California Pizza Kitchen, a national restaurant chain featuring 25 varieties of hearth-baked pizza, will open in Harborplace in downtown Baltimore in early August, Rouse Co. said yesterday.

The casual restaurant, with indoor and outdoor waterfront seating for 155, will move into a 3,700-square-foot spot between the Cheesecake Factory and Wayne's Bar-B-Q in the Pratt Street Pavilion.

The chain has grown to 80 restaurants in 22 states since its founding in Beverly Hills, Calif., in 1985, as part of the California-style pizza craze. It takes credit for inventing BBQ Chicken Pizza and also serves pasta, salads and desserts.

Other Maryland locations include Annapolis and Bethesda.

"Harborplace is a natural extension into the market," said Larry Flax, chairman and co-founder. "We've been looking at Harborplace a long time."

The restaurant is the latest tenant at the popular downtown destination. Owner Rouse is completing a major renovation of the twin waterfront pavilions and unveiling new, remodeled or expanded shops and restaurants.

Pub Date: 5/07/98