Tonight after dinner Hubby Tony and I got in the car and drove to our local St. Louis Bread Company (AKA Panera) for their MyPanera Tasting Event.
MyPanera is the bakery-cafe's loyalty card. If you use it enough, they'll reward you with discounts or even free items. Although tonight's event wasn't free, it was very reasonable. When we walked in we were directed towards the check in station. After we paid the cashier handed us plastic plates and cups and told us to take advantage of all the stations that were showcasing the seasonal menu items.
Our first stop was the bread station, where we wrote our names on a piece of parchment paper and got a hunk of dough. We stretched the dough into a mini-baguette and scored it with a knife, then put it in the "to bake" area. At that station they were serving avocado crostini and Cinnamon Crunch scones.
The next station held samples of soups and salads: Chilled Shrimp & Soba Noodle Salad, Strawberry Poppyseed & Chicken Salad, and Vegetarian Summer Corn Chowder, along with plain and avocado crostini. We added some of everything to our plates, then headed toward the cold drink area to choose from urns of plain and flavored iced tea and iced coffee.
Everything tasted great; I went back for a second scone to split with Tony; while I was there I snagged another avocado crostini. After we finished our food we sat and chatted. On our way out we stopped and picked up our bread, now bagged and waiting for us by the door.
I don't know what I'm going to make for dinner tomorrow, but the menu will include that bread!
Five years ago today: New Thing #188--Whee!
sounds like so much fun Kathy! I love to sample. Those salads sound good!
ReplyDeleteChristine, I know you eat at Panera. Do these dishes sound familiar to you? I'm wondering if they have the same seasonal menu everywhere or tailor it to different locations.
DeleteI've never eaten there, but have always heard they have excellent food. I was pretty sure that we had a Panera here, but a quick check of the website and phone directory shows that we don't. Hopefully we'll get one soon!
ReplyDeleteWhat a clever thing to do. I've only eaten at Panera once and it was like eating at Disneyland. Long ques zig-zagged through the restaurant but service was quick. Then there was the problem of finding a table. The food was good enough, but not good enough to return to the crowd. I would love to get to do something like the sampling but I can't see myself eating there enough to be a loyal customer to get the rewards.
ReplyDeleteI tend to eat at the Bread Company during off hours, but I know they get quite busy (with resulting long lines)
DeleteThe Panera in Fresno is also not convenient for me. It's in a high class shopping center that is not easy to get in and out of nor is there a whole lot of what I consider good parking.
DeleteWhat fun. I was just at Panera today -- a friend turned me on to their bagels about two months ago, and I haven't been able to settle for a grocery store bagel since. Today I picked up a French toast bagel and signed up for the reward card. Hope I get to go to a tasting some time in the future.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite bagel is the Asiago, but French Toast is a close second. I don't know that they're particularly Weight Watchers friendly, though :-)
DeleteYou're right about that. I expect I'll pay for the indulgence at the scale next week.
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