I met up with my friend Lauren for dinner on Monday night. Our original plan was to try out Wilde & Greene, a natural market and restaurant up in Skokie at the Old Orchard mall. We walked around for a bit and while it looked nice, there was nothing that really grabbed our eye. So we decided to forgo something new in favor of an old standby: California Pizza Kitchen.
You really can’t go wrong with CPK. I used to go there nearly every weekend of high school with my friends Alexandra and Mary back in Minnesota, and several times with my friend Caitlin during college. I almost always ordered the pepperoni pizza or barbecue chicken salad, respectively.
Ironically, CPK had an updated menu this time around, so the old standby quickly gave way to a new favorite: Quinoa and Arugula Salad.
This was amazing. Quinoa and arugula combined with red onion, sun-dried tomatoes, asparagus, toasted pine nuts and feta. It was tossed in a homemade champagne vinaigrette but was not drowning in dressing (I’m looking at you, Cheesecake Factory).
I couldn’t resist ordering the wine they recommended: a Chateau Ste. Michelle Riesling. It was definitely on the sweet side, but was very refreshing as we dined al fresco on a sunny evening.
When the waitress came by and asked us if we wanted dessert, I decided the “new favorite” trend should continue with their strawberry shortcake. One thing to know about me is that if there is ever a strawberry shortcake served with biscuits on the menu (as opposed to pound cake), I will order it. I blame Mama Bender – yet another high school tradition.
The biscuits and strawberries were the best part by far. I wasn’t as big of a fan of the whipped cream and candied lemon zest. Perhaps those should have been replaced with ice cream. Next time.
“Eye” had a great time hanging out with Lauren, as always. She even became the subject of my #PhotoADayJune: close-up. For all you iPhone photography addicts (ahem), I highly recommend the Camera+ app. Totally worth the 99 cents because it really makes your photos pop.
Although in this case, I think Lauren’s blue eyes pop all on their own!
Thanks for letting me stick my phone in your face. 😉
I’ve got a running update coming. There are just four days until showtime and I’m not a big fan of the 90 degrees and sunny forecast given my track record with warm weather runs. Here’s hoping a cloud or two will drift in unexpectedly!
Do you have any “old favorite” restaurants that you turn to again and again?
Abrazos,
You’re going to rock it! I will be cheering you on from afar! That salad looks totally delicious. I always get stuck on certain dishes at restaurants- nothing wrong!
Thank you, Erica!!
I used to love CPK too – haven’t been there in ages! My other old standby was Rubios (Mexican, not sure if it’s in the Midwest), but as you know my new fav is Pannikin 🙂 Excited to hear how the race goes!
I’ve seen Rubios in Arizona but have never been! Although I would take Pannikin any day. 🙂
wow! Her eye is so pretty! I’ve never been to CPK, but your dinner looks pretty tasty!
I couldn’t believe all the colors that came out of her blue eye – so cool!
I’m so impressed that CPK has a quinoa salad, yum!
I was, too! So delicious!
That salad looks incredible!!!
It was sooo tasty! I wish I had one now!
Great eye pic! Our stand by is a juice bar half an hour away (I keppe taking him in hopes he’ll buy me a vitamix) this weeks concoction was nasty!
Thanks, Joy! I hope that you will get that Vita-Mix soon. 🙂
LOVE CPK! Although I always go with the Hawaiian pizza on thin crust. Yummm!
My current “go-to” restaurant is Ingredient. Do you have those? I’m not sure how local they are…
Yum! I love Hawaiian pizza. I might have to get that next time! I don’t think we have Ingredient near us, but I love the name!
Wow that’s such an awesome photo!! And I love CPK! Yum : )
Thanks, Caroline!!
It all looks so yummy.
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Wow, that is an incredible picture of her eye! I love that she let you do that, too. 🙂 I love that CPK- I go there a little too often, actually. Have you ever ordered their hummus appetizer? The pita it comes with is freakin’ amazing.
I’ve never ordered the hummus appetizer – I need to correct that next time, especially if the pita is amazing! The best part, IMHO. 🙂
I love that she let you do that, too. Thanks for the mouthwatering post. I am craving with the berries.
I’ve never had Strawberry Shortcake on a biscuit….but now I want one. Good luck on your run!
Oh my…I highly recommend trying it if you ever come across it!! Thanks, Chelsea!
That salad looks awesome and totally doable to make at home. Inspired! Good luck on your race! Just do your best, that’s all you can do.
Thank you, Val! That’s really great advice. 🙂