Macy’s at Union Square Could Close. But Leave the Cheesecake Factory Alone. | Eater SF

"Perched atop Macy’s department store at Union Square, I visited this Cheesecake Factory on Friday, April 5 around noon and found a place that still feels like an approachable, slightly theatrical institution. I was able to make a reservation by signing up for the Cheesecake Reward program (an email address gets you a booking and, at least on this visit, a $5 discount), and the elevator up to the eighth-floor dining room still delights with photos of dishes lighting up each floor. The decor blends disparate architectural elements—San Francisco Victorian beadboard paneling, Egyptian columns, and French limestone floors—but what sets this location apart is the breathtaking view of Union Square and the city skyline from the patio (in the holidays that view even included the glittering Christmas tree and ice skaters below). Inside, booths were filled with families and a few loud kids, mixed in with work lunches, while innocuous Strokes and Nelly Furtado songs played overhead. The famously chonky menu remains intact: the revered brown bread arrives as a welcome starter, the Chili-Crunch Shrimp Pasta (spaghettini with sautéed shrimp, snow peas, Parmesan, sesame seeds, and crispy garlic) shows the chile-oil trend, and the eggroll sampler presents four crispy, bubble-pocked rolls—avocado-stuffed, Tex-Mex with chicken and peppers, a chicken taquito–style roll, and a cheeseburger-inspired version—each with dipping sauces; there’s even a highlighted section of dishes under $10. Some throwbacks persist—the SkinnyLicious lower-calorie menu feels dated—while the cheesecake offerings remain gloriously untouched and are paired with brands like Ghirardelli, Oreo, Reese’s, Godiva, and Cinnabon, and classics like the vanilla-ice-cream–topped fresh strawberry shortcake still taste bright and sweet. Cheesecake Factory isn’t perfect, but it anchors this landmark space and manages, with surprising aplomb and joie de vivre, to serve a wide range of diners from groups of ten to a solo visitor; staff told me the restaurant was expected to remain open for another ten years until the lease ends, though that wasn’t confirmed by corporate." - Dianne de Guzman