Lunch was a little late today.  Rachel gave platelets today at the Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center and it took almost two hours.  After that long and “boring” event we ended up at St. Louis Bread Company at Watson Road and Lindbergh.  It is pretty amazing how important platelets are in saving lives. It is also pretty amazing what a unit of platelets go for when selling direct to hospitals.  I have heard that a unit of platelets a hospital bills an insurance company can be in the range of $1000-2000.  Rachel gave three units today.You Pick 2 - Panera Bread - 1/2 Smokehouse Turkey Panini on Artisan Three Cheese and New England Clam ChowderAs you probably have noticed I tend to go to Panera Bread (St. Louis Bread Company) on a frequent basis.  One of things that I have been always impressed with Panera Bread is the “freshness” of their menu items and the care they take to present their food.  Additionally, real silverware when you dine in.  After all these years Panera Bread has kept their quality along with new menu ideas and nobody has come close to mirroring their concept.

Today’s meal is a great “You Pick 2″ combination.  The Smokehouse Turkey Panini on Artisan Three Cheese is a complex sandwich with great smoke flavor. The sandwich is has a tremendous full flavor and goes great with a salad also.

I would have to say The New England clam chowder is disappointing when it comes to a clam chowder that Panera Bread used to have.  A couple of years ago Panera Bread had a Boston Clam Chowder here in St. Louis that was thick and had a very inviting flavor.  The New England version seems blander and watered down.  Overall my lunch experience was satisfying.  After lunch I enjoyed a nice 3 hour nap and woke up refreshed. 

Soup – New England Clam Chowder: 299 calories
Sandwich- Smokehouse Turkey Panini on Artisan Three Cheese – 340 calories
French Baguette – 150 Calories
Total Calories for lunch: 789 Calories