California Pizza Kitchen is big on Small Cravings

White corn guacamole and chips from CPK's Small Cravings menu

Sometimes, even at restaurants with well-stocked menus, you just want to snack. A lot. And kudos to the kid-friendly California Pizza Kitchen for dipping their chips into that concept.

A few weeks ago, CC, Ian and I -- along with other mom bloggers -- had the opportunity to stop by CPK to try out their new Small Cravings menu (they also have a new Wine Cravings menu that offers half-glasses, but it was the afternoon, and raining, and, well, we did have to get home in one piece. Next time, though.)

The offerings, which include my favorites White Corn Guacamole and Chips (above), Sweet Corn Tamale and Ravioli and Crispy Artichoke Hearts, are smaller than CPK's regular appetizer plates and range in price from $3.99-$6.49.

And I'm going to put "small" in quotes. These actually seemed to be the perfect appetizer size, instead of a plate that looks as if it's an entire meal. And because they looked so manageable, there was an incentive to order more and share, a la tapas.

Having created the new menu to encourage guests to explore CPK offerings, Rick Rosenfield and Larry Flax, co-founders and co-CEOs of California Pizza Kitchen, also added: "We thought moms would enjoy the variety and value in our new Small Cravings."

CC, of course, was more picky than Ian or me. She stuck to the white corn guacamole, when she wasn't trying to rearrange all the salt and pepper shakers on nearby tables.

And that's really the main thing -- going to a family-friendly restaurant where kids are welcome is a definite plus. And when you don't have to sit down to a complete meal -- because you don't have time, or you don't want to spend the money -- that's even better.