Vacation: The New Clock Inn

The New Clock Inn
Sandy Lane
Fair Oak, Hampshire UK
http://www.hungryhorse.co.uk/index.php

The New Clock Inn used to be a "grubby ole boozer's pub" according to my husband. He should know - he spent many an evening there with his mates as a college student. Back then most pubs didn't offer food; it was a few packets of crisps (potato chips), pork scratchings and KP peanuts if there was anything at all. How times have changed.

The New Clock Inn
Steve was gobsmacked by the changes in this pub. It was clean, for a start. Gone were the nicotine-stained walls and ceiling, replaced by polished wood, cheery photos of bygone days and lots and lots and LOTS of flat-screen televisions broadcasting the match of the day. All these updates have been made possible by the Hungry Horse pub chain, owned by the Greene King Brewery.

The New Clock Inn is modelled on the typical American sports bar, although the food tended to rise above the burger-hot wings-pizza trifecta one normally sees across the big pond.

The garden patio
Although the vegetarian entrées sounded promising, (a choice of Vegetable Enchiladas or Wild Mushroom lasagna) I wasn't feeling hungry enough to tackle one, so opted for something from the pub's "lighter bites" menu instead, where veggie options were limited to a cheese and chutney baguette or a baked potato with a choice of toppings. I'm a sucker for chutney so the baguette option was a no-brainer.

Cheddar and mango chutney baguette
I was surprised that the baguette hadn't been sliced in half, and as my meal was classified as a sandwich I wasn't given any cutlery. I borrowed my husband's knife to halve the sandwich, but the salad garnish was left untouched since I didn't want to eat it with my fingers. The sandwich was ok, but I've made better ones at home. Still, it filled a gap and went well with the shandy I'd ordered. A shandy, for those who may not know, is beer flavored with ginger ale or lemon soda, usually to a ratio of half and half. It's quite refreshing.

The New Clock Inn isn't going to win any culinary awards, but it seems to be a popular place for the non-vegetarian. On the Sunday we visited the place was really hopping with families taking advantage of the Sunday Roast special, which consists of either roasted chicken, roast beef or roast pork served with roast potatoes, parsnips, carrots, peas, seasonal vegetable of the day and a Yorkshire pudding and gravy, all for around $10 per person.

Vacation: The Royal Oak

The Royal Oak
Wootton Rivers
Wiltshire, UK
Telephone: 01672 810322
http://www.wiltshire-pubs.co.uk/

Situated in the charming thatched village of Wootton Rivers, The Royal Oak dates from the mid-1500's and was originally a coaching inn comprised of three premises - the village bakery, the farriers and the old ale house. Stepping into the building is like stepping back in time; the oak-beamed ceilings are low, the glass windows are leaded and thick, and a barmaid stokes the flames in a rustic, open fireplace.

Welcome to The Royal Oak at Wootton Rivers
The building is a 16th century thatched-roof free house
The Royal Oak holds a very special place in our hearts; Steve and I were married here eleven years ago, and we make sure to revisit publicans John and Rosa at least once per year. It was sheer luck that we stumbled upon it, as Wootton Rivers is off the beaten path. While on our way to visit the pre-historic stone circle that surrounds the village of Avebury, we saw a hand-painted wooden sign along the A4 that said "Good pub food, next left." We decided to give it a try and found ourselves on a winding narrow road remniscent of Appalachia.

The entrance oozes olde world charm
You couldn't ask for a more picturesque setting for a wedding, so when we learned that they were not only licensed for weddings but also had charming bed & breakfast accomodation on premises, we were sold. We rented the entire B&B for our wedding party and it exceeded expectations on all counts: the rooms were cheerfully decorated and cozy, the country kitchen and modern bathroom facilities were of a high standard, and the breakfast was top-notch.

A sunny dining room
The well-stocked bar
An inviting log fire greets visitors during winter months
Wedding celebrations aside, the pub is a central figure in the daily life of those living in and around the village; farm hands in Wellies come in for a pint and a game of darts, posh-accented couples sip wine in the dining room, and ramblers stop by for lunch while their sad-eyed spaniels rest at their feet. There is a reason The Royal Oak has broad appeal across the classes: the homemade food is utterly fantastic.

Nearly everything on the menu is sourced locally, and each meal is executed with great care and attention. The descriptions do not do these dishes justice, but hopefully the photos will.

There are four vegetarian selections on The Royal Oak's impressive menu:
1. Stilton and vegetable bake w/ mixed salad
2. Homemade ratatouille topped w/ toasted brie and a mixed salad
3. Baked halloumie and mozzarella with chargrilled vegetables and mixes salad
4. Homemade country vegetable pie with salad and a choice of potatoes

At one time or another I have tried them all, and the consistancy of the kitchen is flawless. This time around I opted for the country vegetable pie, which is prepared with thick chunks of carrot, potato, swede, cauliflower and spices incased in a flaky filo-pastry. This simple, rustic meal was perfectly executed and tasted divine.

A mixed salad of field greens, sliced fruit & veg and homemade potato salad
The country vegetable pie with a side of chips
Inside it's a piping hot vegetable bonanza
The pub is what is known as a free house, which means that it is independently owned and operated, rather than owned by a brewery chain. In theory a free house can stock whatever brands it chooses from whichever breweries it chooses. You'll find an excellent selection of local cask beers at The Royal Oak, as well as a thoughtfully chosen selection of wines, after dinner drinks and spirits. If you are driving, however, it's probably best to stick to a selection from the sweets board.

The Sweets Board lists the day's desserts
Homemade brownie in chocolate sauce with vanilla bean ice cream
Orange sorbet is a refreshing finish
Stonehenge may be the most famous location in the county, but no trip to Wiltshire is complete without a visit to the bucolic village of Wootton Rivers, and while you're there, stop into the Royal Oak. You'll be glad you did.

Vacation: Fisher's Pond

The Fishers Pond
Main Road
Fisher's Pond, Eastleigh,
Hampshire, UK
Telephone: 02380 692209
http://www.vintageinn.co.uk/thefisherspondeastleigh/

Perched on the edge of the pond for which it is named, The Fishers Pond is a traditional country pub in the heart of Hampshire. The pond was originally part of a planned garden city, but the area was declared a green belt in the 1930's and further development ceased. When my father-in-law was a young lad, the pond had a designated swimming area and he regaled us with stories of learning to swim in these waters.

The Fishers Pond Pub

We were slightly confused about how to order at this pub. In most pubs you find a place to sit and note the table number, then place your order at the bar. Payment is made at the time of the order, rather than afterwards like at a restaurant. The table number helps the kitchen know where to bring the food when it is ready. At Fisher's Pond, there were no numbers on the tables, which usually means that a server will come by to take the order.

Not so at Fishers Pond. The tables weren't numbered and we assumed that someone would take our order. When they didn't we asked a member of staff, who told us that the bar would give us a large, numbered wooden spoon when we ordered, and that we should put it into the stone crock cutlery container on our table. Fair enough.

It seems that all English pubs are offering some sort of two or three-course lunch meal deal at the moment, and The Fishers Pond is no different. There are three starters on the lunch specials menu, all of which are vegetarian: breaded mushrooms, fresh cantaloupe melon, and the soup of the day. Steve and his Dad opted for the mushrooms, and I had tomato soup with roasted red peppers and fennel. It was a meal in itself and very tasty indeed. The butter for the bread was softened and easily spreadable - it may not seem like a big deal, but it's the little touches that can make or break a pub.

Large bowl of breaded mushrooms with dipping sauce
Tomato and fennel soup with thickly sliced bread and soft butter
There was only one vegetarian entree listed: pumpkin ravioli with rocket salad. I was intrigued enough to give it a shot. I found it to be a bit on the dry side, and wasn't wild about the salad, which was served on top of the ravioli rather than on the side. I had to remove and discard the wilted mess.

Portions at The Fishers Pond are very generous and unfortunately we didn't have room for a third course, although the profiteroles looked heavenly.

Ravioli covered in rocket salad
Steve opted for Shepherd's Pie with veggies and chips
A colorful array of sauces to try with the meals
The large, rambling structure sports a wall of windows facing the pond, and a lovely, well-used stone patio to enjoy the natural wildlife while supping a pint from their range of real ales. One of the nicest things about traditional English country pubs is their easy-going attitude toward animals. It is not uncommon to find dogs lounging on the pub carpet at their master's feet, or the publican's cat curled up in front of a roaring fire. I think it makes for a cozy atmosphere.

Traditional English pubs are very animal-friendly
The inviting patio overlooking the pond

New All-Vegan Restaurant Opens in Cincinnati

The grand opening is Saturday, March 21 from 12:30-4 p.m.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Loving Cafe
6227 Montgomery Rd.
Cincinnati, OH 45213
Phone: 513-731-2233
http://thelovingcafe.com/
info@thelovingcafe.com

Café Opens In Pleasant Ridge To Support Cincinnati Climate Protection Plan By Offering Plant Based Cuisine

Cincinnati, OH – Headlines around the world are drawing attention to our need to take swift action to reverse climate change. In response to Cincinnati’s own Climate Protection Action Plan, Loving Cafe offers plant based meals as a way to help citizens ease their dietary impact on the planet.

Every Earth loving Cincinnatian can be proud of our city’s Climate Protection Action Plan, which includes a thorough inventory of our collective carbon footprint contributions and recommendations for their mitigation. Also known as the Green Cincinnati Plan, this 212-page comprehensive report examines the potentially harmful effects of our current lifestyle in areas of transportation, energy, waste, land use and food choices. It’s in this last category that Loving Cafe feel they have an easy and delicious solution to offer those interested in greening their diet.

Loving Cafe’s hours are Tuesday – Saturday from 11am-7pm, with an offering of a variety of entirely plant based fare, meaning free of all animal products. The menu brings carbon savings in the form of veggie protein entrees, raw salads, organic smoothies, fair trade teas and fresh baked goods. Dishes like the Baked Spring Rolls, served with fried rice and a garden salad, allows the hungry environmentalist to save 1,000 gallons of water compared to consuming its animal-based counterpart!

In addition to a green menu, Loving Cafe’s environment was created using many found, reclaimed and reused materials. Many of the fixtures in the cafe came from local buildings around Cincinnati. The marble tabletops are taken from a stairway of a home in Walnut Hills; the counter and table bases came from the old Cleveland Machine Company building in Northside, the old doors used to face the counter came from a home in Roselawn and the shelving in the storage room came from a closed Office Depot. And for take-out food, the containers, cups and utensils, are composed of biodegradable and/or recyclable products.

At Loving Cafe, you’ll find a comfortable place to enjoy a meal with friends and family, confident that you’re replenishing your individual health, environment and community, as well as that of local farmers, vendors and the global fair trade market.

Vacation: Kuti's Noorani

Kuti's Noorani
465 The Square
Fair Oak, Eastleigh
Telephone: 023 8060 1901
http://www.kutis.co.uk/index.htm


Serving authentic Indian cuisine in the Bangladeshi style, Kuti's is a highly regarded, award winning small restaurant chain with locations in Southampton, Portswood, Wickham and Fair Oak. That the restaurant would open in the latter location is surprising, because Fair Oak is a small community, albeit with an attractive village centre. It is here that Kuti's has opened its stunning, cosmopolitan eatery.

Posh exterior
All decked out in the evening
Even first-time diners are greeted as old friends here, and as we sat on the sofa by the swish, LED-lit bar waiting for our friends to join us, we found an array of newspapers, magazines and complimentary bowls of Bombay Mix on the low tables to enjoy while we waited. I also noted that Kuti's logo - a woman holding a lotus flower - was woven into the lavender wool carpeting throughout the restaurant.

Elegant dining awaits
Service is impeccable and fastidious; on our first visit I was surprised when the waiter unfolded our linen napkins and covered our laps, however this didn't happen on a second visit, which coincided with a casual buffet night. It is difficult to forget that you are dining at Kuti's because there are constant reminders everywhere you look: spice shakers, plates, tablecloths, after-dinner chocolates, and of course the aformentioned carpet all sport the Kuti's name and logo.

The Kuti's logo is everywhere, even on the plates
The menu lists 11 vegetarian entrees and 14 sides, and these numbers don't take into account breads, rice dishes or desserts. Even more impressive is that Kuti's correctly categorizes their sides, which are often considered entrees in the states. Items like aloo gobi (potato and cauliflower) and palak chana (chick peas and spinach) are put in their rightful place.

There are some savory-sounding vegetarian entrees on the menu: Dum Aloo Kashmiri is small potatoes scooped out and stuffed with potato, herbs and spices and cooked in a cashew nut paste; Vegetable Dansak is lentils and vegetables in a sweet-sour hot sauce; and Karai Sabzi is listed as fresh vegetables, highly spices and cooked in the karai (similar to a wok) with fresh ginger, garlic, tomatoes, onion and capsicum.

A selection of starters. After this photo, I was so busy enjoying myself that I forgot to take photos!
The experience at Kuti's is top-notch, and even at £15 per person their buffet is far superior to any Indian buffet I've encountered in the states. The spread included six starters, three of which were vegetarian, and approximately half of the 12 entrees were vegetarian-friendly. I could have eaten nothing but the rice at Kuti's and been happy; delicately spiced with cardamom, it was so much tastier than the bog-standard basmati rice with green peas that one normally finds at Indian buffets. There were also an interesting and delicious array of desserts, including a gorgeous semolina pudding that I am going to try recreate at home.

Vacation: The Hut

The Hut
Bournemouth Road
Chandler's Ford
Hampshire, UK
Telephone: 02380 266626
www.beefeater.co.uk

It has been several years since we last stepped foot in The Hut, a Beefeater-brand pub of the Whitbread chain which comprises over 140 restaurants in the U.K., and I was surprised by the stylish, modern make-over that has taken place. Before, it felt a bit dowdy inside.

The Hut still looks like a traditional pub on the outside...
Now it was bang up to date with intimate, cozy booths, low lighting and contemporary fixtures and artwork. I'll admit to being slightly concerned by the etched images of leaping flames on the front door, which reminded me of something you'd see at an American steakhouse, but the theme is understandable since the chain prides itself on unique chargrilled meats.

...but inside it's stylishly up to date
The restaurant was advertising something called "Flaming Good Meal Deals" where diners before 6:30 p.m. can order a main course from a set list for £5.95, two courses for £7.95 or a three course meal for £9.95, and there are several vegetarian items to choose from for each course.

From the starters menu nachos and honeydew melon were the only two listed as vegetarian, although the server informed us that the garlic and herb breaded mushrooms were also vegetarian, even though the menu didn't indicate it as such. The restaurant also offers at least one vegetarian soup of the day, and on the day of our visit it was an enticing tomato-basil with peppercorn.

Although we were seated quickly and our order taken in a timely manner, the starters we ordered (soup for Steve and me, garlic mushrooms for my father-in-law) were slow to arrive. As the restaurant was virtually empty, we couldn't understand the hold-up. When it finally arrived the soup had a nice tangy flavor, although we could have done without the wedge of butter that came with the side of crusty bread. It was frozen and of absolutely no use.

Tomato soup with crusty baguette
On the mains list there are three vegetarian selections: Mediterranean spiral pasta, Mediterranean tomato risotto, and a quesadilla wrap. Knowing how difficult risotto can be and not really wanting the hassle of sending it back if it was wrong, I opted for the spiral pasta, which I figured would be difficult to mess up.

The pasta was ok but certainly wasn't worth the amount of time it took for it to arrive. The menu advertised it as a "rich tomato sauce with courgettes, peppers and soya beans, topped with cheese shavings." I wouldn't describe the sauce as "rich" at all - watery yes, but rich? Not so much. I was also at a loss to find the courgettes and soya beans, but after a thorough search finally located two tiny bits of diced courgette and a couple of soya beans hidden at the bottom of the dish. The pepper seemed more of a decoration than part of the meal; it was charred and inedible.

The spiral pasta was a letdown

We noticed that very few were taking advantage of the "Flaming Meal Deal" the day we were there - in fact there were very few in the restaurant, period. I cannot imagine how the restaurant would cope with a busy lunch service; Steve requested vinegar for his fish and chips and was over halfway finished with his meal by the time the server got around to bringing it to him.

I'd hazard a guess that word has gotten out about the exceptionally slow service. Our two course affair took over two hours and while we considered a dessert course (I really fancied profiteroles) at the end of the day we didn't want to waste another hour waiting for it.

Vacation: Wolfgang Puck's Airport Cafe

Wolfgang Puck's Airport Cafe
Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport
Terminal 3, Gate 17, Concourse B
Hebron, KY
859-767-4970

The Cincinnati/Northern KY International Airport is growing on us. The airport doesn't seem as busy as it once was - rising costs at Delta have forced the vacation traveler to consider low-cost airlines at rival airports - but it seems cleaner and more streamlined these days. Sure, it doesn't have the elegance of Amsterdam's Schiphol nor the sexy, sleek modernism of Københavns Lufthavn, and it certainly doesn't have the hustle and bustle of O'Hare or Heathrow, but it's efficient and easy to navigate, which score big points with travelers.

There are a fair number of eateries at CVG, but most are run-of-the-mill fast-food and snacky-snacky items like cinnamon rolls, cookies, doughnuts and frozen yogurt. We wanted something more substantial before our transatlantic flight, however, and a quick look at the menus of Outback Steakhouse and Max & Erma's confirmed a lack of vegetarian options. Luckily we had some time to kill and had a wander to the opposite end of Terminal 3, where a friendly face welcomed us to Wolfgang Puck's. The list of vegetarian-friendly options posted on their specials board lured me in.


Obviously this outpost lacks the wow-factor of a traditional Wolfgang Puck restaurant, but the stylish decor was impressive for an airport cafe. More important for me was the list of vegetarian options, which for an abbreviated menu were more than adequate. There are two vegetarian soups (tortilla and butternut squash) and two salads (spinach and mixed baby greens) for the light appetite, as well as two veg pizzas and three pastas on the entree menu. I opted for the linguini with tomato basil garlic sauce, which came with a side salad.

Baby greens with bright dressing
The salad dressing was delicate and tart, with bright hints of orange and thyme. Fantastic. The salad itself was a basic mix of baby greens, and the only complaint I have is that it was almost too cold to eat. I'm guessing the salads (plates and all) are stored in a frigid environment.

The linguini entree was the exact opposite - Holy cow but that melamine plate came out scorching and I burned myself on the first bite. The entree was inedible until it had time to cool, and I must admit that I thought it would be better than it was, given the chef's reputation. I've never had any of his range of frozen ready-meals, but I suspect the restaurant entree came from the same industrial kitchen.

Linguine in tomato-garlic sauce
Not so my husband's choice of roast chicken with garlic mashed potatoes. He was surprised to find a half-chicken on his plate - much more than he had envisioned. He was well pleased with his selection, and I was envious after I'd had a couple of forkfuls of those mashed potatoes. They were creamy and buttery and garlicky and amazing.

The stylish decor is inviting
Wolfgang Puck's Airport Cafe has a decent selection of bar drinks, but as it appeared that the corporate entity might have been at the restaurant assessing staff on the day of our visit, I'm very surprised that the bar would pair a bottle of beer with a lowball glass rather than a standard pilsner/drinking glass. It felt odd sipping a beer in a glass that I equate with whiskey. The managerial party taking notes on the staff should have meant a stellar dining experience, but although our server was energetic and friendly, she neglected to clear away our salad plates, which sat on the tiny table for our entire meal.

All in all, I found Wolfgang Puck's to be an alright place for a pre-flight meal and will most likely revisit the next time we travel, moreso because of the vegetarian options available rather than a genuine enjoyment of the food, which was just ok.

Still, it was better than the vegetarian meal served up by Delta a few hours later.
Delta Air Lines' sad excuse of a vegetarian meal

Keystone Bar & Grill

Keystone Bar & Grill
313 Greenup St.
Covington, KY
41011
859-261-6777
http://www.keystonebar.com/

Not long ago I received a letter in the mail from Keystone Bar & Grill, informing me that they have a new and improved menu. Along with the letter was a copy of their menu and a discount voucher, which is always an incentive in my book. I looked the menu over and noticed that they clearly mark their vegetarian options – another plus.

Keystone Bar and Grill, emphasis on bar
Looking over the menu I was sorry to see that they no longer list the vegetarian Shepherd’s Pie as an option, which I had enjoyed on a previous visit. There were, however, a couple of interesting sounding items: a veggie wrap, a black bean burrito and a Philly Phake, which is a hoagie sandwich made with chopped veggie burger in place of the usual meat. I also saw jalapeño corn pudding listed as a side, which sounds like all kinds of awesome, and there is an entire area of the menu devoted to various mac & cheese and quesadilla creations.

Steve and I met up with Shawn and Katy from FoodLuv to give the new menu a try, but the information packet had neglected to mention that they serve only a limited brunch menu until 3 p.m. on weekends. The web site does say this, but I hadn’t looked at it since I already had a copy of the menu. We couldn't hang around until the full menu was available, so brunch it was.

There are several vegetarian options on the brunch menu: a veggie frittata (eggs, spinach, artichoke hearts, red onion, roasted red peppers and Swiss cheese served with home fries, a pancake or fresh fruit); biscuits and veggie gravy; the ever-present veggie burger; grilled cheese; cheese quesadilla; the Hangover Burrito (scrambled eggs, home fries, onions, peppers and cheese in a wrap served with home fries); huevos rancheros; pancakes and French toast; and the intriguing-sounding potato crisp.

The menu says that the potato crisp is a large platter of hash browns stuffed with a variety of items. The Vegetarian Crisp includes spinach, tomatoes, onions, cheese and sour cream; the Gonzo Crisp has artichoke hearts, sun-dried tomato and gorgonzola cheese; the Margarite Crisp is stuffed with garlic, tomato and fresh mozzarella and topped with fresh basil; and the Gravy Crisp is stuffed with vegetarian gravy and cheese.

Katy and I opted for the vegetarian crisp, while Shawn took a chance on the vegetarian gravy crisp. Steve, the only carnivore in the group, chose a bacon burger. From both the menu and the server's description, we expected the potato crisp to be different than what we got. When our crisps arrived at the table they looked lonely and in sore need of accompaniment. A cup of fresh fruit or a side of spring mix salad would have made a ho-hum dish into something far more appealing.

The vegetarian potato crisp
Would you pay $8 for this?
What we got was basically a pile of shredded, fried potato with approximately a tablespoon each of tomato and onion, a sprinkling of cheese and one spinach leaf tucked inside. I could have made a much better version of this at home for a lot less than the $7.95 asking price.

Needlesstosay, we were not wowed by our potato crisps, and Shawn was doubly disappointed because his turned up stuffed with goetta instead of vegetarian mince and gravy, as he had requested. He had to sit and watch the rest of us dig into ours while he waited for the kitchen to correct his order. When it finally arrived, there was hardly any gravy in it!

Adding to the disappointment was an incredibly smoky environment. Keystone is definitely more of a bar than a restaurant; nearly every patron was drinking some type of alcoholic beverage while puffing away on a cig. Few bothered to order food. We were only in there an hour, but the smell clung to our clothing and hair for hours afterward.

LeBoxx Café

LeBoxx Café
819 Vine St.
Downtown
513-721-5638
www.leboxxcafe.com

Across Vine Street from the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, LeBoxx Café is a safe bet for a quick lunch during the work week. The restaurant fills up fast, so arrive early or be prepared to wait during the noontime rush.

LeBoxx serves up quick, no fuss meals: burgers, wraps and salads, with the odd taco and pizza selection thrown in for variety. The food isn't anything special, but I don't think anyone expects it to be. It's basic food service fare (think GFS or Sysco) served quickly by friendly staff at prices that won't break the bank.

There isn't much for the vegetarian diner - options are limited to a choice of salad, a cheese pizza or the ever-present veggie burger, which is what I opted for.

It was nice as far as veggie burgers go - whole black beans, corn kernels, and red bell pepper were visible inside the patty, which was topped with cheese and sauteed onion. Red onion, leaf lettuce and tomato arrive on the side, along with packets of mustard and mayo. The crispy-coated fries I opted for as a side instead of potato chips were a cut above the norm with nice crunch and flavor.

I thought the only thing that let the meal down was the coleslaw, which had a slightly fishy taste that put me off. At an extra $1.75, I wish I hadn't bothered.

Steve is particular about the plating of food - specifically he doesn't want his food served in a basket, which he finds insulting and puerile. Lucky for him LeBoxx served his BBQ Chicken Wrap on a regular plate. He thought the wrap was ok but didn't care for the BBQ sauce that came with it, saying it was too thick and overpowering, but since it's served on the side it's easy enough to adjust to your own taste.

My veggie burger arrived in a plastic basket, but I'm ok with that
The one area where LeBoxx could use some improvement is their check-out. Diners pay at the counter after the meal, and queues regularly stretch deep into the dining room. It's difficult to tell who is waiting for a table, and who is waiting to pay and leave. Adding to the confusion, there are only two cash registers, one of which seems to be purely for take-out orders. Be sure to factor in an additional 10-15 minutes for this if you visit during the height of the lunch rush.