Cheesecake Factory - Westroads

StreetsOfOmaha · Post by **StreetsOfOmaha** » Sat Sep 10, 2005 1:45 pm

That's hilarious, Bob!

OmahaChef · Post by **OmahaChef** » Sat Sep 10, 2005 10:03 pm

I've been to "The Plaza" a number of times since I moved here, and every time it was 1 1/2 hour waits for a spot in the Cheesecake Factory for a slice of cheesecake. Luckily I found Lydia's in the Union Station area, built in a restored railroad warehouse building, with lighting designed by an apprentence of Chilhula (he did the amazing piece in the new entrance of the Joslyn), and the incredible Italian cooking of Lydia Bastianovich (sp?), of PBS cooking show fame. The prix fixe menu is the best, Casear's salad, three pastas of the day, made fresh and all you can eat, delivered by servers touring the room with piping hot plates, and dessert. Beats a slice of cheesecake any day of the week. And the decor, with the brick walls, treated beams, large jars of preserved olives, wines on the wall, highlighted by backlights, beats a strawberry coated slice of cheesecake any day. Pittsburgh has a Lydia's....when Omaha gets one, I'll get excited. And yes, I did contemplate heavily accepting an apprenticeship there, and moving to KC. Sometimes I wonder how different my culinary career might be today if I had done it.

MrTwister · Post by **MrTwister** » Sun Sep 11, 2005 9:16 am

OmahaChef,

The Lidia's in KC has very little to do with Lidia Bastianich, other than it is her name and her son is running it. Lidia owns and operates several restuarants in the NY area with her flagship Felidia, Becco, and Frico.

I worked with Lidia and shot a food story at her restuarant in NY. She is truly a first class lady and a very good cook. Her restuarant is a bit on the pricey side for dinner ($75 a person with wine) but the lunch menu is reasonable. And she has a selection of wine to die for.

eomaha · Post by **eomaha** » Sun Sep 11, 2005 9:59 am

Her website certainly includes the KC (and Pittsburgh) restaurant as a location. It's probably hard to be everywhere at once though.

http://www.lidiasitaly.com

MrTwister · Post by **MrTwister** » Mon Sep 12, 2005 12:13 pm

Oh, I wasn't trying to say she disowns the KC location or doesn't have a financial stake, clearly she does, but when I asked her about it (because I was aware of its existance), she said she doesn't have anything to do with the operations, menus, etc... of the KC restuarant. Her son does.

My point is, although the restuarant carries her name, it's a little like going to Wolfgang Puck's Pizza in the Denver airport. It may have the name and financial support, but that's about it.

OmahaChef · Post by **OmahaChef** » Mon Sep 12, 2005 10:24 pm

Whatever. Let me reiterate my post again. My point was that, personally, for me, a trip to KC to eat definitely includes a visit to Lydia's over a visit to a Cheesecake Factory. I don't know Lydia personally, and don't even know her son. I do have a cookbook I bought there signed by her.

The GM there was a really great guy and I appreciated the amount of time he spent with me trying to get me to sign up for a three year stint. The son wasn't there the day I spent there determining if I wanted to hire on and go to Johnson County Community College, instead of staying in Omaha, attending Metro Community College, and working at Doubletree Hotel Downtown Omaha. I know it looks great for Omaha when national chains locate here, but quality of food and stunning surroundings count for something too. Like I said before, I'd be incredibly impressed if Lydia decided to open a Lydia's in Omaha. THAT would get me excited. I couldn't care less if she only visits it four times a year.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Oct 09, 2005 8:52 pm

Well according to a friend of mine who does structural drawings for a local architecture firm he told me today that he's going to be working on new drawings for a Cheesecake Factory at the Westroads. He usually gets new information weeks or months before everyone else because he also does job bids as well. So I'm talking him into joining this site so we can keep these rumors coming.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Oct 10, 2005 9:55 am

Sounds great... but how many people work on these drawings ... might you be jeopardizing his job?!

nebrwesleyan · Post by **nebrwesleyan** » Mon Oct 10, 2005 10:25 am

I have a wonderful source in a local 'utility company' in town and he informed me yesterday that infact Cheesecake Factory will soon be calling westroads home. The 'utility company' is meeting with westroads officails this week as the mall generates their own 'power' and the 'utility company' wants to change that before Cheesecakes comes in. He was not sure where it will be located, but he thought that the food court might move to the old younkers building like some have stated before. All of this is so exciting. We won't have to wait long I beleive!

sokkerdewd · Post by **sokkerdewd** » Mon Oct 10, 2005 5:55 pm

One thing I'm not clear on w/this project is the fate of the old Younker's space... Is it going to be bulldozed for a new foodcourt or simply gutted and remodeled? I've heard rumors flying both ways. It would seem that this would move a lot faster if it was just a remodel job than a demolition and reconstruction... Anyone heard anything definate?

Post by **Omaha Cowboy** » Tue Oct 11, 2005 12:27 am

sokkerdewd wrote:One thing I'm not clear on w/this project is the fate of the old Younker's space... Is it going to be bulldozed for a new foodcourt or simply gutted and remodeled? I've heard rumors flying both ways. It would seem that this would move a lot faster if it was just a remodel job than a demolition and reconstruction... Anyone heard anything definate?

I've been telling you all to be patient on this one..The Cryptic Rumor Dept does not float around idle chatter without verification from a very reliable source or 2

..

Regarding the old Younker's space..It is my understanding that it is to be remodeled and contain the new food court..

But be rest assured folks, Omaha will be gettimg a Cheesecake Factory and it will be at Westroads..If not, my entire staff at the Cryptic Rumor department is FIRED

..

..Ciao..LiO....Peace

Post by **Omaha Cowboy** » Wed Oct 19, 2005 5:07 am

From the latest Cheesecake Factory press release dated 10/18/05:

'CALABASAS HILLS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 18, 2005--The Cheesecake Factory Incorporated (Nasdaq:CAKE) today reported record revenues for the fiscal third quarter ended September 27, 2005.

The Company's current expansion goal for fiscal 2006 is to open as many as 21 new full service restaurants, consisting of approximately 17 Cheesecake Factory restaurants and four Grand Lux Cafes. Signed leases or letters of intent are in-hand for most of the potential 2006 openings.'..

A link to the entire press release:

http://www.thecheesecakefactory.com/investors.htm

No doubt Omaha is among the 17 planned Cheesecake Factory restaurants to open in 2006..

Stay tuned!..

..Ciao..LiO....Peace

Raraavis · Post by **Raraavis** » Tue Nov 01, 2005 11:17 am

Has the official announcement been made yet. A friend of mine who works in the Westroads said it is a done deal. It will be built in a standalone building near PF Chang's. I apologize if this is old news, I couldn't find a thread with the announcement.

Post by **Omaha Cowboy** » Tue Nov 01, 2005 11:24 am

FY!-

We've been talking about it for 3 months in this thread in the Rumors section:

http://www.eomaha.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2449

Lets move our Cheesecake discussion to that thread..

Thanks..

..Ciao..LiO....Peace

almighty_tuna · Post by **almighty_tuna** » Tue Nov 01, 2005 11:24 am

I think we've known about a Cheesecake Factory in the Westroads, but this is the first I've heard about it not being built as part of the enclosed mall.

Post by **Omaha Cowboy** » Tue Nov 01, 2005 11:27 am

Bump for good measure..

..

..Ciao..LiO....Peace

Raraavis · Post by **Raraavis** » Tue Nov 01, 2005 12:57 pm

A friend of mine who is a manager at the Westroads said it is a done deal. It will be built in a standalone building near PF Chang's.

Calibraskan · Post by **Calibraskan** » Tue Nov 01, 2005 2:09 pm

...So its not going to be in the new 'food court' (which, by the way...What's happened with that?).....but in a NEW(?) stand alone bldg.?-- And since its not 'public knowledge' yet..that means no permits have been applied for which means it could be awhile....

Raraavis · Post by **Raraavis** » Tue Nov 01, 2005 9:47 pm

Let me clarify my post. My friend is a manager of a store not of the mall. This is what they have been told by the mall. They are not involved in any negotiations or contracts.

Post by **Omaha Cowboy** » Wed Nov 02, 2005 12:07 am

Be patient folks..

There is little doubt a CF will come..At Westroads..Either within the Foodcourt or otherwise..My source has indicated (still does..See my opening post to this thread) the CF will occupy the foodcourt area..If it is a stand alone building though..I'd happen to like it even better..

Remember, CF plans to open 17 more restaurants in 2006 according to their latest press release..I'll eat my hat if Omaha is not one of those 17 planned locations..

..

..Ciao..LiO....Peace

MTO · Post by **MTO** » Wed Nov 02, 2005 12:14 am

I hope your right because cowboy hats are quite filling

Post by **Omaha Cowboy** » Wed Nov 02, 2005 1:33 am

..

As delicious as those hats are..I think I'll be having a celebratory drink when its all said and done..

..Ciao..LiO....Peace

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Nov 06, 2005 2:15 pm

My brother works at the Des Moines location and CF is currently also looking at sites in Lincoln near South Pointe, in Sioux Falls SD, and in the Quad Cities.

MTO · Post by **MTO** » Sun Nov 06, 2005 3:55 pm

Anonymous wrote:My brother works at the Des Moines location and CF is currently also looking at sites in Lincoln near South Pointe, in Sioux Falls SD, and in the Quad Cities.

If they put one in Lincoln than I don’t want one here! Waaaaa…
When this opens up we all should meet there on the opening day. And ill buy that cowboy fan from Dallas a drink for being a great asset to the site as well as the best mod we have.

adam186 · Post by **adam186** » Sun Nov 06, 2005 5:24 pm

O come on pkiphd, who cares that Lincolns getting one (besides you). I thought you would be more upset about Sioux Falls getting one than Lincoln. As long was we are getting I don't really care where else they go. And that sounds great about that meet.

MTO · Post by **MTO** » Sun Nov 06, 2005 6:50 pm

Well if its true (and I personally don’t believe all of it is) and all these places are getting a CF than the prestige will be completely gone.

Linkin5 · Post by **Linkin5** » Sun Nov 06, 2005 7:35 pm

who cares? Last time I checked prestige doesn't make your food taste better.

MTO · Post by **MTO** » Sun Nov 06, 2005 7:47 pm

If “we” all wanted a CF for the food then why the heck is it SOOO important that we get one and not just order |expletive| from a catalog?

eomaha · Post by **eomaha** » Sun Nov 06, 2005 8:07 pm

I don't think it would taste quite the same coming from a catalog... even with overnight delivery.

StreetsOfOmaha · Post by **StreetsOfOmaha** » Sun Nov 06, 2005 8:16 pm

Anonymous wrote:My brother works at the Des Moines location and CF is currently also looking at sites in Lincoln near South Pointe, in Sioux Falls SD, and in the Quad Cities.

Wow, if that's the case then somehow Omaha really flew under Cheesecake Factory's radar. Either that or their statistics department has a few "not-so-bright" people in it. Not only should Omaha have gotten one BEFORE Des Moines, it appears it might be in the company of the likes of Lincoln. It annoys me when Omaha isn't given its fare shake, such as a city like Des Moines getting CF before us, but it REALLY annoys me when Omaha and Licoln get something at the same time. For example I HATED the fact that both Omaha and Lincoln both had one Banana Republic. Now, FINALLY Omaha has its second, and will hopefully get more over the next few years.

I just don't get it sometimes. The numbers don't lie, but aparently different companies follow stereotypes over statistics.

Just my 2/100ths of a dollar.

Swift · Post by **Swift** » Sun Nov 06, 2005 8:51 pm

If it was just about the food, you all could have gone to Crane Coffee, which has been selling Cheesecake Factory cheesecake for years!!

adam186 · Post by **adam186** » Sun Nov 06, 2005 9:49 pm

Swift wrote:If it was just about the food, you all could have gone to Crane Coffee, which has been selling Cheesecake Factory cheesecake for years!!

Atmosphere- I'm not saying Crane Coffee doesn't have an atmosphere, but Cheesecake Factory has a unique atmosphere.

Variety- More than cheesecake is offered at CF

I think it would be cool to put the CF in the new building that is replacing the old UP building.

jsheets · Post by **jsheets** » Sun Nov 06, 2005 9:58 pm

But we have Bass Pro and soon to be Cabella's, so take that Des Moines, Lincoln, and Souix Falls!!!!

:-)

eomaha · Post by **eomaha** » Sun Nov 06, 2005 10:04 pm

Add to that probably more Super Walmart's than anyone else, Pheasant's Forever, etc, etc... and you have the makings of a Redneck Capital.

MTO · Post by **MTO** » Sun Nov 06, 2005 10:47 pm

jsheets wrote:But we have Bass Pro and soon to be Cabella's, so take that Des Moines, Lincoln, and Souix Falls!!!!

:-)

Ewwwwwwwwwwwww snap

Swift · Post by **Swift** » Sun Nov 06, 2005 10:50 pm

jhuston wrote:Add to that probably more Super Walmart's than anyone else, Pheasant's Forever, etc, etc... and you have the makings of a Redneck Capital.

Seriously, what can be done to prevent this wal-mart from going in?

jcitta · Post by **jcitta** » Sun Nov 06, 2005 11:08 pm

I dont think that Bass pro and Cabelas signify "redneck". They usually only build them in large cities (exception: the two original cabelas in sidney and kearney), and are usually the top tourist draws in their respective states. And pheasants forever is an organization, not a store, and their national convention brought thousands of people to omaha last year, even if us that attended the event are "rednecks", our money spends as well as anybody's.

eomaha · Post by **eomaha** » Mon Nov 07, 2005 12:13 am

Yes, I'm sorry, I was being a little extreme... I just personally will never understand the fascination with hunting, fishing, ATV'ing, etc, etc. And yes, I realize Pheasants Forever issn't a retail store.

You're absolutely right... these stores (and events) will bring in all sorts of additional tax revenue, employment opportunities, etc, etc for our local economies.

Post by **Omaha Cowboy** » Mon Nov 07, 2005 10:58 am

pkiphd wrote: If they put one in Lincoln than I don’t want one here! Waaaaa…
When this opens up we all should meet there on the opening day. And ill buy that cowboy fan from Dallas a drink for being a great asset to the site as well as the best mod we have.

Why thank you pkiphd

..

Although I'm born and raised Omaha through and through..Dallas-Ft Worth is like my 2nd home..

And for the record, I don't really buy that CF is looking at Lincoln, Sioux Falls SD or the Quad Cities in Iowa (although I had heard a rumor a year or so back that CF was indeed looking into the Quad Cities..Nothing came of it though)..

Remember in the latest CF press release I posted here a couple of weeks ago..Cheesecake Factory plans to open 17 new locations in 2006..They currently have 99 locations and don't just pop up in metros of 300,000 or less..Des Moines, at 511,000, is by far the smallest 'non-tourist' metro they're located in..

..Ciao..LiO....Peace

Calibraskan · Post by **Calibraskan** » Mon Nov 07, 2005 12:00 pm

ONE metro....If Lincoln gets a CF (assuming Omaha's opens first) then the Metro will have TWO!!

...And, I think a Lincoln CF would do VERY well no matter where they put it.