Boris M.
Yelp
California Pizza Kitchen at Riverside Plaza is a solid choice in this busy shopping and dining area close to the 91, which also features a theatre and lots of other dining options.
After a fun day at the pool, we were in the mood for pizza, and California Pizza Kitchen is always a reliable spot for a laid-back Sunday afternoon. It can get pretty busy, so either make a reservation or be prepared to wait. We had a 20-minute wait, which we used to explore the plaza.
The atmosphere is welcoming and casual, though the service can be hit or miss, as the staff sometimes seems stretched thin. We ordered three pizzas: the Wild Mushroom (shaved Cremini mushrooms, extra virgin olive oil, fresh garlic, with Romano & Mozzarella, slivered scallions, and cracked black pepper) on a gluten-free cauliflower crust; the Mushroom Pepperoni Sausage (Cremini mushrooms, rustic pepperoni, spicy Italian sausage, fresh basil, Mozzarella, and wild Greek oregano); and the Sicilian (spicy marinara, Italian sausage, Capicola ham, pepperoni, Mozzarella, shaved Parmesan, fresh basil, and wild Greek oregano) on crispy thin crust.
All the pizzas were flavorful and well-balanced, with the thin crusts providing a nice crunch. If you're in the mood for a casual night out and don't mind dining at a chain, California Pizza Kitchen is a reliable, tasty option. However, the service takes off a star.