I don’t know why that song is stuck in my head. I am weird and I know it. My mom and step dad came in town over the weekend. My mom loves California Pizza Kitchen and was thrilled that they were now offering gluten-free pizza, so we had originally planned on heading there for dinner. However, earlier this week there was a lot of chatter on the net about CPK having some pretty major cross contamination issues. We decided it wasn’t worth the risk and headed to Marcella’s instead.
After having the pizza at Marcella’s several times, I knew it was just as good, if not better than CPK. After we were shown to our table, a manager made his way over to ask if we had any questions about the gluten-free menu. I was super-impressed that he came over to check in with us before I even had a chance to ask to speak with him. Big points! I explained that I had eaten there before and really enjoyed the pizza, but was curious to hear about the kitchen procedures to avoid cross contamination. From the description he gave me – separate everything, including ovens – I felt very comfortable. I went on to ask about the utensils, toppings & sauces and everything is separate, like it should be.
I thanked them for going taking all facets into consideration and went on to tell him why I was asking. I explained the procedures being used in the kitchen at CPK and he was appalled. He continued to check on us throughout our meal to make sure everything was okay. We had the veggie pizza & the shrimp pesto pizza. While both were good, the veggie was outstanding! It was topped with fresh arugula, my favorite! I think that the crust needs the moisture of the veggies to give it some character. I have also had the margherita pizza and it is equally as impressive.
I want to back up for am minute to share the amazing martini that I started my meal out with – it was a strawberry balsamic martini and it was phenomenal!
- Strawberry Balsamic Martini
I don’t normally order any alcoholic drinks other than wine, so this was a nice treat!
Kudos, Marcella’s for taking care of us! Perhaps California Pizza Kitchen could learn a thing or two from you.
My son and me, November 2000. This is before we were gluten-free/diagnosed Celiac.
Wow, glad I read your post, hadn't heard about CPK. The Naked Pizza chain just opened a location by me. My hubs tried a regular pizza and said it was good, so we might try their gf, pricey though it is. I felt a little better after watching a video explaining the prep of their gf pizzas. http://www.nakedpizza.biz/menu (in the right hand side, down a bit) Anyone tried them already and have an opinion? I know as I am longer on gf diet, I seem more sensitive to trace contamination, which is making me even more nervous about eating anything out of home.
Melissa,
I hadn't heard of Naked Pizza, as there aren't any here in Columbus, but I see they are in Cincinnati. I think I will do a write up on them for Celiac-Disease.com – I love the video on preparing GF pizza! All places should go to such lengths to put customers at ease.
Kim
Melissa – Did a write up on Naked Pizza for Celiac-Disease.com for tomorrow.
That sounds delicious! I have never been there but now I want to try it. That drinks SOUNDS phenomenal. Thanks for the review!
The food is fantastic! It is a Cameron Mitchell restaurant and he knows his food, that is for sure!
Now I have that song in my head too!
I'm impressed at a place that takes the care to address special dietary needs. Some places seem like they jump on a bandwagon for different needs without truly understanding them… I imagine that is what CPK is doing.
I want to try that martini!
I know, it is a shame. That martini rocked!
I've never heard of a Strawberry Balsamic Martini! Of course, I want one now.
Since the truth has been revealed about CPK, I cringe every time I see another post on blogs and Facebook, or tweets telling folks, hey, go to CPK, it's gluten free! Not. No CPKs where I am, thankfully. Good to know you have Marcella's! 
Shirley
I posted about the CPK dilemma on Examiner.com today, sharing the knowledge
Thanks, Sue!
I know, I cringe as well. Another bonus for Marcella's – Happy Hour prices (half off) Mon – Fri in the bar area! SCORE! GF pizza for $5? YES, PLEASE!!!
I’ve always loved culinary cocktails. I never went for the sweet drinks…. This one sounds yummy since i eat strawberries with honey and balsamic vinegar. I would never, ever try CPK….So many restaurants are looking at the diet trend, instead of the medical aspect. I have come across a few bad chains here in NJ.
Oooh….strawberries w/honey & balsamic! YUM!
You would think that CPK being a big company could get it right but unfortunately that's probably what the problem is!
Exactly.
Woah, I want to do bad things to that martini (or just drink it, you know, whatever). I'm glad you found good GF pizza. That was always one of the things my stepmom really missed when she followed a GF diet.
LMAO! Sarah – I love you, girl!
[...] that bandwagon without the proper education & training? Who knows. As I was writing about a local pizza place that does things correctly on my own blog, Gluten-Free is Life, I discovered another pizza place, [...]