Gluten Free Dining at California Pizza Kitchen in Solana Beach

Gluten free pizza and other delicious gluten free entrees are “what’s cooking” at California Pizza Kitchen restaurant in Solana Beach, CA.   California Pizza Kitchen in Solana Beach is located near some of the best beaches and surfing in the San Diego area. The restaurant is usually crowded with an eclectic variety of families, locals and the beach and surf crowd. The popular eatery is a well known franchise which recently introduced a gluten free menu. The gluten free menu has over 30 different varieties of gluten free pizza and other entrees. Selections range from habanero carnitas pizza, bacon, lettuce and tomato pizza, BBQ chicken and more. There is also a savory gluten free tortilla soup, gluten free salads, like Moroccan chicken and appetizers. For those who are still hungry, there are gluten free hot fudge and caramel ice cream sundae desserts. In addition, there is gluten free children’s menu with entrees like grilled chicken and M & M candy ice cream. The restaurant is welcoming with its modern decor, low lighting, genre paintings and cozy, art deco booths and tables. Customers may eat in the bar or the dining area. In Solana Beach, there is an outdoor patio with heat lamps for diners who want to sit outside and enjoy the beautiful, Southern California weather.

                I visited California Pizza Kitchen in Solana Beach with a group of five people in July. I was the only person in the group with gluten intolerance.  I felt comfortable being gluten intolerant as the waiter was knowledgeable about safe, gluten free food preparation. He also helped me to identify the gluten free menu items. I ordered a gluten free four cheese pizza, roasted vegetable salad, and a gluten free guacamole and corn tortilla appetizer. The pizza crust was thin and crispy just like regular pizza crust. My non gluten intolerant dinner companions sampled the four cheese pizza. They could not taste the difference between my gluten free pizza and their regular pizzas. The roasted vegetable salad, a mixture of warm sauteed artichoke hearts, sun dried tomatoes, asparagus, and eggplant on a bed of lettuce with gluten free Dijon vinaigrette dressing was delectable. The group shared an order of gluten free white corn guacamole and chips which included a large plate of corn and avocado guacamole dip and tangy spices with white corn chips. At California Pizza Kitchen, the food is delicious, and the service is excellent. The staff makes an extra effort to assist customers with food allergies.

                The gluten free menu is a welcome addition to California Pizza Kitchen. The restaurant is a pizza lover’s dream. Now because of the restaurant’s gluten free menu, even gluten intolerant and celiac customers can enjoy the restaurant's flavorful pizzas. Because of the combination of gluten free menu items and service, I visited California Pizza Kitchen several times on my San Diego vacation.

A Review of Healthy Creations in Encinitas, CA

     Healthy Creations is a gluten free bakery and catering establishment in Encinitas, CA that is worth visiting. The healthy bakery and café offers a mouth- watering selection of gluten free sandwiches, wraps, salads and bakery items. The catering menu has an impressive array of pastas like gluten free, baked ravioli in cheese sauce and vegetables. Dairy free  menu modifications are available for customers with lactose intolerance. 

     Dining at Healthy Creations is a delightful experience. As customers enter the cafe, they are greeted with a display case full of sumptuous, gluten free baked goods including mock hostess cupcakes, brownies, chocolate chip cookies, cakes and breads. The interior is simple and comfortable with two small, round metal tables. Customers may eat in the cafe or order sandwiches or catered items to go from the gluten free kitchen. The store also sells frozen foods including gluten free donuts, breads and waffles. There is also a selection of gluten free cereals, crackers and pastas.

     Altogether, Healthy Creations is a friendly, stress free environment. I arrived for lunch at approximately 2:30 in the afternoon with my adult son. We ordered the gluten free California Wrap. It was a delightful blend of sautéed strips of tofu with avocado; tomatoes, sun dried tomato aioli and Havarti cheese. My son had the non vegetarian version of the California wrap with grilled chicken. We were both pleased with our entrees. We also sampled the gluten free Thai peanut tofu, a marvelous blend of shredded tofu, peanuts, lettuce, carrots, and cucumber on a gluten free wrap with Thai sauce. The entree is also available with chicken for non vegetarians. For dessert, we shared a gluten free chocolate cupcake. The texture was light and not too heavy, and the taste was rich and chocolaty.  It reminded me of the chocolate cupcakes I enjoyed as a child. At Healthy Creations, the food is excellent, and the prices are reasonable. The store’s staff is friendly and knowledgeable about celiac disease and gluten intolerance.  For an excellent sandwich, wrap, salad, or catered meal visit Healthy Creations on Camino Real in Encinitas, CA.