la.foodblogging

So I’ve been moved into my new place for just over a week now, and I haven’t been impressed with the restaurants I’ve been to so far. If I’m lucky, the meal would be edible or decent… I mean, the best meals I’ve had so far have been in my own home, and that’s not saying much. Then I discovered the two streets where all the chain restaurants and local favorites are. I suddenly felt like I was freed from food purgatory. As I was debating which parking lot to pull into, I was then thrilled to see Panera Bakery & Cafe.

I used to be addicted to going to the Panera on Sepulveda in Westchester… the smell of fresh baked bread. I usually go in to buy bagels and cream cheese. My secret love at Panera is the reduced fat honey walnut cream cheese. I enjoy it so much that I can’t believe it’s actually reduced fat. Once I get in there, I see all the food at the cafe side and I would end up getting lunch, too.

Especially when I am really hungry (like I was the other day when I found Panera), I have a hard time deciding what I want to order. What I like about Panera is its Pick Two Menu ($5.79). I can choose to have any two-item combo: soup & half a sandwich, half a sandwich & half a salad, or salad & soup. This is perfect for days when I want to have the Bistro Steak Salad ($6.19 for a full order of greens and lettuce mixed with gorgonzola, walnuts, and steak filets) and a bowl of the creamy Baked Potato soup ($2.99). As for sandwiches, I can recommend the Sierra Turkey on Asiago Cheese Focaccia ($5.59), Pepperblue Steak on Toasted Ciabatta ($6.09, but don’t order this if you’re getting the Bistro Steak Salad, too), and Smokehouse Turkey on Three Cheese Bread Panini ($6.09).

Panera also serves great hot and cold beverages. I can’t say I’m crazy about the Iced Green Tea, because it just doesn’t taste like real tea to me, but I do enjoy the Chai Tea Latte (both hot and cold for $3.19) and on hot days the Home Style Lemonade ($1.55). Ice blended drinks are also available, but I haven’t tried any of those yet.

Panera may not be the best dining place in the world, but it provides me with a good meal and reminds me of home. For this reason and the free wi-fi, I’ll be going back as often as I can.

Locations in and around LA:

Westchester
8647 South Sepulveda Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90045

Tel: (310) 641-9200
Fax: (310) 641-3908

Santa Monica
501 Wilshire Boulevard
Santa Monica, CA 90403

Tel: (310) 566-3080
Fax: (310) 566-3084

Torrance
2733 Pacific Coast Highway
Torrance, CA 90505

Tel: (310) 517-0324
Fax: (310) 517-9592

By Pauline (see more of her posts).