Corner Bakery combines the speedy service of fast food chains with the appeal of individually owned cafes. It's a union makes sense, considering the cafe's tablecloth, not take-out window, origin. Born to bake specialty breads for its sister restaurant, Maggiano's Little Italy, Corner Bakery slowly evolved into a proper bakery cafe known for loaves.

The atmosphere is always relaxed. Patrons order at the counter and grab a chair; many locations offer outdoor seating in warm weather months. The menu boasts classic paninis (try the timeless chicken pomodori, made with sliced chicken, fresh basil and spinach, oven roasted tomatoes and provolone cheese) and specialty sandwiches (the chicken pesto, a layering of chicken, arugula, tomatoes and vinaigrette on a traditional baguette with pesto mayonnaise, dominates this category). Corner Bakery also tosses all its specialty salads, including chopped, harvest and Santa Fe ranch varieties, right in front of the customer to ensure freshness.

For the indecisive, Corner Bakery provides the Corner Combo, where patrons can sample both a half a sandwich or panini and Caesar salad or cup of soup ($5.99).

But in many cases, the best part of the sandwiches is the bread, and with good reason. The cafe bakes all its breads on location, pulling piping hot loaves of rustic Italian ciabatta, raisin pecan and harvest loaf from its ovens. Corner Bakery also offers a catering service.

Centerstage Reviewer: Corrie Driebusch