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.

3 Ladies and a Panera.

With my move from Ohio to Florida, I have a new home base Panera...actually I have 3 local Panera cafes that I can call home. Let me begin my reviews of each by first discussing the Destin Commons Panera, located in Destin, FL.

I must admit, I have a bias toward the Ohio Panera Breads. Why? Covelli. (The franchise group in Ohio) They run a smooth operation, and set the bar high.

My first visit of the Destin Commons Panera took place way back in February. I was visiting before I moved here. On the journey with me was my mom and her good friend/neighbor from Ohio, Tami. Tami happens to be a long-time Destin snowbird...or to put it more politically correct...a "winter guest". Tami graciously showed us around town as we spent the afternoon apartment hunting. It goes without saying, that a Panera visit was much needed.

Without further ado, let me set the scene:

It was a rainy Saturday afternoon. We set out on our journey to find my future housing. Because food is my main motivator in life, I suggested that we visit Panera before we get too deep into the apartment hunting. 

We set out for Destin Commons. For those of you unfamiliar, Destin Commons is the quintessential outdoor shopping center that most larger cities and vacation destinations now seem to require. There is something for everyone there. The 2 large "anchor" stores are Belk and Bass Pro Shop, but sandwiched between those 2 stores are dozens of other stores, shoppes, and boutiques that cater to a variety of interests and individuals. Naturally, you will find a Starbucks here as well. And for a later post, an excellent restaurant called Zoe's Kitchen.

My first impression? Loved it from the outside. Dreaded the inside. Why? Well, here's a picture of the outside. It's unique. And below is the line we had to wait in.

Cool exterior, no?

Long. Stagnant. Line.

Another vantage point of the line.

Now, I have been back to this Panera and several other area Panera's since this initial visit. They all suffer from being overwhelmed during the peak eating times. I understand things slowing down during these times. But it's difficult for me to understand why it is so backed up from 11:30-1:30ish everyday. Seems like another cashier would be a good investment.

Moving on from my complaining...

Here's THE REVIEW:

Date visited: Saturday, February 23 (Kind of guessing on that date. I know it was in Feb.)
Those in attendance: Myself. Deb. Tami.
Items ordered:
Myself: BBQ chicken salad - acai/unsweet iced tea
Deb: Pick 2. Sierra Turkey. Tomato basil. Unsweet tea.
Tami: Asian Sesame salad. Coffee.

Clockwise: Asian Sesame Salad, BBQ Salad, Sierra Turkey

Random NOTES:

• This layout is huge. No community room. No drive-thru. But it has a nice spacious layout.
• It's is always super cold. So bring a sweater. 
• Rain. Our weekend in Destin consisted of a downpour everyday. All day. 
• Tomato basil. I forgot to mention that I got Deb hooked on the tomato basil soup. It is freaking awesome. 
• Asian Sesame salad. Tami- I forget if you ordered that salad. From the pictures, that is the only thing that it resembles.

Random PHOTOS:

This photography does Destin Commons better justice. Please note, I have completely stolen these images from the web. I don't own any of them. Does that count as a legal disclaimer?

Zoes Kitchen. Yum.

15 minutes of Panera fame...

How did I not post something about my interview on MYPANERA.com? It is kind of a big deal.

Here's how it all went down:
About a year ago I received an email from someone claiming to be a freelance writer for MYPANERA.com....requesting an interview with me, to discuss my blog. At first I thought it was a joke. Then I realized, no one would go to that extent for a joke that wouldn't even be that funny.

So I set up a phone interview to discuss my Panera journey. The entire interview was hilarious. Why? Well, to me, this blog is just fun. I love Panera and I enjoy writing. It is a nice little outlet. I don't take it seriously. So I couldn't help but laugh at the majority of the questions.

To start out, the writer asked me some standard background questions. Name, age, city, state, occupation, married/single, kids/no kids. Then the question of how did I start the blog and why. Which led to more questions...

You can read the article HERE.

Random NOTES and Takeaways:

• The picture. I didn't know to what extent this article was going to be. I certainly didn't think a picture would be included. So, believe me when I say that...had I known a picture would be included, I would have found a better one. I am standing in front of the coveted Lakewood Panera, to my credit. 
• Why do I keep writing MYPANERA.com in all caps? 
• A Panera mug or t-shirt. Haven't gotten a one of them. Kind of feel like I have earned something from Panera. If you think about it, this blog should be included in Panera management training. Lots of insight to be gained. (Please note my sarcasm)

All in all, my Panera interview went well. I was flattered and felt less guilty for my time and effort over the past couple of years. 

Blog neglect

I haven't updated my blog since Christmas Eve! Don't fret. I have lots of updates to share. Though I haven't blogged, it doesn't mean that I have stayed away from Panera. In fact, the exact opposite is true. My Panera visits have likely hit an all time high.

I like bullet pointing my thoughts, because they are so random...it is difficult to form a paragraph.

Here goes nothing...

Random NOTES:

• I moved to Florida! My original goal in 2010 was to visit all of the Columbus area Panera Breads. I passed that goal with flying colors. Some may argue that I took it a little too far. So now that I have moved, I am upping the ante. To what you might ask? Not sure yet. It will be announced in the near future. 
• Just because I moved to Florida doesn't mean I will abandon my Ohio Panera's! I will be back in the Buckeye state quite often, and will always fit in a visit. I know of at least one new Panera set to open in Columbus this fall. 
• Upcoming blog topics you have to look forward to include:
• My recent Ohio roadtrip Panera visits. It includes a couple new spots, and some oldie but goodies.
• The Destin, FL review. One city. Two Paneras. My thoughts.
• Atlanta Bread chicken salad sandwich versus Panera Bread. Lots to discuss. 
• I found the perfect "man" salad at Panera. 
• The Pay-As-You-Go cafes. 
• An updated listing of where a Panera needs to open

• I also need to update everyone on my interview on MYPANERA.com!!  

So, lots to look forward to...