer shot.