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