A (new) pizza the action
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CPK Pizza Oven. Photos: Courtesy of Shirley Huang |
Distinguished by its thin, chewy crust and charcoal markings, authentic wood-fired pizza is still something of a novelty in Shanghai. But the re-opening of California Pizza Kitchen (CPK) today in Sinan Mansions will put this particular treat well and truly back on the city's menu.
The US chain's former incarnation at the Shanghai Center on Nanjing Road closed at the tail end of last year.
What sets the new restaurant apart is that this will be CPK's first ever eatery outside of the US that is directly owned and managed by the company; every other overs operation is a franchise, according to CPK's co-CEO Larry Flax. "We are doing this because we think China offers us great opportunities. We plan to open an additional restaurant in Shanghai next year, followed by several more locations throughout China."
The menu takes you on a tour of the world: from the signature California BBQ Chicken Pizza to the Italian Margherita Pizza and Pepperoni Supremo Pizza; from the China-inspired Roasted Pork Belly Pizza to the Thai Style Chicken Pizza. Almost 20 percent of the dishes on the menu have been adapted to suit local palates. Prices range from 60 yuan ($9) to 90 yuan, making the menu almost 30 percent cheaper than the former franchise CPK in the Shanghai Center. The pricing is part of a new strategy to make the establishment more competitive in the city's already busy restaurant marketplace.
American pies
If you're not too hot on sweet BBQ style toppings then CPK's savory Milan Pizza at 88 yuan comes highly recommended. And if you want to explore something out of the ordinary, try the kitchen's thin-crusted Spicy Seafood Pizza inspired by Sichuan cuisine. As expected, a generous amount of peppers on top gives the dish an extra kick.
The California Kung Pao Spaghetti at 60 yuan is one of the company's biggest sellers in America; in part, no doubt, because of its abundance of fresh seafood toppings and a thick sweet and sour sauce, making it the perfect comfort food for any season. The Lily Bulb Salad at 35 yuan, is a very light concoction made with fresh spinach, lily bulbs, black ear mushrooms, celery and peanuts tossed in a spring onion vinaigrette. This one-off creation will only be available at the Shanghai eatery.
The roast duck salad was a little disappointing, with the meat being too light on flavoring and a little dry. However, the deep fried wonton skin and Thai-inspired seasoning with herbs and nuts went some way to remedying this.
Add: Level 2, No.1, Lane 507 Fuxing Road Middle
Tel: 5465-1410
Price per person: 80 yuan and above for a drink, starter and a half share of a pizza for two
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