Thursday, January 22, 2009
Order in the court! Eating now allowed in 'The Judge's Chambers'
Larry Bly
Larry Bly runs an ad agency and does freelance writing in the Roanoke area.
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Editor's note: An earlier version of this story noted an incorrect location for The Judge's Chambers. The story has been changed to reflect the correct location.
There's a new restaurant in downtown Roanoke, on First Street, in the old Peanut Store location, called The Judge's Chambers.
The smallish, long dining room is chock full of original art by Linda Taylor; depicting various court-related venues, all painted in a bold-brush, whimsical manner. The menu carries this theme with headings such as "Judicial Salads," "Judge's Lite Sentence," "The Lunch Docket" and the "Breakfast Docket." Yeah, you get the idea. Someone stayed up late thinking these up, all in good fun.
The restaurant is a no-frills kind of place. You walk through the door, are greeted at the counter to place your order, pick up your drink, and go off to find either a table or a counter spot to await your fresh sandwich, soup or salad.. The smallness of the place works to their advantage. I found it to be intimate and warm, especially on a cold winter's day.
They have freshly brewed coffees, including a French blend (my favorite). Or order up soft drinks from a cooler.
My sandwich was prepared to order and delivered with chips and pickle spear within a short period of time. I had "The Defender" (enough already), which is corned beef, salt-cured cabbage, pepper jack cheese and fat-free thousand island dressing. It's a big sandwich and trimmings for only $7.50, as are most of the sandwiches offered. Others include (and I'll spare you the legal names here) pastrami and cheese; turkey, bacon and provolone; grilled chicken. For the root-munchers, there are three very nice vegetarian sandwiches. I chose mine on rye. You can have sandwiches on whole wheat. Or make it a panini wrap.
Salads include a simple and inexpensive house salad. Or choose, for just a few more dollars, a grilled chicken breast on lettuce, turkey and lettuce with bacon, a grilled veggy and turkey, or a homemade tuna or chicken salad. There's the "Exonerated" -- roasted red pepper, red onions, pepper jack cheese, grape tomatoes, 'cukes and baby spinach.
Things are kept simple. Most sandwiches are knocked out on a commercial panini machine and arrive hot and yummy. I like the fact that sandwiches are served with Sun Chips instead of the regular potato chips. I don't allow myself Sun Chips at home (I'm too chubby these days) but love the fact that it comes standard with a sandwich here.
If you really want to go light for lunch, order homemade salsa with multigrain chips, salsa with roasted corn or homemade salsa with black beans and chips.
For breakfast, enjoy bagels and croissants, or egg/bacon/sausagecheese wraps. My friends are fond of the "Juvenile Offender" -- no, not the next-door neighbor's kid -- but the egg, cheese, peppers, onions, turkey bacon and turkey sausage in a wrap, bagel or croissant. Breakfast items start at $3.75 and top out at $7 or so.
Alas, there was no "hung jury" on the menu. I was "guilty" of liking the food.
Court adjourned!
THE JUDGE'S CHAMBERS
304-A First St.
Roanoke, VA 24011
540-206-3582
