Scrumptious Desserts, Abundant Menu Choices! The Cheesecake Factory
Written: May 26 '03 (Updated May 26 '03)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Abundant Menu, Attentive Staff, Clean, Spacious, Heated Outdoor Dining
Cons: No Child Menu, Parking
The Bottom Line: Every item at The Cheesecake Factory is served attractively and in large portions. This facility is clean, attractive and the staff is attentive.
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| Lisa_J's Full Review: Cheesecake Factory |
Occasionally we like to venture to the Eastside, mainly for shopping at Bellevue Square, and while in that region an upscale casual dining choice is The Cheesecake Factory. This chain eatery offers an extensive menu that includes excellent variety and a wide price range, $4.99 - $24.95. As indicative, via the name, they offer an array of Signature Cheesecakes. In addition to the scrumptious desserts, The Cheesecake Factory offers an eclectic menu including Appetizers, Pizza, Pasta, Seafood, Steaks, Salads, Sandwiches, Omeletes, and Beverages. Every item is served attractively and in large portions. The interior is well designed, spacious, and non-cluttered. Friendly, attentive staff, whom provides excellent service without verging toward invasive stances, has enhanced our eatery visits.
Overall our experiences have been favorable at The Cheesecake Factory. I recommend this restaurant with two warnings, they don't accept reservations – so peak hours are incredibly busy – and they don't offer printed children's menus. Regardless I feel that all things considered this establishment is worthy of 5 stars, and we will continue to patronize the Bellevue, Washington location.
Kid Friendly? Slightly…
One negative point of The Cheesecake Factory is the lack of an actual children's menu. Considering that their menu offers approximately 12 pages of items, I feel that they could, and should, print a child menu. My children were overwhelmed, and slightly frustrated by the book like menu. Although there is no true kids menu, the server will tell you that certain menu options appeal to kids and that they do offer a Kid’s Pasta Marinara, not listed on the menu. This pasta dish is reasonable - $2.95. For the youngest guests (highchair aged) they provide a complimentary plate of banana slices and fresh bread. I really don't understand why they refrain from printing a child menu. Perhaps because they consider themselves "an upscale, casual dining restaurant" they want to discourage family dining. However my children are exceptionally well-behaved diners, and this eatery would receive more of our business if they implemented a kid friendly menu. After tearing apart their lack of menu, I feel that it is only fair to share about the manner in which the servers acknowledge the children, speaking to them, taking their order, checking with them regarding food satisfaction, refilling their beverages, and showing them respect. What The Cheesecake Factory lacks via menus or gadgets, they more than make up for via friendly and attentive staff. But, you have to decide if your child is ready for an upscale experience, at adult menu pricing.
Award Winning and Long-Lasting
The first Cheesecake Factory opened in Beverly Hills, in 1978. Since that point this chain has grown. But that wasn't the original starting point of this establishment. Back in 1949, Evelyn Overton, became noticed via her New York-style cheesecakes. Her ventures started small, grew to commercial bakery status, and moves forth to restaurant proportions now offering upscale casual dining. The Cheesecake Factory is the recipient of Restaurants and Institutions Magazine 2003 Choice in Chains Guest Satisfaction Award - "Casual Dining". Rather than divulge into more of this information I recommend visiting http://www.thecheesecakefactory.com/
Favorite Menu Selections
My Husband:
Chicken And Biscuits
The Club Sandwich
Cajun Chicken "Littles"
Sticky Chewy Chocolate Pecan Cheesecake
Chocolate Tuxedo Cream Cheesecake
Myself:
Luau Salad
Southern Fried Chicken Salad
Chinese Chicken Salad
Grilled Chicken Tostadas
Lemon Raspberry Cream Cheesecake
White Chocolate Raspberry Truffle
Dutch Apple Caramel Streusel
Favorite Vegetarian Selections:
Roasted Vegetable Quesadilla, Pasta With Four Cheeses', and Salads.
Location That We Frequent
BELLEVUE
401 Bellevue Square, Bellevue, WA 98004
(425) 450-6000
Yes We Recommend It
Our family appreciates the abundant meal choices, and although the extensive adult menus initially overwhelmed our children, they now appreciate the 'book' of selections. Honestly I think that the respect they are given from the wait staff, and other employees, is one of the primary reasons they enjoy this restaurant. The first time that we ate here I thoroughly enjoyed watching my oldest daughters reaction when the server delivered the slice of Linda's Fudge Cake, her eyes were 'as big as saucers'! My youngest daughter is such a selective eater. During our initial visit she had the Kid’s Pasta Marinara, minus the marinara, no butter, just Parmesan cheese. Unfortunately the chef prepared it with a lot of butter, no cheese. The server was quick to realize the look of despair, and remedied the situation.
I have been impressed with their unique salads. The servings sizes are abundant, really too much for me, especially when you want to save room for dessert. The quality of all meals and desserts has been superb. My husband has been equally impressed.
Adult friends that have accompanied us to The Cheesecake Factory have spoken favorably of the experience. A close friend of mine, a vegetarian, has been pleased with the menu options, and with the attentiveness of the staff with regard to her eatery requests. Speaking of requests, I have certain food allergies and aversions, again the staff is attentive and accommodating.
The location that we frequent is spacious, allowing privacy between dining parties (for the most part) and ample aisle spacing for getting to the restroom facilities or to and from the tables. In regards to the restroom facilities, they have been continuously well stocked and clean. Throughout the public areas, the flooring is composed of French limestone, and a contemporary flair exists.
Additionally this location has heated, outdoor dining. The service is as good when eating in that section. Because the outdoor area is below street surface, traffic noise isn't a challenge.
A worthy notation is that parking, although abundant via the neighboring Bellevue Square, is occasionally a fair distance away. During peak lunch and dinner times, the wait for seating can be extensive, and as mentioned, there are no reservations issued. In fact they won't seat you until your entire party has arrived. However the waiting area is spacious. Because of the popularity of this restaurant, the best time to visit is during mid-afternoon.
©2003 Lisa_J
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
Lisa_J
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 - Top 50 |
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Location: Pacific Northwest - Washington State
Reviews written: 1010
Trusted by: 667 members
About Me:
Mom of two wonderfully spirited daughters. Childcare Director. Spectator fan of dance.
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