Bites Nearby: Cheesecake Factory's Large Portions are More Than Enough

The Village Shopping Center

1736 Redwood Highway, Corte Madera

945-0777

Open: Mon-Thu 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; Fri-Sat 11 a.m.-midnight; Sun 10 a.m.-10 p.m.

Overview:

This 150-unit chain has been best known for enormous portions of food in a glitzy atmosphere, but in 2007 they downsized the amount of food served. Not only did they downsize portions, but they added both healthy choices and a kids’ menu. 

The Cheesecake Factory really represents what is American food today, with 200-plus items on the menu, featuring a little Italian, Asian, Mexican, plus American comfort food.

Décor:

Think Las Vegas casino-style décor transported to the suburbs. The over-the-top look adds to a festive vibe.

The Drinks:

There is a full bar with specialty cocktails; wine by the glass, bottles of wine and (4) draft and (16) bottled beers. Smoothies and every manor of coffee drinks adds to the choices.

Appetizers:

All the usual suspects: guacamole, tamale cakes, Buffalo wings, Viet shrimp rolls, fried salmon rolls, popcorn shrimp, crabcakes and a slew of salads. Name a trendy dish from the last 20 years and it’s there.

Entrees:

Again they have tons of entrees from pastas to steaks to chicken and ethnic specialties.

On a visit years ago, I was served a salad that would have served the entire 7th Fleet. Taste=mediocre.

On a very recent visit, since it was before 5 p.m., I had the Renee’s Special, a lunch entrée that encompasses one half a chicken-almond salad sandwich, a cup of broccoli-cheese soup and salad, cost $10.50. I switched to a Caesar salad for $1 more.

As you can see from the photo, the sandwich has two parts, not just one half, the cup of soup really is a bowl and the Caesar salad overflows the plate.

The soup was thick and delish, as was the thin sandwich. But, as a former cook, who made 10,000 Caesars in Berkeley, the salad was a disappointment, because it was made with the tough, dark outer leaves.

However, the original cheesecake, topped with a thin layer of sour cream, which didn’t need the glob of whipped cream, was perfect.

Desserts:

Besides cheesecake there are sundaes, cake, pie and a simple bowl of strawberries.

Service:

Ranging from friendly to my recent server/bartender, who was neither friendly nor efficient.

Signature Dish:

Cheesecake, of course. There are 33 types, from weird concoctions like Dutch apple caramel streusel cheesecake.

Cost:

($$)  $11-$17

Handicap accessible:

Yes

Noise:

Can talk easily