The Cheesecake Factory

Yesterday I went to visit a friend in Long Island, and we went for a late lunch at the Cheesecake Factory.  The food was pretty good, but the portions were way too big!  I couldn't finish my Caesar's Salad, even though My intention was to eat not too heavy so I could try the desserts.  I tried their "special", which was 2 red velvet layers, 2 layers of their classical cheesecake with creme cheese icing and white chocolate shavings, served with a very good whipped creme.  I regret not taking my camera with me, so I could show you, but in any case, you can check it out at their website.
That was pretty good...  but I have to admit, last week I had an incredibly good cheesecake at a local diner, and honestly I have to become friends with the manager to find out where do they make it.  If it is not made "in house" then I have to find out who makes it and bring it to Richmond to our place!  It is really really good!
And continuing with the lease of the place, we are getting a pretty good deal, but before we sign anything, we are bringing the Health Inspector to check out the place and tell us in what condition it is to run it as we want.  We think that everything needs a very deep great cleaning, but of course we are not experts on all the necessary details  to bring it up to "code".   Everyday I see so many things to do!!!  But we are very optimistic, I'm sure we'll do a good thing.
Update on the coffee: Since I work at home, I can't really go out while I'm on my shift, so, no coffee today.  And 2 of my visitors told me that Starbucks is not all what people say...  I'll keep you informed.

Friends and pizza night

Went out with the idea of trying a "ladies night" at Z One, but we ended up staying at home, ordering pizza and watching The Real Housewives of New York...  I guess it would've been more interesting to see other places and get ideas for our café, but we were all a bit tired, and the kids were home.  I gotta admit, the choice of TV show to watch was very much criticized by the men that were there, but it is like watching an accident: you know it is an awful thing, but you can't stop looking at it.  I'm wondering if it is possible to get some sort of "cultural activity" at the cafe, like watching some decadent show and just have fun! I remember many years ago at "Meow Mix" in New York City, they had Sunday afternoons with Xena the Warrior Princess.  The place was packed with people that were huge fans of the show, basically lesbians, and even some with experience in Xena Conventions (the kind of Star Trek fame).
Anyway, that is one of the ideas for our place.
Still reading the Richmond blogs... there are so many different things to read about! I am certainly looking forward to get there soon.
On the business front, first call of negotiating the lease was not a negative answer, which gave me hope because I see that we can get a better deal and save some money on the deal.
Last night with my lawyer friend was a very good experience.  She asked me so many questions that made me see things under another perspective.  Best of all, I felt secure, I knew all the answers and I could explain the plan in detail.  Saturday will be an encounter with the parents of another friend who have great experience on another topic that feels a little squeamish, but it is a hard reality in the restaurant business:  they service restaurants on their extermination needs, and their business is really good!  My only objection, I don't want to hear about the places they serve and deemed as the worst, just in case it happens to be one of my favorite places.  In New York City, it is almost impossible not to think of some sort of weird stories related with extermination.  Late night, it is time to go to bed.