 |
| California Pizza Kitchen in Ka Makana Ali`i |
Our family loves dining at California Pizza Kitchen. I've
blogged about CPK several times before, and you'll often see posts on my Instagram feeds of my favorite dishes - the
Avocado Club Egg Rolls, the
Original BBQ Chicken Pizza (with Nueske's Applewood Smoked Bacon
), or one of the many decadent
desserts.
I am so excited that a new location will be opening up (2pm on Friday, September 30) in Ka Makana Ali`i in Kapolei!
I was fortunate to have been invited to a tasting last night at the new 6,200 square-foot eatery. I love the new "Next Chapter" design. The main dining room is spacious and fresh, and the covered patio offers a lovely, relaxing space to dine as well.
 |
| Patio |
 |
| Take-out station wall is decorated with pieces of skateboards! |
 |
| A closer look at the recycled skateboards |
 |
| Love the combination of the artwork representing both California and Hawaii! |
The open kitchen allows guests to watch their tasty creations being made, and the bar is modern and inviting.
I usually stick to my aforementioned faves whenever I dine at California Pizza Kitchen, but I had a chance to try a variety of popular menu items, as well as some new additions.
 |
| Mushroom Pepperoni Sausage Pizza |
Although the toppings on this pizza may sound basic, it tastes so good! Cremini mushrooms, 4-inch hand-torn pepperoni, spicy Italian sausage, fresh torn basil, Mozzarella, and wild Greek oregano all combine to create one tasty pizza!
 |
| Quinoa + Arugula Salad |
Quinoa, arugula, sun-dried tomatoes, red onions, toasted pine nuts, and Feta is tossed in a housemade Champagne vinaigrette. This was a light salad that would make a great accompaniment to a pizza!
 |
| Crispy Ahi Tuna Roll |
The Cripsy Ahi Tuna Roll is a Hawaii-exclusive dish. Crispy won tons are filled with ahi, avocado, nori, and cabbage, and served with a tamari-ginger dipping sauce. It was very good (but I still love the Avocado Club Egg Rolls so much more!).
 |
| Spicy Buffalo Cauliflower |
The Spicy Buffalo Cauliflower is a new menu item. I've seen versions of these in magazines as a healthier alternative to buffalo chicken and always wanted to give them a try. Cauliflower florets are coated with a buttermilk batter and fried, then tossed in a housemade Sriracha buffalo sauce, and topped with a celery, Gorgonzola, and cilantro salad. The cauliflower was indeed spicy, and surprisingly very good!
 |
| Wild Mushroom Pizza |
The Wild Mushroom Pizza - shaved cremini, shiitake, portobello, and white mushrooms, scallions, black pepper, Romano and Mozzarella - is delicious on its own, but drizzle it with some white truffle oil, and it is even more amazing.
 |
| Wild Mushroom Strozzapreti |
The Wild Mushroom Strozzapreti - rolled pasta noodles mixed together with pan-sautéed cremini, portobello and seasonal mushrooms, Parmesan, and fresh thyme & parsley - was my favorite dish of the evening. It was packed with flavor, and I ate almost the entire dish myself!
 |
| Fire-Grilled Ribeye |
The 12oz USDA Choice ribeye is grilled with Pinot Noir sea salt and topped with bleu cheese butter, and is accompanied by roasted fingerling potatoes and a lemon-garlic wild arugula salad. I'm not a huge meat eater so I didn't try the ribeye, but I enjoyed the potatoes and salad!
 |
| Salted Caramel Pudding |
I've tried the Salted Caramel Pudding before since I love all things salted caramel, and it is divine! A rich caramel pudding sits atop black cocoa cookie crumbs, and is topped with housemade whipped cream, caramel sauce, and natural flaked Maldon sea salt.
 |
| Butter Cake topped with Ice Cream |
If you've never had dessert at California Pizza Kitchen before, I'd highly recommend the Butter Cake, and getting it with Vanilla Haagen-Dazs is a must. This multi-layered dessert is irresistible!
Not only does California Pizza Kitchen offer hand-tossed-artisan pizzas, unique pastas and salads, and decadent desserts, but they also offer a variety of refreshing beverages, including hand-shaken cocktails.
 |
| California Roots - Svedka Vodka, Fresh Avocado & Mint, Fresh Agave Sour, Fennel Salt Rim |
 |
| Hand-Shaken Agave Mojito - Bacardi Superior Rum, Fresh Agave Sour, Fresh Mint & Lime, Organic Hawaiian Sugar Cane |
 |
| Coconut Blossom - Hangar 1 "Mandarin Blossom" Vodka, Casamgios Tequilo Blanco, Fresh Agave Sour, Perfect Puree Coconut, Fresh Pinapple |
 |
| Sangria Flight - 3oz pours of Orchard, Red-Berry and Beehive Sangria |
California Pizza Kitchen offers refreshing non-alcoholic beverages as well:
 |
| Fresh Strawberry Mango Cooler |
 |
| Cranberry Cooler |
At the event were CPK President Chris Morris, Senior VP of Culinary Innvoation Brian Sullivan, and Hawaii Regional Partner Eddie Spencer. Their passion for providing customers with the best food and experience whenever dining at CPK was evident. I've always enjoyed the food and service whenever dining at CPK, and now I have a greater appreciation of what actually goes into the dishes (hand-pulled wild Greek oregano, Pinot Noir Sea Salt!).
The excitement for the new California Pizza Kitchen is undeniable!
California Pizza Kitchen
Ka Makana Ali`i
91-5431 Kapolei Parkway, Suite 500
Gem,
ReplyDeleteNice to finally meet you at CPK Kapolei last night! You took some GREAT shots! Must have been nice sitting with Betty Shimabukuro of the Star Advertiser. I heard Nadine Kam was at the restaurant the previous night.