"We're always evolving, always finding ways to bring something new and different to the consumer," says Smashburger founder Tom Ryan, whose follow-up to that smash success, Live Basil Pizza, will open today in Glendale, making it the third Live Basil outpost to open in Denver -- and the fourth in the nation, following its first foray into Los Angeles two weeks ago.
See also: Exclusive first look: Live Basil Pizza opens Thursday in south Denver
And while the Glendale location is similar to Ryan's first Live Basil, which opened at Hampden and I-25 last year, there are marked differences, especially in the design scheme. "We incorporated a new decor package into this location -- a more modern, warmer, richer and sturdier look with beetlekill pine and marble tables, caramel stools and two-tone caramel leather banquettes," says Ryan, noting that the color palette will continue to extend to his other locations, the next of which will be in Stapleton; Ryan is eyeing a location in Lakewood, too.
The menu, which favors hydroponic basil -- Live Basil's signature herb -- and what Ryan calls "organic, all-natural, authentic, imported, or live ingredients," will, he says, remain true to that mantra. "The pizzas look and taste great, and they're integrated with quality, integrity and wholesomeness," he says. Still, adds Ryan, "We're always asking ourselves how we can continue to bring great tasting options to our guests, and starting with this location, our chefs, Andrew Selvaggio and Jason Dowd, are introducing the first in a series of chef picked pizzas -- a monthly blackboard pizza special that's inherently short-lived and makes use of fresh, local, all-natural, organic or imported ingredients."
February's special is a four-mushroom pizza crowned with organic button, oyster, cremini and cinnamon top mushrooms, all of which were procured from Hazel Dell, in Fort Collins. "We're giving our chefs the challenge of creating a pipeline of ideas and the opportunity to find cool local producers or, conversely, great imported ingredients, and we'll feature the blackboard special until the end of the month, or we run out of ingredients, whichever comes first," explains Ryan. "
Live Basil opens today at 11 a.m., and regular hours will be 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week. Here's a first peek at the space.
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