I can’t even begin to explain to you what’s going on in Yvo-world here, and sadly for both of us, nor do I want to. Not to sound all harsh and stuff, but, that’s the way this cookie is crumbling. So anyway, Friday was rainy and crappy and I was worried about my tickets to that night’s ball game, which, yes, did get rained out. I hadn’t time that morning to pack lunch, so I actually wound up wandering around looking for a deli with some decent soup selection. Every single place I walked into only had two choices of soup, and none of them were what I wanted. So, I went to – gasp, horror of horros – Au Bon Pain.
Now, I know a certain Gourmet who detests the place. Well. Sorry but I have fond memories of bread bowls filled with chowder there, probably my first ever bread bowl filled with soup actually. And I lovelovelove New England clam chowder. It might pain some of you to hear me say this, but I like their rendition. I can’t claim it’s homemade every day. I don’t know.
What I do know is that it’s creamy, medium thickness (some people like it extra thick, some people like it extra thin, this is an excellent middle point), and since it’s serve-yourself style, it can be as loaded with goodies as you like – or all creamy soup only. There are real clams in it, and it tastes sweetly of the ocean, not overwhelmingly so. Honestly, I know my own clam chowder is much better.
But in a pinch?
When it’s raining and all you want is some hot soup to warm you up?
This’ll do just fine.
Au Bon Pain, various locations
Rochelle says
🙂 I feel similarly about Panera. We are soul sisters.
Jags says
I loooove a good creamy clam chowder!
unfortunately we don’t get fresh seafood where I live very often (yay for oklahoma)
I finally found a great place for potato soup and it is made from scratch and so very very tasty
Hungry Bitch says
I had a coffee at au bon pain today. A touch of milk, but no sugar. Very healthy choice 🙂
BS says
I used to get the mac and cheese at ABP all the time – so creamy and cheesey and i’m sure like 10,000 calories – but I haven’t seen it at the one near me in forever – anyone know if they’ve stopped selling it?
Yvo says
BS – Actually, it's funny you mention that. When I walked in and went to the soup section, I was reading the labels and one was Mac & Cheese. I thought "Oh, interesting soup!" and lifted the lid and was really surprised and thrown to find … mac & cheese. (Hey, in my defense, there's a soup called Baked Potato!) So I guess the one by my office is still selling it – this is the one on Whitehall Street, across from NY Health & Racquet Club.
Lizz says
I used to get some great stuff from here until recently I ordered a shrimp bowl or whatever it was called and I got served half cooked shrimp. I didn’t notice until I got back to the office. It was probably just my local place but COME ON!! How hard is it to cook shrimp when you’re dipping it into a pot of boiling water!! Needless to say I never returned. :T
Claude Cobert says
Hi,
Where can I get the recipe for your clam chowder as the clams are sooo tender!
Thanks,
Claude
Feisty Foodie says
Hi Claude,
I’m sorry, I’m not affiliated with Au Bon Pain – have you tried emailing them directly for the recipe?
Good luck!