Au Bon Pain, Detroit

Molly Abraham: This bright spot overlooking the park at Campus Martius adds to the attractions at the city center, regardless of season. It is casual, self-serve, with a friendly staff that seems to be as happy to be here as the patrons. The premise at Au Bon Pain is this: Pick up one of the laundry-list style paper menus at the counter where salads and sandwiches are made. Check off the items wanted, put your name or initials on it, and hand it to one of the staff. Your name is called when the dishes are ready. Items such as hot coffee and other beverages, including good hot chocolate and lemonade, and six daily soups on a 30-soup rotation, oatmeal raisin cookies, brownies and sweet rolls are all self-serve. Breakfast includes a cereal bar, where oatmeal, cream of wheat and hominy grits replace the soups for those who can resist the sweeter temptations of chocolate croissants, scones and danish.\nAu Bon Pain seats 45 indoors, and there are year-round patio tables with the signature yellow umbrellas that accomodate another 28 hardy souls regardless of temperature.