California Pizza Kitchen is a global renowned Pizza brand by itself. It's famous for array of pizzas which are not run of the mill like bigger joints and produce pizzas like an assembly line. The USP of CPK's pizza is that it is minutely inspected and customized as per taste. So, this time I responded to their message "Orale Amigos" and headed to their outlet in Phoenix Market City Mall in Velachery, Chennai.
So I put on my Mexican hat and sat with expectation that it would be spicy and tangy like our Indian food and at the end I could say that it exceeded my expectations.
By looking at the number of footfalls that came in and tried out Mexican dishes, Head Chef Malar Mannan and Manager Mr. Srinivasan and his team deserves felicitations.
Next came CPK Nachos which was crisp to the T. Perfectly balanced with chili and sweetness. Loved every bite of Jalapenos, chopped tomatoes and cheese sauce.
The menu also features Crispy Tortilla Salad , crispy to the core with shredded lettuce, cherry tomatoes dipped in tangy dressing is sure to win your heart !
Southwestern Chillie Chicken was the stunner for us. Grilled Chicken breast was done to the perfection, basted with southwest green chili and cheese. They should seriously introduce this beauty in their regular menu.
The highlights of the Mexican menu were the thin crust pizzas, we were served 4 types toppings. We also tried Veg Pizzas, one was Sonora Pizza and another was Mexican Habanero Pizza. Sonora Pizza had Thin Crust Base with roasted tomato salsa, roasted corn and black bean salsa along with generous amount of avocado and cilantro. The veggies were evidently fresh from the taste and the crust was just right in crispness.
For vegetarians there was yet another delightful and light option i.e. Habanero Pizza.
The base was traditional topeed with Baja cottage cheese, button mushrooms, cherry tomatoes and spiced up with Habanero chili. This was spicy and tangy and left a lingering taste after every bite.
Southwestern Chillie Chicken was the stunner for us. Grilled Chicken breast was done to the perfection, basted with southwest green chili and cheese. They should seriously introduce this beauty in their regular menu.
The highlights of the Mexican menu were the thin crust pizzas, we were served 4 types toppings. We also tried Veg Pizzas, one was Sonora Pizza and another was Mexican Habanero Pizza. Sonora Pizza had Thin Crust Base with roasted tomato salsa, roasted corn and black bean salsa along with generous amount of avocado and cilantro. The veggies were evidently fresh from the taste and the crust was just right in crispness.
For vegetarians there was yet another delightful and light option i.e. Habanero Pizza.
The base was traditional topeed with Baja cottage cheese, button mushrooms, cherry tomatoes and spiced up with Habanero chili. This was spicy and tangy and left a lingering taste after every bite.
Two Non Veg Pizzas that we tasted were Chicken Asada Pizza and New Mexico Pizza.The unique ingredients for Asada Pizza are sliced chicken with cilantro pesto with new Mexico green chill sauce and a combination of cheddar and fontina cheese topped with roasted peppers. The New Mexico Pizza had thin crust base with ranchito sauce spiced up with chiptole chicken and spiced red onion and new Mexico green chills. Both were distinctly unique.
Cheesey Chimichuri Penne was a combination of garlic and chimichuri sauce with sprinkle of herbs. Worth trying it.
Though Fettuccine Heidi , the look of it , the dish looked inviting but we were full.
Though Fettuccine Heidi , the look of it , the dish looked inviting but we were full.
Desserts are always an essential part of visiting CKP. We were served Caramel Banana Flan served on a bed of vanilla sponge with Banana Cream and garnished with Caramel sauce.
I was full to the brim, may be that's why couldn't relish it but if you are a chocolate lover then don't forget to try 'The trio of Chocolate Mousse'. The way they serve is nothing short of lavish. The chocolate cupcake which is also edible has 3 types of Mexican chocolates: white, milk and dark.
I was full to the brim, may be that's why couldn't relish it but if you are a chocolate lover then don't forget to try 'The trio of Chocolate Mousse'. The way they serve is nothing short of lavish. The chocolate cupcake which is also edible has 3 types of Mexican chocolates: white, milk and dark.
Enjoy the carnival of flavours with fantastic and pocket friendly Mexifornia menu from May 21 to June 21, 2015 at all California Pizza outlets across India.
Disclaimer: This review was done on an invitation from CPK. So views expressed here are entirely ours.
