Panera Bread has been opening locations around metro Milwaukee, but it's taken a while for a downtown location to appear, which seems curious considering the relative paucity of options for downtown workers, residents, students and others.

Panera's new location at 600 E. Ogden Ave. is sort of paired with the area's first Chipotle burrito restaurant, and as such will likely be a good draw. While the bakery and soup and sandwich shop isn't rewriting the rules, a welcoming, if generic, atmosphere and a range of good lunch options will likely guarantee success downtown.

The spacious restaurant has a variety of "locations," with a mix of tables -- rectangular two-tops, round tables perfect for groups and a few cushioney armchairs for lone coffee-sippers -- scattered over carpeted areas, hardwood floors and a main tiled area. Classical music wafts from the speakers.

On the menu there are five "cafe sandwiches" -- including chicken salad, peanut butter and jelly, etc. -- seven "signature sandwiches" -- like asiago roast beef, Mediterranean veggie and bacon turkey -- and a trio of hot panini. Five salads are also offered, from the classics (caesar, greek), to the Fandango, with walnuts, oranges, gorgonzola and raspberry dressing.

I chose a Frontego Chicken panino with white meat chicken, mozzarella, red onion slices, tomato, basil and Chipotle mayonaisse on a grilled onion and rosemary focaccia. Warm and delicious, the panino was a little slim on the chicken, but that was a small gripe as the sandwich was filling and satisfying.

On the early side of the lunch rush, the service was prompt and my sandwich delivered with astonishing speed. In fact, as customers began to arrive, there was an army of employees at their posts awaiting them.

The soup is much talked-about and there are five varieties available at all times on a rotating schedule, with some seasonal soups tossed into the mix. Similarly, the Panera bakery is a highlight with a dazzling array of bagels and specialty breads, alongside muffins, cookies and other treats. A couple varieties of bread are displayed alongside a bottle of oil on a table as samples of some of the more unusual flavors.

A bank of coffee urns is looming evidence that caffeine junkies are welcome, too. In addition to brewed coffees, there are espresso beverages, frozen drinks as well as soda, water, juice, milk, etc.

The Panera menu points out some of the company's community involvement, including collecting and matching donations to local hunger relief groups and the daily donation of unsold breads to area food pantries. Bravo.

Panera Bread is located at 600 E. Ogden Ave. Call them at (414) 224-0200. Fax your order to (414) 224-0730. There are also locations in Menomonee Falls, Mequon, Brookfield, Mayfair Mall, Greenfield, Pewaukee and Kenosha. A Racine location is due to open before year's end.