On a Diet? Head to the Cheesecake Factory!

Yes, it's true-you can now actually socialize and not worry about blowing a day's food intake at one of the more fun and decadent chain restaurants.

My husband and I decided to go on a recent date night to our closest venue from this restaurant-Mission Viejo, California. While my beloved can eat anything and everything without nary a problem, I have always had food allergies and am an avid watcher of my um, well, my "pant-size". So when we go to The Cheesecake Factory I usually re-arrange the Asparagus, Portabello and Artichoke omelet to fit my needs. I have them use egg whites, ditch the cheese, use a dry pan, serve tomatoes on the side. In general, I drive the waitress and the chef a little crazy.

This trip I was trying to come up with something a might different, when low and behold! They now have a section called "weight management". Okay, personally, I was more than a little put off by the name and the fact that there were only 5 salads and that's it, but on the other hand....
All five salads were under 590 calories! All sounded delicious and when I received my first try-a grilled chicken salad with goat cheese, beets, romaine, a host of other veggies and a very nice low-fat vinaigrette dressing I was thrilled. First, I took home half of it and used it for my brown bag lunch at work the next day. Too much to eat, truly! It was fresh, different and very tasty. I did have a slice of their wonderful squaw bread which is luscious without a drop of butter or jam. Perfect meal.

We went back a week later, this time I tried the healthy version of the Asian chicken salad. Again I took half home. Believe me if it hadn't said weight management on the top of the section-there was no way to tell. Lots of moist grilled chicken breast, green onion, sprouts and baked (not fried) noodles and dressed with a tangy low-fat citrus dressing.

Both dressings are also for sale! Easy to re-create both of these main dishes in your very own kitchen. There is also a harvest chicken salad which includes some green apple and blue cheese, spicy chicken salad and a seafood salad-your choice of salmon or ahi tuna.

My hope is that they expand this menu and possibly re-name it to maybe "healthy choices" or some variance to make it sound a little less condescending to those of us who wish to eat less fat and calories when we dine out. Maybe add a couple of sandwiches? Perhaps a hot meal or two? But it's a wonderful beginning. The other good thing-they have re-instated the low-carb cheesecake to the dessert menu! Okay, I don't eat a stitch of anything coming from a cow, but there are many who loved the idea of having dessert without feeling as if they've blown "it" big time for the whole week by indulging this once.

Now, maybe they could come up with a beautiful way of serving some exotic sorbet? A berry medley with maybe a little balsamic reduction sauce ?

Even if they don't, I'm very appreciative that The Cheesecake Factory has taken the idea of serving up a few items that anyone can feel virtuous and not a bit guilty about eating.

Only one question? Why didn't they do this years ago?