What could be better than the Cheesecake Factory?...

THE GRAND LUX CAFE--owned by the Cheesecake Factory, Duh! There just so happens to be one of these beauties a couple of miles from our apartment. There are only 9 in the whole country so I feel very fortunate to be able to enjoy this delicious food to my hearts content. Last weekend we were driving around trying to decide where to eat...I don't know why we don't decide before we start driving but I guess that's not the way we roll...so we come upon this "cheesecake look alike" and the word "cafe" threw me off--I was worried it was a glorified buffet and any one who knows me knows I don't do buffets--not even the creatively colorful ones on cruises. But I decided to conquer my fear and not be the party pooper and it just so happened that this place was a gem! As we walked in the door Austin blurted out, very loudly, "this looks like cheesecake factory, it's a wannabe" or something to that extent and the hostess said "actually it's owned by Cheesecake Factory we just have a different menu. But we're still known for our desserts." I was immediately sold. And you know what? As impossible as it may seem it ended up being better than the cheesecake factory (some of the entrees anyway). They had a larger pasta selection and the the pasta entrees we tried were to die for and Austin liked his fish dish (he he he) just as much as the one he usually gets at Cheesecake. Unfortunately the service was horrible but we were too happy enjoying our food to care. The moral of the story? Try new restaurants even if their name does sound like some casino in Las Vegas and last but not least-if you happen to be living in a city with a Grand Lux Cafe, you must go! Go now...stop reading...go!

P.S. I just went to their website and this is what I read: "The idea for Grand Lux Cafe came to life when The Venetian Resort, Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas asked David Overton, Founder of The Cheesecake Factory Restaurants, to create an upscale casual restaurant concept for their property.

Excited by the proposal and the opulent "Venetian" theme, Mr. Overton traveled to Europe to study Italian trattorias, French bistros, and the grand cafes and pastry shops of Vienna. This culinary tour through Europe, focused on food, architecture, décor and design, provided the inspiration for what the restaurant was destined to become."

I was so right about the "Las Vegas name"!

Can you tell which feet are mine? (this should be easy!)


Don't ask why or how but he's playing tennis in the trunk.

Best part of this picture? He put the tennis ball in his mouth and bound his hands all by himself. I went over to take a peek and I ended up looking like the culprit--I guess it was a case of "the wrong place at the wrong time" lol.









It doesn't take much to put a big grin on this guys face.



The End. XOXO to all!