Nibbles of Tidbits, a Food Blog

Continuing with our sampling of The Cheesecake Factory’s Small Plates and Snacks Menu, this visit we tried a few of their newest additions — Pictured are the Crispy Crab Bites ($6.95), Mini Corn Dogs (4.95) and Fried Zucchini ($3.95).

We loved the Crispy Crab Bites — The Creole Mustard Sauce that’s served with them is a perfect compliment.  The Mini Corn Dogs are made with Nathan’s Hot Dogs which is good, but we thought the batter was bland.  We  have no complaints about the Fried Zucchini and especially like the Ranch Dressing that’s served with it.  It’s another tasty combination.

We’ve had a lot of great meals at The Cheesecake Factory — You can see them all here.

Can you believe this is a lunch portion Salad?  I love the large portions served at The Cheesecake Factory, even when they’re supposed to be smaller.  Today we had the Chinese Chicken Salad, Barbeque Chicken Pizza, Crispy Artichoke Hearts and the Pasta Carbonara.

We enjoyed our meals, but found the Pasta Carbonara to be pretty bland and it needed more Sauce — However, with a little Salt and additional Sauce it was much better.  Nibbles of Tidbits has previously posted several Cheesecake Factory reviews and food photos.  Please see links below to view all.

MORE Cheesecake Factory Reviews & Food

Cheesecake Factory MENU

The “Special Menu” is the Cheesecake Factory’s New Small Plates & Snacks and Specialties Menu.  Here we had the Beets With Goat Cheese Salad and a Margherita Pizzette.  The plates are “small” as they note, but the prices are small too — Each was $4.95.  It’s a better lunch than fast food for the same price, except for the tip. 🙂

Related Links:

http://www.cheesecakefactory.com/menu.htm

http://www.ineedtext.com/FoodBlog/?p=1960

The Cheesecake Factory now offers a low priced “Small Plates & Snacks” Menu.  It’s currently in paper form and separate from their laminated menu-magazine.  The Small Plates Menu presents several unique and tasty food choices under $5.   We’ve only had the Fried Artichoke Hearts (pictured above) for $3.95.  That’s a pretty good deal, so I look forward to trying more options.  The prices make it possible — They’re great for the quality the Cheesecake Factory seems to maintain.  Also pictured is the Grilled Chicken Tostada Salad, one of the CF’s Salads that come in full portion only.  It’s a perfect Salad for two, since it’s served on two separate Tostada Shells.  It’s obviously not on the Small Plates Menu, but we shared it this day.

We’ve reviewed other Cheesecake Factory dishes and LOVE their Taquitos and many other items.

Another Mystery Shop at The Cheesecake Factory.  It appears the company really cares about customer satisfaction.  That’s a very good thing.  This lunch visit I had Renee’s Special.  I’m not sure who Renee is, but the Baked Potato Soup was amazing.  I’ll go back just for it.  The Cheesecake Factory possibly offers the most menu items I’ve ever seen.  I could eat there every day for a month!  I’d bet that all would be good too.  Renee’s Special includes the choice of two Sandwiches and comes all together with Soup of the Day and a Salad.  It’s a good combination for some, but there’s too many other options to get it again.

Related Links:

http://www.ineedtext.com/FoodBlog/?p=1304

http://www.ineedtext.com/FoodBlog/?p=1185

http://www.thecheesecakefactory.com/default.asp

I recently conducted a Mystery Shop for an un-named company — The assignment was to order something TO GO from The Cheesecake Factory at Fashion Island in Newport Beach.  It sounded like a great project to me, so I chose the Spicy Chicken Chipotle Pasta, called it in, then picked it up about 15 minutes later.  And I was very happy to report that the service and food quality were excellent.  I’d have this dish again too.

I love Fashion Island — It’s got some great restaurants and three of many are just steps away from each other.  Actual view pictured above from left to right is California Pizza Kitchen, P.F. Chang’s China Bistro and The Cheesecake Factory, where I picked up my lunch.  During the day you can see the Pacific Ocean from the windows of these restaurants.

Related Links:

http://www.thecheesecakefactory.com/

http://www.ineedtext.com/FoodBlog/?p=1185

http://www.shopfashionisland.com/

http://www.pfchangs.com/

http://www.cpk.com/

“Crispy Taquitos” are an unlikely choice at The Cheesecake Factory, especially since there are so many great Mexican Food Restaurants around, but they make them soooo good.  We recently had ’em on the patio at Bella Terra in Huntington Beach. 

It’s our third time eating them and they’ve been consistently tasty each time.  They are made with Spicy Chicken and can be found under Appetizers on The Cheesecake Factory’s magazine-menu, if you know what I mean.  You can take a peek at the link below.

Related Links:

http://www.cheesecakefactory.com/

http://www.cheesecakefactory.com/menu.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Cheesecake_Factory

Apparently my “Cheesecake Flavor” is Adam’s Peanut Butter Cup Fudge Ripple — An interesting combination that I wouldn’t generally pick, but it was fun taking The Cheesecake Factory’s ‘What Cheesecake Flavor Are You?’ Quiz.  I like the song on the site too.  Aside from the quiz, my favorite flavor has actually been White Chocolate Raspberry Truffle. 

My designated flavor describes me (and the Cheesecake) as “The incredible mix of qualities that makes you so appreciated is nothing short of miraculous, much like this Cheesecake.  A lot goes into this flavor… Just like you, it’s an awe-inspiring combination of ingredients not soon forgotten.”

Learn About “Your Flavor” HERE:
https://promos.thecheesecakefactory.com/

My Flavor INFO:
https://promos.thecheesecakefactory.com/eslice.php?code=P4-T14-Shelly

My 2nd Flavor INFO:
https://promos.thecheesecakefactory.com/eslice.php?code=P4-T11-Borrell

* The photograph is unrelated to The Cheesecake Factory.  It’s what Lake Arrowhead looked like a week ago driving down the mountain.  It’s beautiful, but makes me want to stay warm inside, and take this quiz. 🙂

Grilling Scallops with an ocean backdrop — It’s for Share Our Strength’s Taste of the Nation at the Montage Laguna Beach, dedicated to making sure no kid in America grows up hungry.

There were familiar faces from Top Chef, Top Chef Masters and other popular local restaurants.

The event was staffed and serviced to the hilt — Welcoming and immediately clearing plates.

All was top notch — From the view to the never-ending, high quality food. 

Top Chef Masters Winner, Floyd’s Shrimp with Watermelon, Arugula and Mint was a favorite. 

Do you remember Jennifer from Top Chef Season 6?

She served a Duck Heart Salad — I tried it.  Check.  Thank you.  The end.

And there was a Salmon Roe Panna Cotta type dish — Tried it too and no can do.

Hey what’s that behind you?  Lo siento.

The longest line was for Alan Wong’s Short Ribs with Shrimp, deservingly so.

Tender, sauced-up, slow cooked Short Ribs topped with a sautéed Shrimp.

It was a lot of flavor in a beautiful, generous dish — Impressive.

Remember Michael from Top Chef 6 — He’s one of the two brothers I could never tell apart.

Okay, I really liked his “Cold Cuts” with a liquid nitrogen type of Horseradish Cheese, I think.

Until I learned it’s Tongue, and then slowed down on the Cold Cut party train.

Guests purchased keys to potentially unlock and take home displayed liquor towers.

The day was a bit overcast, but still picturesque.

Perfectly cooked Lamb Loin hand delivered by Montage Laguna Beach servers.

There was a silent and live auction to raise even more money for the important cause.

The Montage Laguna Beach grounds are exquisite.

Set up (below) for the VIP after party to meet the Chefs.

I feel I already met them, as each handed me their delicious dish — Sufficiently satisfied.

My silent auction bid landed me (2) Tickets to the Irvine Improv, $25 at The Cheesecake Factory and more.  I’m happy to contribute and partake.  I appreciate all my blessings.