Autumn is traditionally a season of plenty, and Southern California restaurants are responding with plenty of new menu items. Innovations include a surprising debut at California Pizza Kitchen and a new concept from Lazy Dog Restaurant & Bar.
Here is what is going on at five local full-service chains.
California Pizza Kitchen
The Playa Vista-based chain launched what it calls its first burger on Oct. 4. The West Coast Burger features a blend of wagyu beef, chuck and brisket, served with applewood smoked bacon, cheese and caramelized onions on a brioche bun, according to a news release.
CPK is promoting the burger with a “pizza boycotts.” Dine-in guests who spend more than $20 and order something other than pizza will receive a coupon for a 7-inch pizza that can be redeemed on their next visit. They have to become CPK Rewards members to qualify, and the offer is good for one pizza per check. The promotion lasts through Oct. 31.
Information: cpk.com
Cheesecake Factory
The Calabasas-based chain added more than a dozen items, plus cocktails, to its already long menu early in September.
Appetizers and small plates range from Street Corn, Asparagus Fries and Ahi Poke Nachos to Bee Sting Flatbread Pizza, made with honey. Entrees include Lemon-Herb Parmesan Chicken, Spicy Rigatoni Vodka and Seared Ahi Tuna with ginger fried rice.
Weekend brunch items include Bacon and Avocado Benedict.
Information: thecheesecakefactory.com
Lazy Dog Restaurant & Bar
The Costa Mesa-based chain recently launched a new virtual concept called Roadtrip Bowls.
There are eight entrees with international flare on the Roadtrip menu. They range from a Cheeseburger FryBowl with hamburger and sauce-covered fries to curry chicken and Korean ribeye bibimbap. Bowls are available for delivery or pickup at Lazy Dog locations but will be served in restaurants during lunch hours for a limited time, according to a news release.
The Roadtrip menu also includes fries, onion rings and pickled cucumber salad as well as desserts, handcrafted non-alcoholic beverages and canned craft beers.
Lazy Dog has another virtual concept, Jolene’s Wings & Beer.
Information: lazydogrestaurants.com, roadtripbowls.com, jolenes.com
Norms Restaurants
This Bellflower-based chain is spotlighting game day foods, such as several flavors of chicken wings and St. Louis Cut Ribs.
The breakfast menu features red chile mole served with steak omelets or chorizo breakfast burritos. There are also “Top it Off” Hotcakes, topped with Oreos, strawberries or chocolate chips.
Norms is also promoting 3/4-pound T-bone steaks starting at $15.99. norms.com
Polly’s Pies
This Placentia-based chain is serving half a dozen new items, according to a news release.
Entrees include Grilled Norwegian Salmon; Asian Chicken Salad; Loaded Mac & Cheese with chicken and smoked bacon; and Aunt Tu Tu’s Beef & Bleu, a sandwich on sourdough bread with sliced prime rib topped a house-made blue cheese dressing.
Starters include Southern Pimento Cheese Dip, served with a sliced baguette.
Polly’s has also added IBC Root Beer to its soft drink menu.
Information: pollyspies.com
