Sneak peek California Pizza Kitchen offers good, pricy food

I had the opportunity to visit a new restaurant at Ross Park Mall before it officially opened to the public.

Nestled alongside L.L. Bean and the Cheesecake Factory is California Pizza Kitchen, a Beverly Hills-founded chain restaurant.

It was an invite-only event one night before their grand opening, and it seemed staff members were well prepared for the big day to come. Two friends and I met there for dinner.

I’m familiar with California Pizza Kitchen’s grocery store line of frozen foods and have enjoyed them, but never have been into an actual restaurant in the chain. Until now.

The place seems a bit small and lacks much decor, but it keeps with the California style, even with the restaurant’s earth tone colors. It really has an open floor plan — nearly every table can see the televisions at the bar. The place was packed, but not loud at all, which was great.

So, what did we eat?

For an appetizer, we had spinach artichoke dip that tasted better than almost any other restaurant I remembered. Even the chips were extremely tasty — something a lot of restaurants have issues with.

There were limitations to what we could order, so the three of us opted to each get a pizza and share. We ordered buffalo chicken, tostada and goat cheese with roasted peppers.

My favorite was the buffalo chicken pizza, which offered a great spicy kick. It could have used a bit more chicken, but the amount it had was fine. The presentation of the buffalo chicken was great.

The tostada pizza was good, and the salsa dip that accompanied it tasted great, especially following a slice of the spicy buffalo chicken pizza. Each slice was filled with toppings.

Like the previous two, the goat cheese and roasted peppers pizza was good. This pizza also was filled with toppings.

Obviously, all the pizzas were on a thin crust, which was good, except some pieces did fall apart easily.

Each pizza wasn’t large — maybe six slices each? And each slice wasn’t terribly big, which can be a good thing!

None of the pizzas seemed out of this world, though. There’s a lot of hype over California Pizza Kitchen, but at the end of the meal, you realize that it’s just another pizza. Sure, the variety of pizza offerings differs from your local pizza joint, but I’m not sure California Pizza Kitchen lands in the “top five slices” category.

While the meal was free, the server did bring the bill over — our meal would have cost $72 and some change.

We ordered: an appetizer, three pizzas, four beers, a Pepsi, a Diet Pepsi and a slice of tiramisu for dessert.

The menu didn’t offer individual prices and I can’t seem to find them online, either, but $72 for three people is a bit much for pizza.

I’d love to see the restaurant add prices to its online and in-store menus.

The place certainly has potential, and no doubt will have long lines for the next several months as Pittsburghers flock to it. If I’m at Ross Park Mall, I’d certainly go back. I’m not sure I’d make it a destination visit, but if I’m in the area, I’d certainly consider dining there.

Fighting back against cancer offers hope

While I’ve never heard the words, “You have cancer,” I know how devastating they can be.

On Saturday, more than 3,000 people — many dressed in pink from head to toe — gathered near Heinz Field to fight back against breast cancer and help to eliminate that dreaded phrase.

It was Pittsburgh’s first American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer event, and it raised about $150,000 for research, education and survivor programs, such as the organization’s “Look Good…Feel Better” service that provides wigs and makeup tips to survivors.

I was among those who made a pledge to fight breast cancer, sans much pink attire.

Roars of applause for mothers, grandmothers, co-workers and friends could be heard across the North Side as I walked with fellow members of the Trib Total Media team.

I had the chance to talk with some survivors who were surrounded by loved ones. The women all seemed honored by the support offered to them — even from complete strangers.

But as I’ve learned in the nearly 14 years I’ve spent volunteering for the American Cancer Society, those affected by cancer are not strangers. Anybody touched by cancer instantly can relate — whether through their own battle or watching someone they love fight.

WPXI-TV anchor Peggy Finnegan and reporter Timyka Artist were among those participating as survivors. Each shared their story and offered a message of hope to other survivors.

More than 192,000 new cases of breast cancer were expected last year, and more than 40,000 women were expected to die from breast cancer, according to information from the American Cancer Society.

But those numbers didn’t matter to the throngs of people taking part in the event.

It was the second time this month I was part of such an inspirational and emotional group. Earlier this month, I spent three days in Lancaster, Pa., for the annual state Relay For Life conference, where I met hundreds of survivors and caregivers.

There’s no doubt cancer has touched almost everybody’s life in one way or another, but millions of survivors, caregivers, researchers and volunteers know that through hope anything can be accomplished.

 

Remembering B94 [10/05/07]

B94 v2.0 would have turned three years old today.

I remember everything about that afternoon, and still listen to the station’s awesome introduction.

At 4:50 p.m. Friday, I slipped slipped out of the office and into the car. For the next 10 minutes, it was nothing but a nervous reaction, listening to “Last Christmas.”

Would it B? Or would it not B? That was the question.

Slowly, the Christmas carols stopped and a buzzing noise was heard. Then, an introduction to the new station began by describing what the channel has been, beginning in 1981.

And then, yinzers… a voice proudly announced that, after three years away…B94 is back!!!!!!!!!!

I had tears. Kid you not.

A little piece of me died in 2004 when B94 stopped buzzing. Hell, when it became BZZ and all that crap, a lot of me died.

And, within a few minutes… 93.7 brought “sexy back” to Pittsburgh.

Everyone who has ever lived in Pittsburgh knows what B94 is. Everyone in Pittsburgh can sing “John, Dave, Bubba and Shelly, John, Dave, Bubba and Shelly.”

The voice of B94 proudly said, “Pittsburgh, please welcome home your B94!”

But B94 is gone, taken away by corporate giants.

I’ll always hold a special place for B94 and everybody who made it a success.

Pitts_urgh.

Summer to-do list stays mostly unchecked

While en route to a seven-hour getaway to Erie on Labor Day, a friend sent me one of those e-cards that made me stop and think about my summer.

“Labor Day is a great opportunity to reflect on what you failed to accomplish this summer,” the e-card said.

At first, I couldn’t help but laugh. Then I realized how spot on its message was.

In the spring, I wrote out a list of about 20 things I wanted to accomplish before Labor Day — the popular, yet unofficial end to all things summer.

Recalling that list was depressing.

I never got around to painting my bedroom like I planned. It seemed every weekend I planned to paint, something came up.

Tried planning a trip to Cedar Point — that never happened.

Attempted to plan a weekend or two to Erie. Aside from the quick trip in early September, that also never happen.

Also unchecked on my sad summer wish list was a night of miniature golf.

It seemed that life got the best of me this summer, leaving my list mostly unmarked and forgotten.

May turned to June, then July, and before I knew it, August was gone and Labor Day had forced itself around again.

I managed to cram a bit of fun into the summer, though. There was a four-day trip in July to Houston where I found the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico to be comforting.

Still, though, other friends talked of exciting vacations to the Carolinas, Europe, Canada, California, Florida and a multitude of amusement parks.

Seeing these jet setters upload to Facebook hundreds of photos of beaches, pools and parks allowed me to live vicariously through them.

Even a friend’s visit to Cleveland had me envious that they were able to find a summer retreat.

If there’s anything good out of this, at least I don’t have to plan next summer’s list.