California Pizza Kitchen Stuns With New Menu
California Pizza Kitchen always throws the best parties so when I get an invite telling me CPK is unveiling a new location and teaming up with Casamigos Tequila you know I was going to be there! The Westfield Century City has been going through a lot of renovations and construction for awhile now, so I was very excited to see the new location. It's beautiful by the way. Very modern and minimalist. There's also a lot of bird cage detailing inside that I was absolutely in love with.
At the event, I arrived to see all the fun Casamigos stations they had set up. They had even brought in an expert mixologist to teach us how to make some of the new drinks that will be debuting at California Pizza Kitchen in the next two weeks! The Cocktail Lab, as they referred to it, taught us guests how to make a Strawberry Lime Margarita and a Casamigos Blanco Sangria.
On the new menu side, there were a slew of new dishes that I was so so excited to try. Executive chef Brian Sullivan, who leads the creative development as well as testing and deployment of new menu, was there to greet us. Chef Brian recognized me from the many other CPK events I have attended in the past and greeted me warmly. He was so excited to share all the new items that would be rolling out to all the California Pizza Kitchen locations late April. So what's in store?
- Charred Shishito Peppers
- Spicy Buffalo Cauliflower
- California Fields Salad with Strawberry & Champagne vinaigrette
- Santa Fe Power Bowl
- Wild Mushroom Pizza with White Truffle Oil
- Carne Asada Pizza with salsa verde
- Lemongrass Chicken
- Salted Caramel Pudding
If you love spicy food, I'd recommend the carne asada pizza. I honestly didn't think a restaurant like CPK would actually lay on the spice, but wow! My all time-favorite pizza is the wild mushroom with white truffle oil pizza. That will always hit the spot for me. Although all the new dishes were exciting because they're not something I typically would imagine to be on the menu at CPK, the most exciting dish hands-down was the burger! You heard that right! A burger!
CPK has never had a burger before. Chef Brian has tested the burger in Vegas, but this new Westfield Century City location is the only location in California to have the burger. Let me tell you, this burger is delicious! Anyone can make a burger, but not everyone can make a good burger. And boy, oh boy was this burger damn good. The West Coast Burger is made of a blend of Wagyu, Chuck & Brisket topped with melted American cheese, Nueske's applewood smoked bacon, caramelized onions, tomato, pickles, lettuce, housemade burger sauce & served with thick potatoes & white Truffle ketchup. I'm drooling in my mouth just thinking about the burger right now. I wish it was all my local CPK, but I guess the trek to Century City isn't so bad for a burger like that.
Of course there's more cocktails that CPK is debuting that are worth trying as well! I'm personally not a big drinker, but I was drinking away all night. The first picture is the Watermelon Mint Martni, which was so darn refreshing. The Coconut Blossom made me feel like I was lounging on the beach in Hawaii somewhere. The Citrus Adobo Margarita with the salted rim was also divine. Non-drinkers also had a choice of the Cucumber Reviver that tasted so healthy and tasty at the same time. 
If you live near Century City, I highly recommend you go check out the new CPK location and order that burger! You can thank me after. The other new dishes will be available at all California Pizza Kitchen locations so don't fret. Chef Brian was kind enough to make something special for me that wasn't part of the event. If you've never had CPK's Butter Cake, go run out and order one now. No joke. I know it sounds crazy, but I dream of their Butter Cake. It's not to rich, not too sweet. It's soft and pillowy and melts in your mouth. And if I can't convince you, maybe this picture can!
I am constantly wowed by the effort CPK puts into innovating and coming up with new menu items. There are so many restaurants out there that are complacent with how things are and CPK is definitely not one of them. Eating at CPK doesn't feel like you're eating at a chain restaurant. I can't wait to go back for another burger and of course, another Butter Cake. I also had never tried Casamigos until that night. It mixed in great with the cocktails. Almost too great. It was getting dangerous with how tasty the drinks were. It was link drinking fruit juice and lemonade!
You can visit the new Westfield Century City at:10250 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90067.
It's located across from the Container Store. You can check out the new CPK menu and learn more about what's in store at their website here: www.cpk.com/. Thanks for having me! I had so much fun!
