The Panera location at Square One is usually a solid experience.
I've come here multiple times for meetings, and I enjoy the ambience of the cafe. One thing that sets it apart from Artisano Bakery is the varying types of seating options. You can either sit at a standard table or get one of the booths that feel almost insulated due to how high the partitions are. It's a great feature for anyone who doesn't want to listen to the people talking loudly behind them.
I've only been here for breakfast specials, but their $6.99 early-morning option is usually filling and well-varied (with the sandwiches being quite good). I also enjoy having the option to fill my own coffee/tea, which is something I haven't seen at many other places.
It's definitely a place to check out if you're going with family, on a date or just want to check it out for yourself.