Reviewing Whatever

Grand Lux Café
630 Old Country Road
Garden City, NY 11530

You should know
Chris’s parents recommended this new restaurant to us when I was visiting. Chris and I are big fans of The Cheesecake Factory, though we didn’t know this chain was owned by the same people.

We’re also sitting ducks when it comes to a really good plate of nachos. Yum!

So?
Our biggest mistake was splitting the Asian Nachos and thinking we still had room for entrees. The nachos were amazing: “Crispy Fried Wontons Covered with chicken in a Sweet-Hot Peanut Sauce. Topped with Wasabi Cream and Melted Cheese,” according to the menu. Not for the person with a peanut allergy, of course.

But we went and got entrees, and brought home more than enough for two lunches. I chose the Madeira Chicken (“Sauteed Chicken Breast Topped with Asparagus, Mozzarella and Our Fresh Mushroom-Madeira Sauce. Served with Mashed Potatoes”), while Chris got the Chicken Venetian (“Chicken Breast sautéed with Assorted Fresh Mushrooms, Shallots, Herbs, White Wine and a Touch of Cream. Served with Parmesan Potato Cakes”). Both were excellent, though each of us ended up liking the other’s meal more. We split both.

Food cost slightly more than it would have at The Cheesecake Factory, but it was still pretty reasonable. And the bathrooms were gorgeous. Actually, the décor was lovely overall.

Rating
Go if it’s handy
The restaurant isn’t as ubiquitous as The Cheesecake Factory, and I wouldn’t go out of my way to find one when its sister restaurant is so nearby. But when I’m in the neighborhood, I definitely plan to return.

The rest of the Internet
MSN Money comments on CAKE stock.
The history of The Cheesecake Factory.
A Wikipedia entry on both restaurants.