Cheesecake Sale at the Cheesecake Factory

It just wouldn’t be right, would it, if National Cheesecake Day came and went without some scrumptious offering from the Cheesecake Factory?

The company will be offering “Any Slice, Half Price” on all its cheesecakes for dine-in guests on July 30.

Just for the occasion, the Cheesecake Factory also will be debuting its newest specialty: Oreo Dream Extreme Cheesecake. Oh yes, it’s a layer of vanilla cheesecake loaded with Oreo cookies, then layers of fudge cake, along with Oreo cookie mousse. The whole shebang is frosted in milk chocolate icing, then garnished with a large Oreo cookie wafer.

Lark Creek Blue Coming to Santana Row in August

You may have noticed that Yankee Pier at Santana Row in San Jose is no more.

But don’t worry, the space won’t be vacant for long. The Lark Creek Restaurant Group is completely remodeling the spot for its new Lark Creek Blue, which will open in August.

Unlike Yankee Pier, which focused on seafood, the new restaurant will expand beyond just fish and shellfish to also include USDA Prime and grass-fed beef, as well as specialty international dishes.

Chef Paul Bruno, late of Las Vegas restaurants Michael Mina and SeaBlue, will oversee the cuisine at the casual, contemporary restaurant that will have a circular raw bar and open kitchen.

Look for dishes such as Angus beef carpaccio with nori flakes, white radish and pickled mushrooms ($11.75); and roast Duroc pork noodle bowl ($17.50). Each evening, the restaurant also will feature a different nightly “classic” dish, such as Southern fried chicken ($19.50) on Mondays, and Kerala-style whole fish curry ($25) on Tuesdays.

Meet Barbecue Guru Steven Raichlen in San Francisco

If you’re a barbecue fan, you sure don’t want to miss award-winning author and barbecue-meister, Steven Raichlen’s Aug. 2 appearance in San Francisco.

Raichlen will be on hand at the California Academy of Sciences at 7:30 p.m. for a lecture on the evolution of barbecue. It’s all part of the academy’s Nightlife “Summer Celebration” program, 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Afterward, he’ll sign copies of his newest book, “Best Ribs Ever: 100 Killer Recipes Including Slaws, Baked Beans & Finger-Lickin’ Sauces” (Workman).

Tickets to the entire Nightlife program are $10 for academy member or $12 for non-members.

Asian Box Plans To Open Two More Locations

Palo Alto’s fast-casual Asian Box is expanding on the Peninsula later this year.

Besides the original Town & Country Village location in Palo Alto, Asia Box will open two new locations: 142 Castro St. in downtown Mountain View, to open this fall; and 305 Primrose Road in Burlingame in early 2013.

The gluten-free cafe lets customers customize their Asian noodle and rice boxes by choosing from all manner of toppings, sauces and proteins.

Asian Box expects to have five locations in the Bay Area open by mid-2013, so look for more to come.

More: A Visit to Asian Box in Palo Alto

And: Steven Raichlen’s Chinatown Ribs Recipe

And: Steven Raichlen’s Thai Grilled Chicken with Lemongrass and Ginger