Cheesecake Factory-East Cost

CheeseCake Factory-Fair Oaks Mall, VA
11778 Fair Oaks Mall  Fairfax, VA 22033
(703) 273-6600

Price-$$

I normally do not like to post a chain but there are some chain restaurants

are worth mentioning.  For instance, the Cheesecake Factory.  My recent

experience at the cheesecake Factory was pleasant. One, you will never

have bad service.  Two, the food is a little hit and miss but be specific

with the waiter.  This visit I was craving their

Tex-Mex Eggrolls (TO DIE FOR!!!!). 

You get about 7-9 pieces of egg rolls, nice and crispy (because the

filo (sp?) dough is fried) and the filling is chicken, corn, cilantro,

black beans and some pico de galo.  The eggrolls come with side of

pico de galo and a guacamole dip.  Your first bite has a little crunch

from the eggroll being fried, and the you get all that delish filling

with the right amount of kick.  It is not spicy so don't get nervous! 

The guacamole dip is delish as well.

We also ordered Shrimp Creole which comes with linguine.  Shrimp were cooked to perfection and
the linguine was just right.  The dish had just the right amount of Creole seasoning.

Casey's Cupcakes- Riverside, CA

Casey's Cupcakes-Riverside CA
3649 Mission Inn Ave  Riverside, CA 92501
(951) 328-6908

Price: $

A must try if you are in the Riverside CA area.  The cupcakes are moist,

soft, delish and not overly sweet (at least the ones I tried..

German Chocolate & Red Velvet).  There are tons of different kinds there to

choose from.  Once you pick the one you want, the ladies in their pink

apron will place the cupcake in a unique little pink box (which is soo cute).

Most of the cupcakes come with Casey's signature chocolate disk looking

display on the top middle of the cupcake. 

I absolutely LOVED and defiantly recommend their German Chocolate cupcake.

They have this special where you can buy 6 cupcakes for $18. 

I actually brought it back home to VA with me.  They packaging is very

travel friendly.  Don't be shocked when folks stop you and ask you for

one :-) 

German Chocolate Cupcake

                                                          Red Velvet Cupcakes

 Different flavors: Coconut, expressor, double chocolate, lemon, yellow, reeses cup & more

Duane's Prime Steak & Seafood-Riverside, CA

Duane's Prime Steak & Seafood-Riverside, CA

3649 Mission Inn Ave
Riverside, CA 92501

(951) 341-6767

 

Price: $$$

FYI: This is not a place to go with casual clothes and defiantly NO JEANS!!!!!  When you arrive, you will be greeted warmly and will be shown to your sitting area.  The ambiance of this place is romantic, sophisticated and quiet.  Don't come here if you are in a rush. This restaurant is just one of the places with in the Mission Inn Hotel & Spa in Riverside, CA.  When here, you have to try their steak!  There steaks are exceptionally delicious and tender (melt in your mouth).  If you can't decide on what type of  steak you want, go for the trio (see below).  The French onion soup and the Lobster Bisque was not all that spectacular.  But the steaks are defiantly a must try.

Trio of Tenderloins - Filet Oscar (4 oz) Steak Diane (4 oz) Black Pepper Crusted, Bordelaise (4 oz) This as you can see comes with mashed potatoes and grilled asparagus.

 

 Served with Chantilly Tarragon and Brandied Mushrooms (very creamy)

 Caramelized Onions in a Light Vegetable and Beef Consommé, Gruyère Cheese Crouton

                                           
Grilled Pacific Salmon, Citrus Butter Sauce



French Onion Soup -
Lobster Bisque Soup
                                                     
"Classic" Steak Diane- Filet Mignon, Grilled Asparagus, Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Pesto Oil

Los Toltecos (Mexian)--Lunch/Dinner

Place: Los Toltecos (mexian)
Address: 5614 Ox Road, Fairfax, VA 22039
Price: $$

This is one of my favvvvvvvvvvorite places to eat when I'm craving Mexican food.  Let me just tell you it's sooooo worth coming here.  Great price, good portions, and great service.  Now, I've been to the Fairfax, VA & Alexandria, VA locations, but they have several other in VA.  I have gone there for lunch and dinner.  Their lunch menu is at average $7 and dinner at about $11-15. 

As soon as you walk in, you are greeted by the person in the front and they will seat you unless you want to sit at the bar.  They will have you look over at the menu (which is a couple of pages) while they get your drinks.  In the mean time they will provide you with complimentary chips and salsa (totally delish).  Their chips are always warm and the salsa actually has taste, not spicy but has a little kick to it.  I recommend their Queso dip too and that is out of this world!!!!! it's a mixture of several cheeses. 

Their menu has a great variety of things to choose from, anywhere from tacos, to fish, enchiladas & burritos, chimichangas, flautas, and quesadillas.  They also have a kids menu.     I've tried numerous items on the menu but I absolutely love their Enchiladas Poblanoes.  You get two chicken enchiladas which is topped with their poblanoes sauce (not spicy, kind of sweet) and it's paired with rice.  I absolutely LOVVEEE it! They give you huge portions. The atmosphere is lively, nice music playing and everyone in the restaurant seems to be enjoying themselves. 

When in VA...eat breakfast like the Virginians

Place: Barnside Diner


Where: 6306 Little River Turnpike  Alexandria, VA 22312-1601
             (703) 256-3318


Price: $
---

When it comes to breakfast, Barnside Diner has one of the best breakfast in town.  The service is great and the food is even better.  Just to warn you though, it can get really crowded and backed up during the weekends.   If you are a coffee lover (which I am) then you will LOVE their coffee...coffee is never burnt and always fresh.  Their orange juice is incredible..tasts like freshly squeezed orange juice (no joke).  Their portions are huge as well.  Waffles & French Toast are really good. 

For the healthy meat eaters: they have turkey sausage!!!!!! Not over cooked and taste great.  

This place has been a hiden gem of Northern VA for decades.  It's been here forever!!and the locals love it.

George's Steak-N-Things--Lunch/dinner

Place: George's Steak-N-Things
Address: 8908 Village Shops Drive, Fairfax Station, VA 22039
Price: $-------

When it comes to food, I am all over it.  Anyone that knows me will tell you, how excited I get over great tasting food.  I will travel great distant to try something I've seen on TV or a place I heard about--no joke!

When in Virginia, especially Northern VA, and you have craving for cheese steak..Yes I said cheese steak.  OMG you have to go to "George's Stake-N-Thing."  It is located off of Rt. 123 and close to George Mason University, Fairfax Campus.  It's a little place stuck in a small plaza next to Pizza Hut and some spa (which by the way don't waste your time or money there).  George the owner, is such a sweet and welcoming man.  He always has these two specials: Cajun chicken cheese steak with fries and regular cheese steak with fries for under $7.00.  I have to tell you, George's Cajun Chicken Cheese Steak is finger licking good!!!!!!!  There are number of toppings to add if you like, such as grilled onions, peppers, olives, lettuce, tomatoes, and much more.  When I tell you it comes out smoking HOT!!! believe me and be careful not to burn the roof of your mouth (speaking from experience).  When it comes out the sub roll is nicely toasted, the cheese is melted and once you take that first bite YOU will be HOOKED!

I have taken my family, friends, and co-workers.  Anytime I get a chance to head down towards the Woodbridge/Fairfax area, I always make sure I stop by there.

George's Steak-N-Things is a must try! :-)   Try it..you can splurge a little.