NYC taught me not to be fooled

The only way to salvage a day filled with freezing rain is to go to Le Pain Quotidien, a cafe that is trying desperately not to look like a chain restaurant. There are 27 in NYC, 12 in CA, and even 3 in Kuwait. I could go on and on listing its random locations. Le Pain is obviously a chain when you look at the numbers. But it fooled me because it doesn't feel chainy. It's known for fresh breads and a communal table. The table is a gorgeous solid piece that splits the restaurant right down the middle. Today my kids and I shared the table with a woman drinking tea, two friends, and some other people at the far end. I usually order a waffle because it's fat sugar crystals make me happy. Today, however, I ate a carrot and raisin muffin. Loved. The kids ordered hot chocolate and shared a huge Manhattan chocolate chip cookie. What's special is the waiter presents them with steamed milk and a little pot of chocolate that they stir in themselves. They drink it up with their spoons and call it chocolate soup.  So because of all of its goodness I can overlook that it tricked me into thinking it was one of a kind the first 3 times I ate there. I remember thinking I was so lucky to have it 2 blocks from my house.  The good news is it won't be long before you are just as lucky as I am and a Le Pain is built in your town. Below is a picture of the boys spinning around the Please Wait to Be Seated sign.