Anjou , 44 Campton Place

"I think Anjou might be an acquired taste, and highly recommend it only to the diehard Françophile." Stu Smith

Brasserie Savoy, 580 Geary

The Gallic destination at Union Square. And a good one at that, too.

Christophe, 405 Mason Street

"Sitting above the theatre and prime commercial streets adjacent to Union Square sits this soothing pastel gallic gastronomic 'galaxy' that offers some of the most inspired infusion food I've had in the City." Stu Smith

Citizen Cupcake , Virgin Megastore, 3rd floor

"Sitting above the theatre and prime

Daily Grill

Hearty fare.

Farallon , 450 Post Street

Worth checking out if you've never been and want to step back into the 90's. Shame there isn't more of an opportunity to eat at the bar.

Foley's Inn , 245 O'Farrell Street

"Foley's Inn is one of the few I deem a worthy respite from the onslaught of tourism." Nate Paul

Hana Zen, O'Farrell/Cyril Magnin

"With a little imagination, one could easily imagine being in downtown Osaka or Tokyo when dining in the ultra-modern Hana Zen."

Le Colonial

Oodles , Bush/Taylor

"Inside the atmosphere is pleasantly refined yet unpretentious. It's subtle."

Postrio , 545 Post

"Postrio is ambitious and consistently earns each of the stars it has been granted by critics everywhere and more importantly a devoted public." Stu Smith

The White Horse, 635 Sutter Street

"It’s so authentic that it almost doesn’t feel like it belongs here, and its small and loyal clientele supports it through thick and thin while the rest of the urban landscape passes without noticing this little gem." Stu Smith

The Cheesecake Factory

Once inside the foyer, or perhaps holding pen is a more apt description, one is jammed into a space way too small for the overwhelming number of people who want to eat here, and it becomes a real problem because it's almost impossible to beat a hasty retreat without banging into the ongoing stream of new arrivals. It is illegally overcrowded and will probably face legal action by the time the review is posted. I had to flee my first two attempts to eat here, but I've found that mid week around 3:30 in the afternoon it is possible to sit at the bar and eat choosing from the full menu, and a full menu it truly is. A glossy laminated full color book consisting of 18 pages and including advertising is what one makes choices from, and it's a daunting task, because it's well presented, and attractively described, and reasonably priced.

It's a large rectangular space done in washed creamy golden walls with a childish stenciling in burgundy, mauve and gold, accented by hundreds of glass reproduction lighting fixtures in sconces, chandeliers, torches, and table type lamps in deep crimson and copper. The handsome bar sits almost squarely in the center of the space, and is canopied with billowing gold and copper leaf over a black marble top and sturdy faux rattan stools. Mosaic cone type protrusions abound and are covered with a cheap looking pattern of the small tiles, again in almost pediatric patterns reminiscent of a pre-school room. Each visit has produced a minimum 45 minute wait except at the bar, and there's really no where to wait, so they ask you to walk around with a Lucite 'oar' to return with when your name is called. Once past all the hurdles one must go through to give them your money, it becomes comfortable and fun. The servers are not fully trained, but it's forgivable because they're good natured and trying hard to make your visit a good one.

My first two visits were spent at the bar grazing and trying a variety of things and attempting to save room to savor their infamous cheesecakes. I was unsuccessful both times, but did bring a slice home each time in a well-constructed package that travels well and preserves the slice perfectly. Since those awkward early visits, I've sat in various parts of the dining room and even the fantastic outdoor patio overlooking Union Square, which is the greatest outdoor dining and drinking site in the City. I've tried the 'factory burger' at 7.95 and can state without reservation that it is one of the best I've had anywhere. The large, hand formed patty of angus beef was cooked exactly as I ordered with grilled onions underneath the seared grilled beef, a thick slice of good cheddar cheese melted atop two slices of good tomato, and this is all nestled on a toasted and buttered house made sesame seed bun that is the best I've had. Complementing the near perfect burger were some excellent thin cut french fries lightly topped with sea salt. I asked for mayo and was brought a silver gravy boat with superior mayo and was really gratified by the true attention to detail with one of the most difficult and comprehensive items a kitchen is called upon to execute. I've since tried and enjoyed shepherd's pie, meatloaf, chicken and biscuits, several terrific pastas and several specials, all at 12.95. I've been impressed with both their crabcakes at 17.95 and scampi at 16.95. They do a commendable job with steaks and chops in prices ranging from 14.95 to 21.95 and offer salads in appetizer and entrée sizes from 5.50 to 12.95. Their Cobb salad is a still life masterpiece at 10.95, one of the best I've had anywhere. Pizzas are available as shared appetizers or entrees and average 8.95. Appetizers have been consistently good, and cover an enormous culinary range including potstickers, nachos, wraps, rolls, in the 4.95 to 8.95 range and some very good side dishes are also on the menu from 2.50 to 4.50 and include those seductive french fries and a good assortment of vegetables. I really haven't had anything here that I would call inferior, and that is diametrically opposed to what I expected when I first entered this booming, teeming food factory that really is excellent quality and quantity for the prices, and offers a huge selection of superb cheesecakes and other delectable desserts in addition to all this great food. I heartily recommend The Cheesecake Factory.

by Stu Smith

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