website: http://www.thecheesecakefactory.com
location: various locations, i visited the walden galleria location in buffalo, new york (walden galleria, cheektowaga, 716-685-2600)
restaurant type: nicer sit down restaurant and dessert place with western food options
price range: $10 - $50 usd
dress code: casual to business casual, jeans and runners are acceptable, suits and uber dressy clothing less likely
ideal for: friends with an occasion or looking for something interesting, dates
worth grins:
- big selection of menu options
- long list of cheesecakes to choose from
- combination platters
- big portions (for a canadian anyways)
worth shaking fists:
- preferred menu items not kept in stock
- "blue rare" steaks are not an option
- long wait times for tables
- poor lighting
my tastes:
i guess i should warn you before you get too far into this review that it is going to be long and full of mixed content. my (first) experience with "the cheesecake factory" was yesterday and it was kind of bittersweet to put it in food context. it was like a roller coaster ride with lots of ups and downs, some more tolerable than others. so i felt the urge to actually write about the whole experience.
the restaurant itself was pretty nice. having opened very recently it was nicely decorated with a warm yet active feel. the high ceiling gave the impression of openness even though the tables were crowded a little closer than ideal. the lively atmosphere of random conversation and various guests made it seem more fun than expected. for some strange reason though the lighting changed a lot near the end of our meal going from a warm orangey lighting to a strangely depressing dimness.
to start the review of my experience eating at "the cheesecake factory", i must say the wait for our table was horrendous. granted it was prime dinner time but to be told "twenty to forty minutes" followed by "here is your pager so we can page you when you get your pager...but you have to stay within the immediate area of the restaurant" is a little ridiculous. i mean, a nice restaurant located in a mall that is smart enough to use a pager system should be smart enough to give it enough range to go to at least the nearby stores. but no, a few of us ended up sitting on a bench outside the restaurant waiting while the rest of the group went and finished their shopping (by that i really mean the boys sat on the bench waiting while the girls went shopping).
once we got our table it was kind of nice. we were shown our table, given our menus, and our server showed up within five minutes asking if we wanted anything to drink. the menu was pleasantly long with lots of options to choose from in a variety of categories (although this did cause the more indecisive individuals to run into some difficulties). i thought the most enjoyable part of the menu (sadly, also the part to disappoint me later on) was the "factory combinations" section. it started when i (finally) narrowed it down to "herb crusted filet of salmon" and "steak diane" when i noticed the "factory combinations" section where there was the item "steak diane and herb crusted salmon" which was exactly what i wanted. unfortunately, when i got back to the table from the restroom i was told by my friends that they were out of steak diane. i was devastated. apparently it is one of their more popular items and they had run out, which to me is a big mistake on the part of the restaurant. how can they not stock up on their more popular items during a well-known long weekend when "foreigners" (aka canadians) are going to be visiting the closest major mall to the border?
sigh, i ended up sharing a "hibachi steak" with a friend. it was quite nice, came pre-cut and laid out on the plate along with our "wasabi mashed potatoes" which i was very hesitant about. see, i really like mashed potatoes and i like wasabi...but i like them separately. i am not really sure if it was a good thing or a bad thing but the "wasabi mashed potatoes" did not taste that much like wasabi. when compared with regular mashed potatoes from someone else's meal i could not noticeably tell the difference between the two. the steak on the other hand was quite nice, cooked to a deep red rare ("blue rare" was not an option apparently), sitting in a small serving of "soy steak sauce" that tasted slightly sweet and a little like teriyaki sauce. the only downside to the steak was the tough cutting involved for some inexplicable reason.
the cheesecake i had was "chocolate oreo mudslide cheesecake" and it is as sweet as the name implies. i was fortunate that the person who i shared the "hibachi steak" with is a light eater and we ended up sharing dessert as well because i would not have finished it otherwise. the cheesecake was thick, heavy, and very sweet (as expected). it was good but had my friends not warned me in advance about how heavy they are, i would have had to pack the whole thing minus maybe one or two bites.
overall, the experience was pretty good. the wait would not have been so bad had our group not been tired from travelling from another country followed by shopping. i would have enjoyed it a whole lot more had my first choice in menu options was available. what i ended up having was really quite good and my original hesitations were not a problem at all. the cheesecake was definitely really good...to the point that i ended up buying the most expensive six-inch cheesecake ever in my life (at around twenty usd) without hesitation.
Tuesday, July 3, 2007
cora's breakfast and lunch
website: http://www.chezcora.com
location: various locations, i visited the unionville location (3760 highway 7, 905-489-2446)
restaurant type: well done diner or typical sit down restaurant, wide variety of western breakfasts
price range: $8 - $20
dress code: very casual, jeans and runners are the norm
ideal for: casual meals (breakfast or lunch only) with family and/or friends
worth grins:
- most options come with fruit
- good presentation of food
- comfortable and fun environment
worth shaking fists:
- can be noisy because of young children
- can be slightly pricey (especially for breakfast)
- only early birds do not have to wait for a table
my tastes:
"cora's" was one of those restaurants that i could not really understand when i first heard about it. the place is only open for half the day, the first half no less being a breakfast and lunch restaurant. economically, it does not make sense to be open for business during the times when people are either in a rush to get to work/school or are sleeping in. after going the first couple of times i started to understand. the place is popular. unless you go fairly early you are likely to have to wait a little for a table.
i think "cora's" is one of those breakfast type places that i would not go on a regular basis simply because of cost reasons. much as i like my sunny-side-up eggs, i would rather not pay in excess of ten dollars for breakfast...even if it comes with intricately cut fruit. i went yesterday and paid seven or eight dollars for breakfast, and that was sharing two breakfast options with between three of us. for the odd occasion of meeting with friends or going with family, i would not mind since it is a fairly nice place to go to first thing in the morning (the most optimal being my bed, especially on weekends).
breakfast food is fairly standard and you have to be a pretty bad restaurant to be able to screw up eggs and sausage. fortunately, "cora's" does not have this problem at all. "cora's" in fact serves your typical breakfast choices with refreshing additions of fruit and some variety in sides. i was particularly impressed with the cinnamon-bun-like bread that came with the "1970's harvest" which was sweet but not overly so. the rest of the breakfast food was at least at par if not a little better: the eggs were done right, the bacon was crispy and not burnt, pancake was not mushy, and the portions were pretty good. the fruit that comes with the breakfast was nice, it would have been even better if they were more fresh and sweeter (so as not to be drowned out by the cinnamon bun or syrup).
overall, i would say cora's is worth trying and going back to again on the odd occasion. the service is good with servers eager to please (refilled the hot water before we even thought to ask). for the price you pay, you do get a reasonable portion of food and it does come in a interesting presentation. i think the only downside is that the variation on what would normally be a typical breakfast screws up my somewhat obsessive compulsive eating sequence but i can handle that...for the most part...maybe...
location: various locations, i visited the unionville location (3760 highway 7, 905-489-2446)
restaurant type: well done diner or typical sit down restaurant, wide variety of western breakfasts
price range: $8 - $20
dress code: very casual, jeans and runners are the norm
ideal for: casual meals (breakfast or lunch only) with family and/or friends
worth grins:
- most options come with fruit
- good presentation of food
- comfortable and fun environment
worth shaking fists:
- can be noisy because of young children
- can be slightly pricey (especially for breakfast)
- only early birds do not have to wait for a table
my tastes:
"cora's" was one of those restaurants that i could not really understand when i first heard about it. the place is only open for half the day, the first half no less being a breakfast and lunch restaurant. economically, it does not make sense to be open for business during the times when people are either in a rush to get to work/school or are sleeping in. after going the first couple of times i started to understand. the place is popular. unless you go fairly early you are likely to have to wait a little for a table.
i think "cora's" is one of those breakfast type places that i would not go on a regular basis simply because of cost reasons. much as i like my sunny-side-up eggs, i would rather not pay in excess of ten dollars for breakfast...even if it comes with intricately cut fruit. i went yesterday and paid seven or eight dollars for breakfast, and that was sharing two breakfast options with between three of us. for the odd occasion of meeting with friends or going with family, i would not mind since it is a fairly nice place to go to first thing in the morning (the most optimal being my bed, especially on weekends).
breakfast food is fairly standard and you have to be a pretty bad restaurant to be able to screw up eggs and sausage. fortunately, "cora's" does not have this problem at all. "cora's" in fact serves your typical breakfast choices with refreshing additions of fruit and some variety in sides. i was particularly impressed with the cinnamon-bun-like bread that came with the "1970's harvest" which was sweet but not overly so. the rest of the breakfast food was at least at par if not a little better: the eggs were done right, the bacon was crispy and not burnt, pancake was not mushy, and the portions were pretty good. the fruit that comes with the breakfast was nice, it would have been even better if they were more fresh and sweeter (so as not to be drowned out by the cinnamon bun or syrup).
overall, i would say cora's is worth trying and going back to again on the odd occasion. the service is good with servers eager to please (refilled the hot water before we even thought to ask). for the price you pay, you do get a reasonable portion of food and it does come in a interesting presentation. i think the only downside is that the variation on what would normally be a typical breakfast screws up my somewhat obsessive compulsive eating sequence but i can handle that...for the most part...maybe...
Friday, June 29, 2007
milestone's grill & bar
website: http://www.milestonesrestaurants.com
location: various locations, i visited the heartland location in mississauga (730 matheson boulevard, 905-507-4118)
restaurant type: nicer sit down restaurant and bar with mainly western food (a couple of non-western options are available as well)
price range: $12 - $50
dress code: casual to business casual, jeans and runners (not ripped or excessively dirty) are acceptable, working types wearing suits in for dinner are not unusual
ideal for: dates, small group on a night out, business meals
worth grins:
- good service
- nice atmosphere
- well presented food
- clientèle (mature, couples, career types)
worth shaking fists:
- slight wait for food
- moderate selection
- slightly pricey (for non-working individuals without an occasion)
my tastes:
i have been to various "milestone's" locations in the past but i am going to review the heartland location because i just went last night with two friends. "milestone's" is a nicer restaurant that i would not frequent on a regular basis purely for financial reasons. it is more a restaurant that i would consider if i was taking a girl out on a date or for dinner with a few friends. it has a very nice atmosphere with an older or more mature clientèle best described as "young career" or "stable adult."
the service at "milestone's" is fairly typical of a nicer sit-down restaurant. the servers all have matching outfits, impeccable manners, and the uncanny memory that manages to know which meal corresponds to which person without writing it down (in front of you at least). our server, andrew, was very polite and had a good knowledge of the menu options when asked for suggestions and descriptions of certain items. as expected, all of the drinks and entrees were brought to the table at the same time (drinks before meals of course) and at the appropriate temperatures.
the food is very nicely presented at "milestone's", with uniquely shaped plates and food laid out in a simple yet appealing manner. last night i ordered the "certified angus beef 8oz top sirloin" cooked to blue rare...and it was actually blue rare when it arrived. i was very impressed. the steak came warm on the outside, nicely grilled with crushed black peppers on top. when first cut into, the texture was very soft and the inside was a deep and dark red. the steak was grilled to a proper two or three millimetre depth leaving the inside blue rare with minimal juices (that may offend my dinner company). the accompanying portabello mushroom was soft and sizeable although a little dark, so it appeared to be strangely presented sitting directly on the plate half surrounded by darkish gravy (from the steak). my two sides, garlic mashed potatoes and vegetables were well done except the mashed potatoes were not as finely mashed as i prefer. on a side (and mildly amusing) note, denise (one of the girls at dinner) commented on my "polite eating" as opposed to her "shovelling" as she put it, but how does one shovel a properly grilled blue rare steak?
my "milestone's original bellini" came in an appealing yellowish-orange slush with a ring of deep pink along the edge of the martini glass and an amusing plastic camel (i have previously gotten a mermaid at a different location). the bellini was quite good, tasting sweet and not too strong of the various alcohols it consisted of. i opted away from the "ultiimate bellini", which is identical to mine except for the addition of a shot of malibu alcohol, simply because i was driving and prefer drinks that are overly strong with alcohol.
overall, my experience at "milestone's" heartland location was very nice. my dinner company seemed to enjoy their food as well during the course of our meal and conversation, which was aided by the decor and general atmosphere of the restaurant. i enjoyed myself enough to give a slightly larger tip to our courteous and helpful server at the end of the night.
location: various locations, i visited the heartland location in mississauga (730 matheson boulevard, 905-507-4118)
restaurant type: nicer sit down restaurant and bar with mainly western food (a couple of non-western options are available as well)
price range: $12 - $50
dress code: casual to business casual, jeans and runners (not ripped or excessively dirty) are acceptable, working types wearing suits in for dinner are not unusual
ideal for: dates, small group on a night out, business meals
worth grins:
- good service
- nice atmosphere
- well presented food
- clientèle (mature, couples, career types)
worth shaking fists:
- slight wait for food
- moderate selection
- slightly pricey (for non-working individuals without an occasion)
my tastes:
i have been to various "milestone's" locations in the past but i am going to review the heartland location because i just went last night with two friends. "milestone's" is a nicer restaurant that i would not frequent on a regular basis purely for financial reasons. it is more a restaurant that i would consider if i was taking a girl out on a date or for dinner with a few friends. it has a very nice atmosphere with an older or more mature clientèle best described as "young career" or "stable adult."
the service at "milestone's" is fairly typical of a nicer sit-down restaurant. the servers all have matching outfits, impeccable manners, and the uncanny memory that manages to know which meal corresponds to which person without writing it down (in front of you at least). our server, andrew, was very polite and had a good knowledge of the menu options when asked for suggestions and descriptions of certain items. as expected, all of the drinks and entrees were brought to the table at the same time (drinks before meals of course) and at the appropriate temperatures.
the food is very nicely presented at "milestone's", with uniquely shaped plates and food laid out in a simple yet appealing manner. last night i ordered the "certified angus beef 8oz top sirloin" cooked to blue rare...and it was actually blue rare when it arrived. i was very impressed. the steak came warm on the outside, nicely grilled with crushed black peppers on top. when first cut into, the texture was very soft and the inside was a deep and dark red. the steak was grilled to a proper two or three millimetre depth leaving the inside blue rare with minimal juices (that may offend my dinner company). the accompanying portabello mushroom was soft and sizeable although a little dark, so it appeared to be strangely presented sitting directly on the plate half surrounded by darkish gravy (from the steak). my two sides, garlic mashed potatoes and vegetables were well done except the mashed potatoes were not as finely mashed as i prefer. on a side (and mildly amusing) note, denise (one of the girls at dinner) commented on my "polite eating" as opposed to her "shovelling" as she put it, but how does one shovel a properly grilled blue rare steak?
my "milestone's original bellini" came in an appealing yellowish-orange slush with a ring of deep pink along the edge of the martini glass and an amusing plastic camel (i have previously gotten a mermaid at a different location). the bellini was quite good, tasting sweet and not too strong of the various alcohols it consisted of. i opted away from the "ultiimate bellini", which is identical to mine except for the addition of a shot of malibu alcohol, simply because i was driving and prefer drinks that are overly strong with alcohol.
overall, my experience at "milestone's" heartland location was very nice. my dinner company seemed to enjoy their food as well during the course of our meal and conversation, which was aided by the decor and general atmosphere of the restaurant. i enjoyed myself enough to give a slightly larger tip to our courteous and helpful server at the end of the night.
fortune stone restaurant
location: plaza on the north-west corner of warden ave and steeles ave (exact address to be added after the next time i go...which should be soon)
restaurant type: hong kong style diner (chinese food with western influences)
price range: $5 - $15
dress code: very casual, jeans and runners are the norm
ideal for: quick and simple meals, small casual groups
worth grins:
- good portions
- affordable
- clean venue
worth shaking fists:
- limited seating
- significant jump in price for baked entrees (~$2 more)
- plaza is busy closer to the t&t grocery store
my tastes:
let me just say that i had to post my first review of this restaurant. this is one of my (and my family's) preferred restaurants...to the point where i can go with my friends and expect my parents to show up separately. my family goes on a somewhat regular basis to the point that the owner and waitresses recognize us and know generally what we are going to order. "fortune stone" is definitely a restaurant i would not hesitate to visit or recommend to a friend.
upon walking up to and entering the restaurant, my first impression was "this place is tiny...getting a table is going to be horrible." but to my surprise it was not too bad, most times i have gone there is either no line up or only a short five to ten minute wait (except when i went with large groups). despite the short waits, the restaurant is definitely small having only ten to twelve tables (ranging from two to six seats per). the nice part about the size is that the place is that it is cozy and clean. my parents especially like the cleaniness of "fortune stone"...
sitting down at a table and going through the menu is something of the past for me but on the odd occasion when i feel like trying something new i have found the menu to be straight forward and fairly standard; appetizers, small snacks, main courses (with rice, noodles, baked entrees, and skillet listed separately), and drinks. i have always found the food to be what i expected with no disappoints so far. most meals come with a soup (either cream or borsh) and drink (add seventy-five cents for cold drinks), come in good sized portions suitable for the average guy or girl, and taste the way you would expect it to.
definitely a restaurant worth visiting the next time you do not feel like cooking or if you just want to go for an affordable but good simple meal. my personal recommendations include the "creamed corn grouper on rice" (not baked) and the "black pepper chicken steak with spaghetti," both accompanied by a cold lemon tea...
JT
restaurant type: hong kong style diner (chinese food with western influences)
price range: $5 - $15
dress code: very casual, jeans and runners are the norm
ideal for: quick and simple meals, small casual groups
worth grins:
- good portions
- affordable
- clean venue
worth shaking fists:
- limited seating
- significant jump in price for baked entrees (~$2 more)
- plaza is busy closer to the t&t grocery store
my tastes:
let me just say that i had to post my first review of this restaurant. this is one of my (and my family's) preferred restaurants...to the point where i can go with my friends and expect my parents to show up separately. my family goes on a somewhat regular basis to the point that the owner and waitresses recognize us and know generally what we are going to order. "fortune stone" is definitely a restaurant i would not hesitate to visit or recommend to a friend.
upon walking up to and entering the restaurant, my first impression was "this place is tiny...getting a table is going to be horrible." but to my surprise it was not too bad, most times i have gone there is either no line up or only a short five to ten minute wait (except when i went with large groups). despite the short waits, the restaurant is definitely small having only ten to twelve tables (ranging from two to six seats per). the nice part about the size is that the place is that it is cozy and clean. my parents especially like the cleaniness of "fortune stone"...
sitting down at a table and going through the menu is something of the past for me but on the odd occasion when i feel like trying something new i have found the menu to be straight forward and fairly standard; appetizers, small snacks, main courses (with rice, noodles, baked entrees, and skillet listed separately), and drinks. i have always found the food to be what i expected with no disappoints so far. most meals come with a soup (either cream or borsh) and drink (add seventy-five cents for cold drinks), come in good sized portions suitable for the average guy or girl, and taste the way you would expect it to.
definitely a restaurant worth visiting the next time you do not feel like cooking or if you just want to go for an affordable but good simple meal. my personal recommendations include the "creamed corn grouper on rice" (not baked) and the "black pepper chicken steak with spaghetti," both accompanied by a cold lemon tea...
JT
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