Checking Out The Newly Renovated California Pizza Kitchen In Valley Fair

Posted on by February 4, 2014

I received a complimentary dinner at CPK to facilitate this write-up. Regardless, thoughts are my own.

I’ve been wanting to go back to a California Pizza Kitchen resto for quite a while now. But because of my husband’s crazy busy work schedule, we couldn’t find a lot of time to go to the mall and just stroll around and eat out. But we finally got a chance to visit the newly renovated CPK resto at Westfield Valley Fair in Santa Clara last week. It features a complete interior redesign, new hand-tossed California-style pizzas and innovative, California-themed cocktail and wine selections.

CPK Outside

Newly-renovated California Pizza Kitchen in Westfield Valley Fair Santa Clara, CA (entrance from outside the mall)

CPK Mall Entrance

Newly-renovated California Pizza Kitchen in Westfield Valley Fair Santa Clara, CA (entrance from inside the mall)

The 4,758 square foot Valley Fair CPK now seats 171 guests in a redesigned space. As we entered the restaurant, I quickly noticed how warm the ambience felt because of the colors and the lighting. California’s environmental roots are evident in the use of unfinished, reclaimed wood both inside and outside of the restaurant, offering a casual but refined feel. LED lighting is used throughout the area.

CPK Renovated

They also have a 538 square foot patio which seats 35 people. CPK’s traditional pizza counter, which seats 12, has been redesigned to make the hearth an even bigger focal point, giving guests the opportunity to see and interact with the Pizza Chefs and watch them as they hand-stretch and toss California Pizza Kitchen’s new hand-tossed pizza dough.

I was given the opportunity to check out a part of their kitchen where the chefs hand-toss the pizza doughs. I also saw the machine that presses the dough for thin crust pizzas. It was cool to see how things are from the other side of the bar.

CPK’s reimagined menu features a wide selection of signature flatbreads with new ingredients and flavor combinations, including a new spicy fennel sausage, two different types of pepperoni, fresh mozzarella, hand crumbled wild Greek oregano, freshly torn basil and more. And when dinner time came, they recommended the Bianco flatbread so we decided to try it out. It was so good! I even forgot to take a photo of the flatbread when it was first placed on our table because I got so excited to taste it.

CPK Flatbread

Bianco Flatbread

Our server recommended the Chicken Tequila Fettuccine when I asked her for suggestions. I was hesitant at first because it had “tequila” on the name. But I checked the description and it didn’t say anything about any type of alcohol in the ingredients so we decided to give it a try. And I’m glad we did. I was pleasantly surprised that I actually liked something other than pasta with alfredo or marinara sauce.

CPK Pasta

California Pizza Kitchen’s Chicken Tequila Fettuccine

For our pizza order, we decided to go for my husband’s all-time favorite — the Hawaiian pizza. We loved how big the ham and the pineapple slices were in this pizza! And even the crust was really good.

CPK Hawaiian Pizza

California Pizza Kitchen’s Hand-Tossed Hawaiian Pizza

They also have a decadent butter cake that just tastes so heavenly especially because the cake itself is so warm and it’s topped with a really delicious scoop of vanilla ice cream.

CPK Butter Cake

California Pizza Kitchen’s Butter Cake

Do you have a California Pizza Kitchen near you? Just enter your zip code on the upper right corner of the CPK website to find the nearest one! I suggest you give them a visit, check out their new menu items and see (and taste) them all for yourself! You won’t regret it! You might even thank me for suggesting it! 🙂

CONNECT WITH California Pizza Kitchen!

Follow CPK on Twitter @calpizzakitchen, like them on Facebook and stay connected through Instagram.

NOW FOR A GIVEAWAY!!! We’re giving away a CPK gift certificate!

Get a chance to win a dinner for 2 (gift certificate valued at $60) at CPK! Click here to enter!

 

I received a complimentary dinner at CPK to facilitate this write-up. Regardless, thoughts are my own.

More from my blog:

Comments

Checking Out The Newly Renovated California Pizza Kitchen In Valley Fair — 59 Comments

  1. I’ve never seen a California Pizza Kitchen. Such a pretty place and that food looks amazing! Now I’m really hungry lol.

  3. Wow! I did not know that this was an actual Pizza Kitchen. I just thought they were a brand of Frozen Pizza. That’s cool. I wonder if there are any in Michigan. Google?

  5. This is where my hubby & I are going for Valentine’s dinner. I am a reward’s member and we can share an appetizer (choice between four), each choose an entree from a choice of one each of: (three different salads, four different pizzas, or three different pastas), plus share a dessert (choice between four – one of which is my favorite the butter cake) ALL for $30. Nice deal, yes? It is going on Feb 2-12/16. So, we decided to go either next Wed or Thurs to avoid the crowd of the weekend and enjoy a nice dinner.

  7. It’s been a long time since I’ve been there — your review makes me want to go back! SOON!
    Digicats {at} Sbcglobal {dot} Net

  8. I’ve never been there before. But the restaurant looks beautiful and the food looks amazing! That Butter Cake…holy moly!!

  9. I have always wanted to eat here and I actually have one nearby! Their food looks so good. Thank you for this review..

  13. We used to live pretty close to a CPK that was in our mall, so we went there every once in a while, it has been years since I have been to one, but I think the hubby and I need to schedule a date night for sure!

  15. The food looks amazing. I love the fresh herb garden in the restaurant. I want one in my house.

  18. Wow. That place it is really nice. They did a good job with the renovation and the food looks delicious.

  21. WoW! That looks like an upscale restaurant! I have never ate here before but after looking at all the delicious looking dishes you posted I definitely want to now!

  25. WOW, you have given a very impressive review! I LOVE how you have so many pics posted. California Pizza is an item I buy in the grocery store and I didn’t know they had locations with take-out food. Thanks to your post, I will now check them out!

  26. We have a CPK at our local mall, but we have never been there. Your pictures make it look amazing, and I think it is somewhere I am going to have to visit here very soon!!

  27. There is one really close to my house, me and my hubby always end up going there!!! Favorite place, recommend their avocado rolls and there tiramisu cake yummy!!!!

  28. The restaurant looks so great. Looks like a family place but also good for business also. The food looks and sounds amazing.. Have heard so many great things about CPK… Thanks!

  29. I haven’t been to CPK in a little while and your review definitely makes me want to go back real soon. I have never ordered anything there was wasn’t incredible!

  30. We have eaten there before and they have some of the best pizza around. Just a nice place overall!

  36. Wow!! Been going to the old CPK in Valleyfair for years but moved away to go to college. The newly renovated place looks awesome.

  37. nice review.. i love cpk. i only wish they would bring back their crabcakes they discontinued from their menu a few yrs ago. i have had a lot of crab cakes and theirs were ace!!!

  43. We don’t have one in our area but we are traveling to an area where they do have them and I look forward to visiting it. The dessert looks great

  45. I love CPK. We have one at our local mall. Perfect to indulge after a long day of shopping lol

  48. I did not know the CPK had “reimagined” their menu. I have not been there for a bit, but looking at your pictures made by mouth drool! I think its time to go back and especially enjoy the dessert… thanks for reawakening my love for CPK!

  49. I did not know the CPK had “reimagined” their menu. I have not been there for a bit, but looking at your pictures made by mouth drool! I think its time to go back and especially enjoy the dessert… thanks for reawakening my love for CPK!

  51. I have not been to a California Pizza Kitchen in forever. You are making me hungry for one!

  55. Sounds good! This (and the fact that we got 18+” of snow last night) makes me wish I was in California!

  57. I love good food and wait staff that are friendly and helpful. I also like a place that offers several foods.