Fresh + Fabulous Cocktails Part of the 'Next Chapter' for CPK

Handcrafted cocktails, seasonal menu items and a whole new urban rustic aesthetic. The Tustin location of California Pizza Kitchen (CPK) is one of the first in the country to unveil CPK’s expanded food and cocktail menus and a modern, inviting new look. A favorite for family-friendly dining, meeting up with friends, date night, business and post-shopping lunches since 1985; we probably all have a favorite CPK pizza – mine is the Thai Chicken – what’s yours?

On a recent visit, my dining companion and I were most impressed with the delicious array of hand-shaken cocktails featuring premium spirits, fresh fruit purees, herbs, house made syrups, fruit garnishes, and unique rimmed salts not found in most multiple-outlet restaurants.

California Roots cocktail

The Blood Orange Sangria (opening photo), California Roots (above) and Blueberry Ginger Smash (below) are appealing to the eye and refreshing on the palate with healthy ingredients that makes lunch time imbibing so easy! Fresh avocado and a rim of fennel salt on the “California Roots” is a perfect example of the special touch that ups the wow factor in CPK’s spirited cocktail offerings and deserves the slogan “Be Passionate about what you drink”.

Blueberry Ginger Smash cocktail

CPK currently has more than 240 CPK’s in 33 American states and franchises in nine foreign countries – striking evidence of their enduring popularity as a casual dining concept with a sunny California vibe. In 2015, CPK announced the arrival of the “Next Chapter” – a new and vastly expanded menu, featuring fresh, seasonal ingredients, inventive main plates, hand-crafted cocktails and customizable Lunch Duos, to several California locations, including Tustin Marketplace

Popular Lunch Duos | Pizza or 1/2 Sandwich + Soup or Salad

CPK Tustin General Manager Sam Rogers added, “Our new menu offers fresh seasonal dishes, locally sourced ingredients and globally inspired flavors. We’re excited to incorporate all these delicious new dishes to our menu.” Always with an eye toward the healthier options on restaurant menus, our favorite dish of the day was the Harvest Kale Salad chock full of fall flavors: thinly sliced pear, chunks of roasted squash, spiced pecans, peppery arugula and baby lettuces napped in a light vinaigrette. We both really enjoyed the flavors and textures of this hearty salad.

Lighter flatbreads with new flavors like the Maine Lobster Flatbread with shaved red onion, peppery arugula and fresh herbs and Brussels Sprouts and Bacon are perfect for diners who are looking to minimize carbs.

For those with specific dietary needs, CPK also has options that are under 650 calories, vegetarian or gluten-free. Any of their pizzas can be made with gluten-free pizza crust for an additional $2.00, and they are GIG (The Gluten Intolerance Group) certified. Due to limited kitchen space, four pizza selections can be prepared using the strict procedures outlined by GIG. Please inform a manager of any allergies or special dietary needs before order. CPK provides allergen information to those with food sensitivities. For the complete menu, visit www.cpk.com/reimagined.

New main plates include a Fire-Grilled Ribeye with Pinot Noir sea salt and creamy bleu cheese butter, roasted fingerling potatoes and lemon-garlic arugula salad; Moroccan-spiced Chicken with cauliflower and fingerling potatoes (pictured below) and Hearth-Roasted Halibut, wild caught from Alaska and roasted on a cedar plank with butternut squash farro, grilled asparagus (above).

The warm, rustic New Chapter design focuses on sustainable materials and features oak floors, tabletops and chairs made from reclaimed wood, stone countertops, fabrics and décor made from recycled materials, a natural herb garden and artwork that celebrates local landmarks in Orange County.

CPK Tustin features flexible dining options in the main restaurant and bar with a large covered patio to take advantage of our year-round gorgeous Southern California weather is in the works.