When Chattanooga gets a new restaurant, I just know I have to try it. The California Pizza Kitchen in Hamilton Place Mall is an upbeat pizza chain that has creative innovative pizzas. Some of them might sound a bit weird at first, but all the flavors really work well together. This chain has restaurants around the country as well as in other countries.
For appetizers they have many interesting and delicious choices, but the two I tried, I would have liked better if they had been a bit hot. I tried the sesame ginger chicken dumplings, which were served with a mild soy-ginger chili sauce. They were not spicy but had a nice flavor. Another tasty appetizer is the Thai chicken tortilla spring rolls. They are grilled chicken, satay peanut sauce and veggies. They are also served with extra satay peanut sauce for dipping. Each of these appetizers came with six small dumplings or rolls.
Now it's pizza time... The first pizza I tried was the Thai Chicken. On their menu it says it is the original, so I figured I would try it. It is much like the insides of the spring roll appetizer but on a pizza. It was served pretty warm and, although I could have used more toppings, it was a good pick. When I read Pear and Gorgonzola on that menu I knew I had to try it. The Pear and Gorgonzola pizza is caramelized pears, cheeses and hazelnuts on a pizza with the entire thing topped off with a fresh green salad. I know it sounds weird, but when you eat them together they are scrumptious. I have to say that was one of the best and most original pizzas I have ever had.
Or course, for the picky eater – the ever popular cheese pizza is available. All in all, I think I will be planning another visit to the California Pizza Kitchen to sample some of their other fare.
(Priya Boyington, 13, is a Chattanoogan who has her own web site for restaurant reviews
Teen Gourmet )