Corner Bakery is a chain of restaurants with numerous locations throughout the city. It’s a popular spot with downtown office-workers looking for a quick breakfast or lunch with more nutritive value than the traditional fast food fare. On weekends, tourists discover it’s a convenient place to stop for a bite and avoid the high cost of meals at the area’s posh hotels. The stone floors and small wooden tables and chairs placed close together reminded me of European cafes I’ve visited. Black and white framed photographs on the walls are a nice touch. Service is friendly and efficient.
The Sunday morning my friend and I stopped in, it was already crowded, but we did manage to find an open table. This is a strictly self-service place. Get in line, pick up a tray and peruse the offerings for the day. Even though it was fairly crowded when we stopped by, the line moves quickly. Choices range from breakfast and lunch paninis, sandwiches, pastries, and various hot dishes. I opted for the ham and egg panini, a delicious combination of ham, scrambled eggs and cheese on toasted panini bread. My friend had the All American Scrambler, consisting of scrambled eggs, bacon, potatoes and choice of toast. Adding beverages for the two of us brought the final tally to less than $12, which is probably less than what you’d pay for one breakfast in a downtown hotel.