The food at Au Bon Pain, which is French for “the place of good bread,” is magnifique (magnificent).
It’s an ala-carte bakery café whose food is so fresh, you feel like you’re eating on a farm. Perfect for breakfast and especially lunch, Au Bon Pain, will make you say goodbye to your old sandwich restaurant and have you fall in love with the place where you can take your pick of fresh fruit, one of their signature soups in a bread bowl, or a bakery cookie.
Those who can’t start the day off right without their java, may want to stop in for a French roast, morning blend or Hazlenut coffee. People who like a fancier cup of joe can order an espresso, iced café Americano, a Chai latte or one of their new drinks, a Café Viennese or Café Milano.
While enjoying your coffee, have a flaky raspberry cheese croissant, cherry danish, cinnamon scone, apple strudel, bagel sandwich, or one of the other bakery goodies.
I like a good breakfast, but my favorite part of the day is lunchtime. Au Bon Pain has some of the best sandwiches and the most variety around.
You can begin to create your feast by ordering a hot or cold sandwich like a chipotle turkey and avocado, Southwest tuna wrap or the black angus steak and cheese. For something lighter, have a chicken cobb with avocado salad or the split pea and ham soup (one of an impressive and wide variety of soups).
When I want to be a plain Jane, I just create my own sandwich. My pick is smoked turkey, on a croissant with cheddar, romaine, tomato and honey mustard.
After choosing a sandwich, have a bag of chips, fruit cup, trail mix, or one of their many cookies, cakes, or quick snacks like hard boiled eggs or brie, fruit and crackers.
If you’re looking for something a little heartier, Au Bon Pain also offers entrée items such as meatloaf with wine sauce or shrimp and chorizo gumbo.
Their kids’ menu comes with standard fare like grilled cheese and hot dogs.
The best part about Au Bon Pain is that you don’t feel like a robot in line being shuffled to the next server building your sandwich. Customers aren’t bound by a sandwich, chips and a fountain drink; they make breakfast or lunch how they want it to be and can move about from area to area filled with delicious items.
Au Bon Pain is a good break from the mundane. The food is light but filling and always promises to be flavorful, healthful, fresh and distinctively delicious.
For more information, visit aubonpain.com.
