My recent visit to California Pizza Kitchen was a letdown, particularly with their new Chicken Tequila Fettuccine. Having not been to CPK in a while, I was excited to try this dish, but it fell short in several ways.

The most significant disappointment was the sauce. It lacked the promised creaminess, instead resembling a thin, watery liquid. The only discernible flavors were an overpowering lime and a faint hint of tequila. The other ingredients, like jalapeños, butter, and heavy cream, were undetectable, leaving the sauce devoid of richness or depth.

The combination of watery sauce with red onions, bell peppers, and cilantro yielded a strange fajita-like experience but with spinach fettuccine. This created a strange textural and flavor combination. Perhaps a thicker, creamier sauce could have tied everything together and elevated the dish.

Perhaps the missing creaminess was a one-time error, but in its current state, the dish falls flat. The unbalanced flavors and watery texture were major drawbacks. It felt like a missed opportunity for a truly unique and flavorful pasta dish. While I might return to CPK for familiar favorites, I won't be revisiting the Chicken Tequila Fettuccine.