Bites Nearby: The Cheesecake Factory, Pleasanton

If I were picking a slogan for The Cheesecake Factory, it probably would be "Go Big or Go Home." Everything about the place is larger than life. Take the menu, for instance. It is like a novel and it can take 5 or 10 minutes to read through all 20 pages. 

I think the reason that The Cheesecake Factoryis so popular across the country is the fact that you can make it any kind of eatery you can imagine. You can come in for small plates and drinks late at night. You can choose a full-blown meal with appetizers. You can partake of its Sunday brunch and I would be remiss if I didn't mention that you can come in for ... the cheesecake! 

Small-plate and appetizer offerings include asparagus salad, shrimp scampi crostini and roadside sliders. My favorites are the avocado egg rolls — big pieces of avocado mixed with sun-dried tomatoes, red onion and cilantro and fried, with tamarind-cashew sauce for dipping. This is a rich appetizer, but perfect if you are just having starters and drinks. Small plates and appetizers run $4.95 to $11.95. 

The Cheesecake Factory has a large assortment of pizzas, from traditional pepperoni to roasted vegetable and goat cheese. It also has specialties ranging from glamburgers (more than a dozen hamburger choices) to shepherd's pie to spicy cashew chicken. 

On a recent visit I had the barbecued salmon, which was served in a light barbecue glaze with mashed potatoes and vegetables and topped with cripsy onion straws for $14.95. 

One of my companions had the seared tuna tataki salad — slightly spicy tuna served rare with avocado and tomato mixed with greens in a wasabi vinaigrette for $15.95.

My other companion had the stuffed chicken tortillas. Imagine spicy chicken stuffed into corn tortillas that are smothered with melted cheese, green onion and tomatillo sauce. They are served with black beans, salsa and sour cream along with grilled corn cakes. These slightly sweet little bites are delicious. The stuffed chicken tortillas were $13.95.

You also can find pasta dishes, seafood, steaks and chops, salads and sandwiches. The possibilities are endless. There are even some items that are termed "weight management" but, again, I say at The Cheesecake Factory you need to go big or go home. 

The desserts are the stars at The Cheesecake Factory. I have never met one I didn't like. Once I was coerced into sharing a piece of pina colada cheesecake that I was very reluctant to try. I took a bite and couldn't stop myself from wanting more. If you have never tried cheesecake, this restaurant is where you should start. You just can't go wrong with something like the Godiva chocolate cheesecake — layers of flourless Godiva chocolate cake with a layer of Godiva chocolate cheesecake and chocolate mousse. Heaven on a plate, I say!

The slices are 7 or 8 inches high. They are easily shared by a couple people or you can take a slice home and enjoy a few bites for a couple days (if you can resist gorging yourself).   

If you cannot see yourself having cheesecake, the restaurant has some wonderful alternatives such as the lemoncello cream torte, which I often share with my gal pals: delicious layers of vanilla cake and lemon marscarpone cream topped with streusel and served with a huge dollop of whipped cream and sliced strawberries. The cheesecake slices and other desserts run about $7 per slice.

Now I can't forget to mention the drinks at The Cheesecake Factory. It has a huge selection of specialty drinks and nine martinis, five mojitos and five margaritas. It has even started offering lower-calorie cocktails. Beer, wine, cognac, Port and sherry are on hand and you can even enjoy some champagne. It has lattes and mochas, including specialties such as white chocolate raspberry and honey vanilla lattes. Diners also can enjoy fruit smoothies and three types of flavored lemonade. 

You should never have trouble finding a dish that you like at The Cheesecake Factory. This place has something for everyone; you just need to come with an empty stomach and a big appetite.  

The Cheesecake Factory has a curbside to-go option and offers catering. The restaurant does not take reservations, so be prepared to wait.

The Cheesecake Factory, 1350 Stoneridge Mall Road, Pleasanton. 925-463-1311. Monday - Thursday 11 a.m. -11 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 11 a.m.-midnight; Sunday 10 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sunday brunch 10 a.m.-2 p.m.