Redesigning to dine for

The power of a fresh-from-the-oven pizza is legendary; just the aroma of its mouthwatering flavors wafting through the air can energize any room it finds itself in. But increasingly, restaurants are turning the legend on its head by using luxurious room interiors to boost the pizza dining experience.

“The restaurants ambiance is to dining what hot sauce is to pizza. It gives it that added kick, making each bite more savory and enjoyable,” explains Archie Rodriguez, president of California Pizza Kitchen (CPK) Philippines, the local franchise of the global pizza chain who recently revamped their old store design.

“To improve the look and feel of our restaurants, we patterned our new store design after the restaurants now rolling out in the United States. We ensured that each aesthetic and design detail contributes to the satisfaction of our customers, particularly in how they enjoy our premium menu selections,” adds Rodriguez.

Color and decor

One of the most noticeable changes inside the CPK restaurants is the color scheme. “We made it cozier by shifting from dark shades to earth tones,” says Gina Salazar, senior operations director who is in charge of optimizing branch operations.

The black leather seats of the booth sets were replaced with a twig-like pattern fabric that exudes color and has a more natural feel. The black and gold carpet has also been replaced with polished travertine tiles, which are easier on the eyes and feel very cozy. Even the ceiling was upgraded to a suspended style of solid wood trellis in a stained finish.

“We aimed for the sunny California vibe because eating gastronomic pizzas should feel more like an adventure,” explains Salazar.

Natural lighting

To simulate the bright and airy California atmosphere, sunlight-controlling blinds were installed. Aside from minimizing glare, the blinds also regulate the air conditioned environment inside CPK stores by reflecting the heat of the sun. “With the installation of blinds and the cleaning of our air conditioning ducts, customers don’t have to worry where to sit. They will receive optimal cooling and can focus on savoring our delicious pizza slices,” notes Salazar.

For inquiries on reservation or delivery, call California Pizza Kitchen at 867-2115 to 16 (Glorietta 3), 850-5771 (Cortes de las Palmas, Alabang Town Center), 687-7841 to 42 (Shangri-La Plaza Mall), 725-7377 (Greenhills Promenade), 901-3881 to 82 (Trinoma) and 895-3447 (Power Plant Mall, Rockwell).