Tastes of the Season

What do you think of when you hear California Pizza Kitchen?  If you're like me you think of gourmet pizzas that are delicious.  But let me be honest I don't think of them when I'm craving a good steak or a hearty meal.  But I am here to tell you that I was VERY wrong.  I had the absolute pleasure of being invited into CPK recently to try out their seasonally inspired menu.  It is a complete understatement when I say I was more than satisfied by the selection of food and drink.  They had to roll me out of there upon closing.

Not only was the food and drink to die for so was the service.  As someone who used to work at a restaurant, service means a ton to me.  If I dine at a restaurant that has great food but terrible service I will never go back.  So to find a restaurant with A +'s in both categories is gold.  The GM of our CPK, Kelly Baker does an outstanding job of making his guests feel like family and granting a whole dining experience.  Our server Benito was also well versed, knowledgeable, courteous, and friendly.  The two of them just made our night!

The next time you're wanting a fun, melt-in-your-mouth meal you need to check out CPK.

Before you go, I have a few suggestions for your next dining experience.

I like to start any night out with a fun cocktail.  California Pizza Kitchen has an array of cocktails with the flavors of summer. I was most surprised by the California Roots Cocktail- Svedka Vodka, Fresh Avocado & Mint, Fresh Agave Sour, and a Fennel Salt Room.  I couldn't imagine a cocktail with avocado but it was intriguing and delicious. It was light, fresh, and just a hint of sweet.

May I also suggest the Strawberry Lime Margarita, Sangria Flight, Blueberry Ginger Smash, and Citrus Crush.

These beautiful ladies and fellow bloggers came with me to check out CPK's seasonal menu as well.
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 Good company makes the experience complete.

As you enjoy a cocktail and good company I have to highly recommend you try the Bianco Flatbread.  The flatbread is whipped truffle cream, Gorgonzola, Mozzarella and fresh sage.  Are you drooling yet?  It's pure comfort food.

If you would like to start with a salad before your entree I highly suggest the California Fields Salad which features fresh watermelon and strawberries, field greens, Feta cheese, California Pistachio's, all topped with a Champagne Vinaigrette.  It was so fresh and crisp.  One of my favorite salads is the Roasted Veggie which features artichoke hearts, eggplant, asparagus, red and yellow peppers, avocado, corn and sun-dried tomatoes served on Romaine and topped with Dijon balsamic vinaigrette.

I couldn't dine at CPK without getting my favorite pizza, BBQ Chicken Pizza.

I'm getting hungry looking at this...

The main courses were extra impressive and where I was most surprised.  Like I mentioned I think of Pizza when I think CPK but you need to run to California Pizza Kitchen to try one of these mouth watering entrees.

My belly was lucky enough to try Hearth-Roasted Halibut, Roasted Garlic Chicken & Seasonal Vegetables and Fire-Grilled Ribeye.  There were no disappointments but the Ribeye and the butternut squash farro from the Halibut were on the top of my list.

The halibut is Wild Alaskan Halibut roasted on a cedar plank with asparagus and butternut squash farro and baby kale.  The ribeye is a 12 oz USDA choice ribeye grilled with house made Pinot Noir sea salt and topped with a creamy blue cheese butter.  Served alongside the ribeye were fingerling potatoes and lemon-garlic wild arugula salad.  The Garlic Chicken is pan-sauteed in a lemon-garlic sauce served with fingerling potatoes, cauliflower, Mediterranean herbs and seasonal vegetables.

Anyone who knows me knows I can't finish a meal without a dessert.  Do yourself a favor and save yourself a little room for one of the decadent desserts from CPK.  We tried the Belgian Chocolate Souffle Cake, Strawberry Shortcake , and the Butter Cake.  The Butter Cake is over the top and won the A + from me.  The Strawberry Shortcake came in a close second because its made with a fresh biscuit.  The Souffle cake was a tad to rich for me but that could be because I was overly indulged already. 

CPK offers such a variety of delicious food and drink it won't disappoint you, I promise.  May I suggest you check out their seasonal menu before it changes.  I know that it won't be long at all before I find my way back in, just enough time to lose all the weight I gained from this amazing meal.
To find a location near you click HERE.

Our meal was given in exchange for this review.  As always all opinions expressed are honest and my own.