The Cheesecake Factory in Beijing is one of the few remaining American franchise brands that retains almost 100 percent of its international authenticity. Located in WF Central Mall in Dongcheng District, the restaurant’s warm and homey decor completely resembles any other Cheesecake Factory in the world.
Business is already bustling at 5pm on a Friday night, and for good reason. There’s a nice mix of international and local patrons at the restaurant enjoying themselves – the bar is especially hopping with action, so I’m guessing the drinks are good. But I’m gunning for the food that night, having fasted since breakfast that morning in anticipation of this meal; I’m hoping the portion sizes are just as I remember them back in the States and Middle East. I am not disappointed. The entrees are large enough to share and still have leftovers for the next day!
The menu at the Cheesecake Factory is extensive, with well over 30 different mains from pasta to chicken to steak to gumbo. We had some of our favorites that night – Crab Rangoon (RMB 88), pork belly sliders (RMB 118), chicken and biscuits (RMB 158) – and all the dishes tasted exactly as I remember: rich with flavor, crispy where they should be, and comforting. It’s just what the doctor ordered on a cold wintry night.
But no matter how tasty the food is, the restaurant is called the Cheesecake Factory, after all. And you cannot leave without trying at least one of their rich cheesecakes. The currently in-season pumpkin cheesecake (RMB 75) is such a crowd-pleaser that both my husband and my son (who never eats any pumpkin) inhaled it before I could even get a photograph. Classics like the strawberry cheesecake (RMB 77), Hershey’s chocolate bar cheesecake (RMB 77), and the caramel pecan turtle cheesecake (RMB 77) are always available to give you that oh-so-satisfying sweet ending to your meal. Oh, and the massive hot fudge sundae (RMB 108) is a fantastic dessert for sharing.
The Cheesecake Factory isn’t your everyday dinner place, considering its price tag and location, but that’s one of the reasons why making the trip to the restaurant here in Beijing is a little treat that the whole family can enjoy. The service staff there is great with kids and families, and the quality of the food and drink is as well-established as the brand itself.
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Images: Vivienne Tseng-Rush
