I ventured into the new Panera Bread Bakery and Café that opened a couple of months ago – one of 150 Paneras that opened nationwide this year. I’ve eaten at Paneras in other parts of the country, and had the notion the other day that I would take soup, sandwiches and salad home on a quiet, cold Sunday afternoon for a pre-holiday gourmet feast.

It wasn’t very busy when I entered, but an abundant staff drew me into the bustling holiday spirit. A bevy of muffins, bagels, breads, desserts and other bakery and breakfast delicacies were on display as I entered. I strolled around for a while before ordering, taking in the familiarity of Panera décor, walking through the sectioned dining area. I think it’s meant to offer quaintness, but at one point it felt more like a maze – I lost my dining companion when she went to get a soft drink. Other quaint offerings include a fireplace and a few cushioned chairs, but again, there were so many tables and chairs to move through, it was hard to enjoy the effect of the fire.

The menu is expansive and I was glad it wasn’t busy, since I was making decisions that would affect everyone back at home. It did get busy while I waited for my food, and the staff assisted customers efficiently. The lobby was quickly empty again, which I found impressive at the time.

I ordered from each of their Signature, Panini and Café sandwich menus, arriving at the lemon artichoke chicken on French bread, the Tuscan chicken on rosemary-onion foccacia, and chicken salad on sourdough. I was looking forward to the gourmet sandwiches, but also wanted to experience their version of a Southern staple like chicken salad.

The lemon artichoke was a burst of flavor, and the balance of chicken to artichoke hearts was a hit with everyone. The two were similar in color but worlds apart in texture, which we each quickly figured out. This included a teenager who, after one bite, kept coming back for more. The bread wasn’t fully grilled, but the asiago-parmesan cheese and caramelized onion rounded out this delicious sandwich.

My personal favorite was the Tuscan chicken sandwich, because of the pesto aioli, a tasty sandwich spread made with basil.

I wouldn’t order the chicken salad again. It had an acceptable overall flavor, but it lacked texture and pizzazz – relying solely on mayonnaise, spicy mustard and mild onion flavor blended together in plainness. No celery, no nuts, no grapes … nothing that, to me, makes up the foundation of good chicken salad.

I ordered something catchy I’d never heard of, an idea whose time has come for cold winter days. It was creamy chicken and wild rice &#8220soup for a group.” This was a big hit. The base was lightly creamy, the chicken chunks moist and flavorful, and the wild rice added a deliciously untamed element to the day. Soup for a group came with two large pieces of French baguette that were some of the best I’ve ever had. It was thrown into the paper bag torn and unwrapped, giving it a fun European feeling. As their Web site says, &#8220we are the bakers of bread.” It is what they do best, and it was delicious.

Finally, I wanted a hand-tossed salad and decided on the Fuji apple chicken. The citrus herb chicken, mixed field greens, red onions, dried apple chips, gorgonzola cheese with a white balsamic Fuji apple vinaigrette sounded appetizing and unique. Unfortunately, they left off the gorgonzola cheese and did not include the dressing. The apple slices were a delicious touch, and I will order this again to experience the full effect of these flavor combinations.

The staff was efficient and friendly, and I did get my order quickly; however, there was a major glitch, which is why I didn’t notice the salad dressing was missing. I got to the car and realized they had not given me my soup! This was a $10 item, so I went back right away, and they apologized and fixed me right up. I hoped the missing food was isolated, but when I got home, I noticed the salad was missing key ingredients. Then I thought about the panini that was not fully toasted and wondered if all that bustling needs to be toned down to offer more precision.

Either way, if you’ve never eaten at a Panera Bread Bakery and Café, it is a must-try. From baked breakfast goods with a specialty coffee drink menu to sandwiches and soups served throughout the day and crispani, specialty pizzas served after 4 p.m., Panera has brought a variety of unique tastes to the Bowling Green community. Welcome Panera Bread.

Panera Bread Bakery and Cafe

1770 Campbell Lane

Bowling Green, KY 42104

Phone: 393-4646

Hours: 6:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday-Saturday, 6:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sundays

Specialties: Sandwiches and breads

Sandwich price range: $4.99 to $6.79

Libation Situation: None

Smoking: No