Usually when I think of the Cheesecake Factory, I day dream about calorie laden appetizers like fried macaroni and cheese bites, creative burgers that equal a day’s worth of calories, humongous pasta portions, mountains of salad, and cheesy pizzas, followed by what else? Cheesecake, available in every flavor imaginable. But when I went last night I was in for a real surprise! Apparently in 2011 they rolled out a new Skinnylicious menu?
I guess I haven’t been there in a LONG time because they have offered it since August 2011. I was so excited that the menu is so long. There are around 50 items to choose from, from cocktails, to salads, appetizers, to lightened up burgers and flatbreads. The drinks are said to be 150 calories or less; the small plates, apps, and flatbreads are under 490 calories; and the main dishes and salads are under 590 calories.
On my visit, it was about 9 pm and we had just finished shopping at Macy’s home store. I already made use of the gift card I told you about from Admin Day and I got a new comforter and throw pillows! Yay! I just adore the colors and paisley pattern along with each and every pillow, which all add so much to it. You like?
The boyfriend ordered a gin martini on the rocks with olives (bold move) and I of course started off with a wine spritzer. We had seats at the bar and I actually watched the bartender pour it and unlike any other bar, she did the soda water and ice first, followed by a SPLASH of wine. Um, can I have more wine please? It was the first time I EVER have complained about a wine sprtizer, lol. The bf was not thrilled that I am high maintenance and said something, but hey! They jack up the prices on beverages at this place, so if I want a drink on a Friday night, that is wine with a splash of soda water instead of vice versa, darn it, I deserve it! Anyways the manager actually came by to apologize and they ended up offering me a not so healthy alternative. The white wine sangria! I gladly accepted it and sucked down. Oh well, I didn’t want to be that much of a pain and sangria did sound yummy!
We ordered an appetizer off the Skinnylicious menu, the Crispy Crab Bites for $6.95 and a few other things off the regular menu.
I had to get them after drooling over the recipe for crab cakes I posted on yesterdays Worthwhile reads from the web this week. They were bite-sized crab cakes served with mustard sauce that you could just dip and pop in your mouth. I thought it was a very tasty, flavorful, and well presented dish. I did not sample any of the other items but I definitely want to. Check out a few the highlights I chose from their menu to try next time I make a trip over there:
Small plates/apps:
BEETS WITH GOAT CHEESE Fresh Beets, Apples, Baby Arugula, Pecans and Vinaigrette
AHI CARPACCIO Thin Slices of Raw Ahi Tuna, Wasabi Pesto, Creamy Avocado and Togarashi Aioli
ASIAN CHICKEN LETTUCE WRAP TACOS Butter Lettuce Leaves Filled with Grilled Chicken, Carrots, Bean Sprouts Cucumber, Cilantro and Marinated Rice Noodles with Spicy Peanut Sauce
SKINNYLICIOUS™ GRILLED ARTICHOKE Served with Lemon-Garlic Aioli
Salads:
ROASTED PEAR AND BLUE CHEESE Pecans, Arugula and Caramelized Onion
SKINNYLICIOUS™ FACTORY CHOPPED SALAD A Delicious Blend of Chopped Romaine, Grilled Chicken, Tomato, Avocado, Corn, Bacon, Blue Cheese and Apple with Our SkinnyLicious™ Vinaigrette
MEXICAN TORTILLA SALAD Crispy Corn Tortilla Topped with Grilled Chicken Breast and Black Beans with Mixed Greens, Fresh Corn, Green Onion and Cilantro. All Tossed in Our SkinnyLicious™ Vinaigrette and Garnished with a little Avocado Cream Sauce, Salsa and Sour Cream
SKINNYLICIOUS™ HERB CRUSTED SALMON SALAD* Our Wonderful Fresh Herb Crusted Salmon Served Chilled on Top of Baby Lettuces, Tomato and Vegetables. Tossed in Our SkinnyLicious™ Vinaigrette
Flatbreads:
MARGHERITA Fresh Tomato, Basil and Mozzarella
WILD MUSHROOM Garlic, Shallots and Fresh Herbs
Sandwiches/Burgers:
SKINNYLICIOUS™ HAMBURGER Our Hamburger on a Toasted Bun with Lettuce, Tomato, Onion, Pickles and Mayonnaise. Served with a Green Salad
SKINNYLICIOUS™ CHICKEN SALAD SANDWICH Housemade with Roasted Almonds, Lettuce, Tomato and Mayonnaise. Served on Toasted Brioche Bread with a Green Salad
SKINNYLICIOUS™ TURKEY & AVOCADO SANDWICH Freshly Roasted Turkey Breast, Smoked Bacon, Avocado, Tomato and Mayonnaise on a Toasted Bun. Served with a Green Salad
Entrees:
SKINNYLICIOUS™ SOFT TACOS Three Soft Corn Tortillas Filled with Spicy Chicken or Shrimp, Avocado, Tomato, Onions, Cilantro and Crema. Served with Spanish Rice
SKINNYLICIOUS™ PASTA Gemelli Pasta with Sauteed Chicken, Fresh Tomato, Marinara Sauce and Fresh Basil
TUSCAN CHICKEN Grilled Chicken Breast with Tomatoes, Artichokes, Capers, Fresh Basil and Balsamic Vinaigrette. Served over Fresh Vegetables and Farro
ISLAND GRILLED CHICKEN Grilled Soy Glazed Chicken Breasts Topped with Macadamia Nuts. Served with Fresh Vegetables and a little White Rice
SKINNYLICIOUS™ HERB CRUSTED SALMON Served with Lemon Sauce and Assorted Fresh Vegetables
PETITE GRILLED TENDERLOIN OF BEEF Our Petite Filet Mignon Served with Fresh Vegetables
Check out the menu at:
https://www.thecheesecakefactory.com/menu/skinnylicious
