First Date: Panera

So you finally managed to ask her out.  And you have a plan.  Panera Bread huh?  Pat on the back, girls love Panera.  Remember that aura that makes her 5 senses go wild?  Well, Panera is a master of this. 

First thing's first when you walk into Panera Bread, hand in hand with your lovely date.  Everything pops in the dim light.  Wood counters, slate floors, art on the walls, dozens of stainless steal baskets displaying dozens of varieties of bread, an inviting staff of at least 10 behind moving in and out of the bakery.  It all seems overwhelming as your eyes dark around setting on one dazzling object at a time.  Mostly small young adult groups and couples are scattered around, seated at cafe-style tables and long booths.  The layout reminds you of a Starbucks cafe.  The menu consisting of soup in a bread bowl, salad, club sandwiches, hot sandwiches, specialty beverages, and pastries.  It's all so intriguing.

Several steps into the lunch bar you have a feel for noise level.  Calm conversation at every table.  Music is teenage oriented, but still a notch lower than the conversation level.  Perfect for a date.  The bakery and employees remain even a level lower as not to disturb the peace of the customers.

What's that smell?  The next thing you notice is the overwhelming smell of freshly baked bread as you stare it down with predatious lust.  You and your date exchange pleased looks and die a little in excitement.  Walking by each table you both get a small whiff of a patron's meal, anticipating what to order from the gigantic menu.

After ordering you reach for your wallet and glance at the cash register, $20.00.  Not quite the McDonald's Dollar menu, but with stunning atmosphere, freshness, and variety, how can you argue?  She orders a ceasar salad, you order a bread bowl, and you both split a lemonade and cinnamon roll.  Sitting down, the table is clean.  Making a quick trip to the bathroom, you a presently surprised by the cleanliness and elegance.  No sticky, greasy, or god-knows-what surfaces.

Finally feasting time.  Her salad is fresh and full of flavor, your bread bowl is crisp and warm, the lenonade is tart, and your joke about the cinnamon roll is almost as cheesy as the broccoli soup in your bread bowl. 

The first date is a success.  You make a note that restaurants like Panera Bread do a fantastic job with pleasing her 5 Senses.

 

 

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