International pizzas franchises opening in India usually opt to adapt their menu to suit the Indian palette. So it isn’t unusual to find a paneer tikka pizza or a tandoori chicken pizza available.
What: California Pizza Kitchen
Where: First Level, High Street Phoenix, Lower Parel
What’s on the menu: Pizzas, pastas and salads
Drinking: No
Smoking: No
International pizzas franchises opening in India usually opt to adapt their menu to suit the Indian palette. So it isn’t unusual to find a paneer tikka pizza or a tandoori chicken pizza available. And that’s exactly what’s different about California Pizza Kitchen, who opened a second outlet at High Street Phoenix, Lower Parel, after a popular run at Bandra Kurla Complex. Though they call California home and offer ‘American’ pizzas (read original BBQ Chicken Pizza), several worldly flavours are on offer from countries as diverse as Mexico, Italy and even Thailand. Stepping in, one can’t help but notice the differences in the ambience chosen for the BKC and Lower Parel outlets.
More elegant
While an element of comfort has been retained at both places, a dash of class has been added to the Lower Parel outlet, perhaps keeping in mind the working crowd that frequents the mall close by. The black booths are formal enough for a quick business lunch and comfy enough to allow friends to hang out. On the menu are several pizzas, pastas and appetisers that intrigue. The staff is friendly, always ready to explain the various toppings and combinations. We opted for the Vegetarian Combo Platter (Rs 460), Southwestern Burrito Pizza (Rs 485, thin crust) and Chicken Tequila Fettuccine Pasta (Rs 485). The platter (hummus, vegetable lettuce wraps and herb onion/ garlic cheese focaccia) looked delicious but was a letdown especially the hummus, which could have been better. The garlic cheese focaccia though was something else and we wished we had opted for a full plate of it instead.
With just the right amount of spice, and black beans that were melted into the thin crust, the pizza (black beans, fire-roasted mild chillies, sliced onions, spicy green chillies and Cheddar cheese) was a delight and we were left asking for more. The pasta too (original Spinach fettuccine with chicken, red, green and yellow peppers, red onions and fresh cilantro in a tequila-lime and jalapeno cream sauce) was pleasing. We finished the meal with a strawberry-flavoured Speciality Italian Soda (Rs 130) that was a bit too fizzy. But is it worth a visit? Yes, especially if you want to try something different and have a somewhat deep wallet.
{{/usCountry}}With just the right amount of spice, and black beans that were melted into the thin crust, the pizza (black beans, fire-roasted mild chillies, sliced onions, spicy green chillies and Cheddar cheese) was a delight and we were left asking for more. The pasta too (original Spinach fettuccine with chicken, red, green and yellow peppers, red onions and fresh cilantro in a tequila-lime and jalapeno cream sauce) was pleasing. We finished the meal with a strawberry-flavoured Speciality Italian Soda (Rs 130) that was a bit too fizzy. But is it worth a visit? Yes, especially if you want to try something different and have a somewhat deep wallet.
{{/usCountry}}What we like
The friendly staff
The ambience
What we don’t like
The prices
Lack of dessert options
Rating- *** 1/2