Great Food @ California Pizza Kitchen, Fahrenheit88

It was a surprise to me and many others when California Pizza Kitchen (CPK) relocated to Fahrenheit 88.  The last time I went to CPK for my Red Velvet fix, it was still in Suria KLCC.  Ever since then I never got around to visiting the new location till I was invited to the launch of California Pizza Kitchen's latest menu additions in mid October recently.  They still dish out some innovative items now and then (how I fell in love with their introduction of Pesto Chicken Pizza and Cheeseburger Pizza back then in September 2010).  While the price range of CPK's items are on the higher scale; CPK delivers more with the generous, fresh and high grade ingredients they put into their servings. Do note that a few of CPK's items contain alcohol; it's denoted in their menu with an "*" next to the item name (I've also done the same here) and you can always check with the staff too.

There're two items which I didn't manage to take a photo of and that's the Wild Mushroom Soup (Bowl RM15, Cup RM11 - puree of Portobello, Shiitake and white mushrooms with a touch of cream and garnished with homemade garlic-herb croutons).  It's a heavenly treat for mushroom fans -  but some might not take to it as much as I did as they may find the mushrooms too overwhelming.  I guess if you like it mild you shouldn't order Wild Mushroom Soup, yes???

Then there's the Spicy Chicken Tinga Quesadilla (RM18 - Crispy hearth-baked flour tortilla with grilled lime chicken, Monterrey Jack and Cheddar Cheeses, chipotle sauce, caramelized sweet onions, roasted red and yellow peppers, black beans and fresh cilantro and served with CPK's homemade ranchito sauce).  Eat it while it's warm....yes, the gooey cheeses hangs on to the tortilla, hahaha... a bite of it actually made it look like it was performing a trapeze act minus the performer of course.  It still gave a lovely performance! Loved it!

This time round, there are another 12 new items! Feast your eyes on 10 of them....

White Corn Guacamole & Roasted Tomato Salsa with Chips (RM25 - Fresh avocado, sweet white corn, black beans, jicama, green onions, red bell pepper, cilantro, serrano peppers and a homemade roasted tomato salsa served with white corn tortilla chips).  I was torn between the two dips which tasted great and had their own merits.  The creamy crunch of the White Corn Guacamole and the tangy zing of the Roasted Tomato Salsa - both exceptionally tasty!

Roasted Vegetable Salad (Full RM30, Half RM27 - Roasted artichoke hearts, asparagus, eggplant, red and yellow peppers, tossed in homemade Dijon balsamic vinaigrette.  Topped with fresh avocado.  Add grilled shrimp for RM14 and/or sauteed salmon for RM16)

Hawaiian BBQ Chicken Pizza (RM31 - Fresh pineapple, BBQ chicken, Monterey Jack and Mozzarella cheeses, barbeque sauce, sliced red onions and fresh cilantro).  It's definitely a crowd pleaser with the sweetness from the pineapple and savoury flavours from the BBQ sauce. 

Four Seasons Pizza (RM40 - Imported Italian tomatoes, oven-roasted artichoke hearts, salami, fresh mushrooms, mild onions, fresh Mozzarella cheeses and topped with fresh herbs and Parmesan cheese).  Found this thin crust pizza pretty normal when compared to their other unique pizzas lineup.

Roasted Artichoke and Spinach Pizza (RM40 - Inspired by CPK's popular Spinach Artichoke Dip, this pizza is a blend of oven-roasted artichoke hearts, sauteed spinach and garlic.  Monterey Jack, Mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses and a spinach artichoke sauce. Add grilled chicken Rm10).  It would not please meat eaters but this healthy pizza still delivers in flavours.

Spicy Seafood Pizza * (RM40 - Baby clams, shrimp and calamari rings with CPK's spicy marinara sauce, red pepper flakes and Mozzarella and fresh Mozzarella cheeses).  This spicy thin crust pizza packs a real oomph and comes across as the most Malaysian pizza I've tasted but a good tasting one for sure.  But my fave is still the earlier two that I mentioned in the first paragraph.

Chicken Milanese (RM43.50 - Thinly pounded chicken breast, lightly breaded with panko bread crumbs and sauteed.  Topped with fresh arugula, shaved Parmesan cheese and a combination of fresh tomatoes, basil, garlic and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil).  This item is such a bagful of flavours; a lovely ensemble indeed.

Olive Oil & Garlic Spaghetti (Chicken RM29, Shrimp RM36, Chicken & Shrimp RM39 - Spaghetti with olive oil, garlic, red pepper flakes, fresh sauteed mushrooms, chopped fresh parsley and Parmesan cheese).  This pasta dish was bold in flavours...and I enjoyed every single bite of it.  The generous amount of succulent shrimps and mushrooms made this pasta a truly enjoyable eating experience.

Seafood Linguini * (RM43.50 - Linguini with baby clams, shrimp, calamari with garlic, fresh parsley, Parmesan cheese, white wine and red pepper flakes.  Tossed in your choice of a light lemon cream sauce or imported Italian tomatoes and fresh basil).  It tasted very mild as compared to the earlier Olive Oil & Garlic Spaghetti but should appease fans of seafood since there is such an abundance of it in this pasta dish.

and last but not least, Warm Apple Pie Pizza (RM15 - made with Granny Smith apples with a crispy brown sugar and butter topping, served with vanilla ice-cream).  This was the last item brought out and to think that I was too full to eat? Nah, there's always room for dessert ... And a dessert like this deserves to such a sacrifice from the waist line! It's simply marvelous ... the warmth of the apple slices on the pizza dough with the coldness of the creamy vanilla ice cream was really divine.  Since this Apple Pie Pizza is locally made unlike the imported cakes, it is priced attractively which means bonus points to a already yummy dessert such as this! This is going to be my favourite dessert order from CPK. 

And there's good news to announce...there's no greater time to visit CPK at this new location or for the first time as they are giving a 30% discount off all CPK's NEW creations from now till Nov 15. Terms & Conditions apply, so check at the restaurant.

California Pizza Kitchen

Fahrenheit88 Shopping Mall

Lot 2.02, 2nd Floor

179 Jalan Bukit Bintang

55100 Kuala Lumpur

Tel : 03-2141 2173

Daily Opening Hours : 11 am - 10 pm (last order @ 9.45pm)