CPK's New Stuff

As if I didn't have enough reasons to love this job, was invited to lunch (together with the other magazines) by California Pizza Kitchen to try out their new stuff. A rundown of their "new palate-teasers":

• Clam Chowder - It's their current bestselling soup. Didn't get to try it though.
• Thai Crunch Salad - To start things off: shredded Napa cabbage, chilled grilled chicken breast, julienne cucumbers, edamame (I think these are those little Japanese snacks that resemble peas), crispy wontons, peanuts, cilantro, julienne carrots, red cabbage, and scallions tossed together with a lime-cilantro dressing, crispy rice sticks, and Thai peanut dressing.
  
• Chipotle Chicken Pizza - It's got fire-roasted mild chilies, chipotle sauce, and Mozzarella and Enchilado cheeses. In the center, it's got a mound of roasted corn and black bean salsa, cilantro, and lime cream sauce.

Fast fact: Chipotles are smoke-dried chile/jalapeno peppers used in Mexican cooking.

• Milan Pizza - Dee-lish! It's a Neopolitan pizza (if I'm not mistaken, meaning it's got a thin, crunchy crust) topped with grilled Italian sausage, sweet wild mushrooms (I think they're Portabello. Or maybe I'm inventing!), caramelized onions, and Fontina and Mozzarella cheeses. It's also got fresh basil and Parmesan cheese. It's a bit pricey though (supposedly because of the mushrooms)--around P700 for about 14 inches.
• Shanghai Garlic Noodles - Didn't get to try it, but the QA officer says it's sort of like their version of the Pancit Canton. It's Chinese noodles wok-stirred in a garlic-ginger saice with snow peas, Shitake mushrooms, mild onions, red and yellow peppers, broccoli, and scallions. I think there's a bit of shrimp in there too.
• Szechuan Orange Chicken Lettuce Wraps - If you've got a thing for spicy food, you might want to try this: crispy chicken wok seared with Shitake mushrooms, water chestnuts, carrots, and green onions, served on a bed of crispy rice noodles and some Szechuan orange sauce. The lettuce is served on a separate plate, so you have to put it together yourself. Warning: not to be eaten on first dates, kinda messy!
• Avocado Club Eggrolls - A winner! This was my favorite among the bunch. Crispy wontons stuffed with fresh avocado, chicken, tomato, Monterey Jack Cheese, applewood smoked bacon. It's served with ranchito sauce and herb ranch dressing. Mmmm. If you were to try just one thing, let this be it! Well, this or the Milan Pizza.

CPK's got branches at Glorietta 3, Alabang Town Center, Shangri-La Mall, Tomas Morato, and Promenade.

(Left) My favorite! The Avocado Club Eggrolls. (Right) The very Mexican
Chipotle Chicken Pizza. Photos courtesy of CPK.