Last Saturday, we had lunch at The Cheesecake Factory. A few days prior, I was joking around with Niko that if they didn’t have dessert, I was going to make a big scene and throw food at our waiter! Luckily, that didn’t happen as they have like 100 different types of cheesecake and Niko ordered a plain piece, not one smothered in Oreos or something else fun. Don’t worry, we all shared it.
From my previous dining experiences at The Cheesecake Factory, I am well aware that they have a Texas sized menu. I am a studier of menus and look online beforehand so I can become familiar with everything they have to offer. The good thing is, I knew I didn’t want a cheeseburger or pizza from The Cheesecake Factory, so that left seafood, pasta, steak, and chicken. I was considering a combination dish of steak and seafood, but then saw they had chicken tenders, and I was craving them for a few weeks. Even though I decided a few days before, I still looked at the menu on the day of to see if anything else sounded good.
I ended up ordering the chicken tenders and fried dumplings, Niko had pancakes and bacon for lunch along with a huge strawberry smoothie (both were actually really good), and Nina had a club sandwich. Next time, I want to get a pasta or a steak dish.
Before we went on our cruise last month, I studied menus for places to eat in Galveston, and also the cruise dining room. I was planning my meals days in advance, and it was fun. Ok, I want three shrimp cocktails and scallops as the appetizer, the lamb shank and fish for the main course, and the creme brulee with a scoop of chocolate ice cream for dessert – that was what I ordered one night in the dining room. I didn’t get to enjoy the fresh hot lamb shank because I had to take Niko back to the room as he didn’t feel good that evening. Yes, I made the right decision to care of Niko and leave lamb on the table – sorry Mary!
Just yesterday, I pulled up the menus for a few local restaurants because I wanted beef fajita tacos, and I just wanted to see what else they had – even though I already knew. I did get Niko something from there and lady of the house didn’t want anything. You know something, I do like the fact that I am an almost mature adult who can go out in the world and do something, and I don’t need permission from anybody. I just have to make sure Nina and Niko are OK before I leave.
I am glad that most places now and thanks to Covid-19, you can order online and be lazy like me and pick it up at the restaurant. To be honest, I only do that for a local Chinese restaurant. On the Friday before we left for the cruise, I was in the area of that Chinese restaurant dropping Riley cat off to be boarded for a week, and I wanted food. But not a lot of choices for me; noodles or chicken tenders! So, I chose noodles and ordered online. Easy and the food was actually OK.
I have the Freddy’s app for burgers and shakes, but they don’t make it until you arrive, and it usually takes a few minutes. Nina has the Starbucks app, and if I am out in the world and near one, I tell her and a minute later, she is like order has been placed. I am always happy to get Starbucks for her and am relieved that I don’t have to tell them what she wants because it’s very intimidating to me. The Apple store is also very intimidating to me, but that I can save for another day.
Nina will always make fun of me that I look at menus beforehand, but I call it preparation!