The Cheesecake Factory
71 Fortune Drive
Irvine, CA 92618
(949) 788-9998
http://www.thecheesecakefactory.com/
Located in the ever-growing Irvine Spectrum (http://www.shopirvinespectrumcenter.com/), is another Cheesecake Factory. I cannot think of a time when I have taken someone to this restaurant and he or she was not completely satisfied. The wait staff is attentive, always refilling your drink, offering suggestions, and customizing your order. This evening I tried a new dish, the Chicken Bellagio. The dish was comprised of a pasta similar to spaghetti but with a basil flavor running throughout the noodles, breaded chicken, similar to the chicken costoletta, tosses in a light parmesan cream sauce, and topped with arugula. If you like the chicken costoletta, I think that you will be please with this dish. It came with more than enough food to satisfy me, and that is not an easy task. The noodles were delicious and the chicken was delightfully tender.
This item was listed on a special side menu that was not part of the main list of options. I would recommend this dish for someone who is hungry, not counting calories, and not in the mood for a light snack.
The Cheesecake Factories to which I have been are usually located in nice shopping centers with pleasant surroundings, making them ideal for a quick bite to a nice date.
Don't forget that the Pumpkin Cheesecake and the Pumpkin Pecan Cheesecakes are both in season.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Thai Bamboo Bistro
Thai Bamboo Bistro
The District at Tustin Legacy
Tustin, CA
www.thedistricttl.com
When I think of Thai food, I generally tend to think of food that runs from $5 to $8 per entree and a menu that includes the commonly found Thai options such as Pad Thai, Pad See Ewe, and Pad Kee Mow. Along with these entrees, I expect to see coconut milk soup, lemon grass soup, and of course, the ever-popular Thai Iced Tea.
Having sampled a great deal of Thai food in various cities, and noting that the cuisine generally falls in the same price range, I am always curious what bonus I am receiving for eating at an establishment that serves the same dishes I have had time and again for double the price. Thai Bamboo Bistro is another example of this situation. With the various noodle dishes running from $11 to $15 and the Tom Kah Kai (coconut milk soup) running around $10, I realize that all I am paying for is the high-rent district and minor upgrade in atmosphere.
As those who live in Orange County, CA know, The District at Tustin Legacy is a new shopping center located at the former Tustin Air Base. It is likely to be a somewhat high-rent area as it is one of the new hot spots. Thai Bamboo Bistro is located in the section of the center with quite a few other restaurants, and likely it depends on walk-by traffic a bit. In terms of atmosphere, it probably caters to those who are looking for casual dining that's a step up from a Thai restaurant such as Thai Spice, which although tasty, serves their food on paper plates with plastic utensils.
This eatery is definitely a step up in terms of atmosphere, but I find that the large flat panel television mounted in the center of the restaurant brings it down a notch. After tasting 3 dishes, I found that neither the Pad Thai or Pad See Ewe truly tickled my taste buds enough to justify a price double that of Thai Spice. With a total bill of around $40 for 2 people (one with one glass of wine and me with a diet soda), I would have preferred dinning for under $20 and eaten with plastic utensils.
Of course, for those of you who are on a date or looking for a casual eatery, this could make a good choice. Clearly the paper plate option is the most casual available, and not appropriate for a date or a variety of other situations.
As always, it depends on why you are going out to eat. As it to be entertained and in a certain environment, or simple for great food at a local hole in the wall.
The District at Tustin Legacy
Tustin, CA
www.thedistricttl.com
When I think of Thai food, I generally tend to think of food that runs from $5 to $8 per entree and a menu that includes the commonly found Thai options such as Pad Thai, Pad See Ewe, and Pad Kee Mow. Along with these entrees, I expect to see coconut milk soup, lemon grass soup, and of course, the ever-popular Thai Iced Tea.
Having sampled a great deal of Thai food in various cities, and noting that the cuisine generally falls in the same price range, I am always curious what bonus I am receiving for eating at an establishment that serves the same dishes I have had time and again for double the price. Thai Bamboo Bistro is another example of this situation. With the various noodle dishes running from $11 to $15 and the Tom Kah Kai (coconut milk soup) running around $10, I realize that all I am paying for is the high-rent district and minor upgrade in atmosphere.
As those who live in Orange County, CA know, The District at Tustin Legacy is a new shopping center located at the former Tustin Air Base. It is likely to be a somewhat high-rent area as it is one of the new hot spots. Thai Bamboo Bistro is located in the section of the center with quite a few other restaurants, and likely it depends on walk-by traffic a bit. In terms of atmosphere, it probably caters to those who are looking for casual dining that's a step up from a Thai restaurant such as Thai Spice, which although tasty, serves their food on paper plates with plastic utensils.
This eatery is definitely a step up in terms of atmosphere, but I find that the large flat panel television mounted in the center of the restaurant brings it down a notch. After tasting 3 dishes, I found that neither the Pad Thai or Pad See Ewe truly tickled my taste buds enough to justify a price double that of Thai Spice. With a total bill of around $40 for 2 people (one with one glass of wine and me with a diet soda), I would have preferred dinning for under $20 and eaten with plastic utensils.
Of course, for those of you who are on a date or looking for a casual eatery, this could make a good choice. Clearly the paper plate option is the most casual available, and not appropriate for a date or a variety of other situations.
As always, it depends on why you are going out to eat. As it to be entertained and in a certain environment, or simple for great food at a local hole in the wall.
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