Exclusive first look: Live Basil Pizza opens Thursday in south Denver

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All photos by Lori Midson.

Tom Ryan and his partner Rick Schaden are on a roll -- a burger roll, a 24/7 restaurant roll and a pizza roll. The two men, both of whom are the entrepreneurial brains behind Consumer Concept Group, one of the country's top companies in the field of restaurant development and investment, founded Smashburger, which now trumpets more than 220 locations across the world, including 22 in Colorado. Last year, on Halloween, they unleashed Tom's Urban 24, a 24/7 food temple that's also expanding outside of Colorado, and on Thursday of this week, Ryan and Schaden will open Live Basil Pizza, their first fast-casual pizza chain, located just off I-25 and Hampden...and conveniently next door to Smashburger.

See also:
- The man behind that smash hit, Smashburger
- First look: Smashburger unveils new design concept
- Exclusive first look: Tom's Urban 24 opens on Halloween

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The Matador gets its liquor license -- and could soon be pouring tequila on West 32nd Avenue

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Danielle Lirette
The former home of Heidi's Deli.
The Matador is moving into the original home of Heidi's Deli, at 3496 West 32nd Avenue. But not as quickly as it had wanted to. Initially, the Seattle-based Tex-Mex chain had hoped to open its eighth location (there are four in the Seattle area, two in Portland and one in Boise) by Cinco de Mayo -- a perfect date to roll out its more than 100 varieties of tequila. But that was before the Highland Mommies started complaining that the area already had enough Mexican restaurants (El Camino is just two blocks away, Pinche Taqueria three) not to mention enough liquor licenses. (Heidi's did not have one.) And the West Highlands Neighborhood Association officially opposed the liquor-license application.

See also:
- Last Call at the original Heidi's in West Denver
- The Highland Mommies are raising babies and raising Cain in northwest Denver
- Common Grounds will pour its last cup of coffee at original location


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First look: Jimmy's Urban Bar & Grill opens in LoDo

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You likely won't notice that the front door of Jimmy's Urban Bar & Grill slants, if only a little. It has something to do with luck -- good luck -- and Alicia Bernat, along with her husband Jim and their son and exec chef Jimmy, deliberately designed their new namesake restaurant with teases of feng shui: copper and metal elements are strategically placed among the televisions, while earth tones, the color of warm spices, brush the walls showcasing original art from local artists, which, by the way, is all for sale -- and every dime of what's sold goes directly to to the artist.

See also:
- Killer Cuisine & Cocktails" coming to 1500 block of Blake Street
- TD's Dogs dries up downtown
- Pouring craft beer, pulling Strings: Our restaurant roll call for April

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Exclusive first look: Pizza Republica opens tomorrow in the downtown theater district

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All photos by Lori Midson.
Pizza palaces, as we reported earlier today, are peppered throughout the downtown Denver restaurant landscape, and while some of those same pizzerias that opened within the past year have since shuttered, Pizza Republica, the original of which resides in the Landmark development in Greenwood Village, has proven that it has staying power (not an easy feat in the 'burbs). And tomorrow, at 11 a.m. owner and executive chef George Eder will open a second outpost of Pizza Republica at 890 14th Street, directly next door to the Colorado Convention Center, and given its prime location (and what may the city's best patio to date), we're willing to bet that downtown denizens will greedily chew it up (and not spit it out).

See also:
- Round two with George Eder, exec chef of Pizza Republica
- Pizza Republica's George Eder on grubs, Groupons and the guest who was aghast
- Toppings is tapped out in LoDo, but two more pizza places coming


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Photos: the sweet smells -- and tastes -- of the Colorado Chocolate Festival

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All photos by Lori Midson.

I'm officially a few pounds heavier today -- and it's not because of my Mother's Day stomach crush at Paxia (which was excellent, by the way). No, today's increase in poundage has everything to do with chocolate, namely the Colorado Chocolate Festival, which took place over the weekend at the Denver Merchandise Mart. More than seventy chocolate purveyors from across the country sent spectators and samplers into sugar euphoria, including me and Westword arts editor Susan Froyd, who were tasked with judging the best of the best: chocolate truffles, chocolate spheres, chocolate toffee and more. Herewith, photos of the sweetest highlights.

See also:
- The Kitchen Denver whips up the Chocolate Nemesis -- and you can, too
- Best Chocolates - 2013 Black Star Chocolates
- Sweet Scenes from the Colorado Chocolate Festival


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Photos: Single Malt and Scotch Whisky Extravaganza at the Brown Palace

Categories: Photos

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All photos by Christopher Morgan.
The Single Malt and Scotch Whiskey Extravaganza is visiting thirteen major markets around the country this year. Last night, it was Denver's turn, when the event poured out the love -- and the booze -- at the Brown Palace. Photographer Christopher Morgan was there; keep reading to get a look at the night's liquid assets.

See also:
- Slide show: Single Malt and Scotch Whisky Extravaganza
- Denver's five best historic watering holes
- Woody Creek Distillers takes spirits to another level in Basalt


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Photos: Blake Street Tavern opens Underground Social -- let the games begin!

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All photos by Danielle Lirette
When Blake Street Tavern moved a block down Blake Street three years ago, it took over a big space with a great view of the Ballpark neighborhood -- and a really big basement. After several attempts to brand that underground area, it looks like Blake Street has finally come up with a winner: Underground Social, an interactive game area that hosts a public grand opening tomorrow from 3 p.m. to 2 a.m.

See also:
- Best Sports Bar for Playing Games 2013: Blake Street Tavern
- Blake Street Tavern opening new interactive game room
- Blake Street Tavern reopens in a new space -- just a block away from the old space


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Photos: Pinche Taqueria Highland rolls out new salsas and tacos

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All photos by Kate Gibbons.
What do Madhava honey, a vegan history lesson and "liquid fire" have in common? They can all be found on Pinche Taqueria's updated menu.

On a slightly overcast Monday afternoon, Kevin Morrison, chef-owner of Pinche Taqueria, gathered his staff around the communal table at the new Highland location to sample his new creations -- and we were lucky enough to be invited. Check out the new dishes on the following page.

See also:
- Round two with Kevin Morrison, exec chef-owner of Pinche Taqueria
- Kevin Morrison opening a second Pinche Taqueria in Highland
- Kevin Morrison, exec chef-owner of Pinche Taqueria, on learning enough to move on


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Photos: The Classic Tavern takes over Local Bar@Highland

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All photos by Danielle Lirette
After decades as the Arabian Bar, the classic dive at 3360 Navajo Street closed last fall and was given a facelift by Barry Zadikoff, owner of Barry's on Broadway, who opened it as Local Bar@Highland in January. But the concept was short-lived: The space was recently sold to the Little Pub group, which did a few renovations and just reopened it as the Classic Tavern. The new owners hope to provide the LoHi neighborhood with a hangout that has the same dive-bar vibe as the Arabian (the mural on the exterior is a tribute to that spot); while there's no kitchen, the bar plans to serve frozen pizzas in the near future.

Danielle Lirette stopped in to see the new/old watering hole; keep reading for a look at the space.

See also:
- Local Bar @ Highland now open in former Arabian Bar space
- Barry's@Highlands moves into former Arabian Bar space
- LoHi goes from 22 bars and restaurants to 55 -- in just six years


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Industry Denver's Kentucky Derby supper a winner for Share Our Strength's No Kid Hungry

Categories: Photos

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All photos by Lori Midson.
No matter what horse won the Kentucky Derby, everyone who attended Industry Denver's benefit for Colorado Share Our Strength's No Kid Hungry campaign on Saturday came out a winner. The event included a three-course, Kentucky-style supper and paired cocktails, prepared by Matt Selby of Corner House, Jensen Cummings from Slotted Spoon, Courtney Wilson of Old Major and other top-notch local chefs and mixologists.

See also:
- Slide show: Industry Denver's Kentucky Derby party
- First look: The Slotted Spoon Meatball Eatery opens
- Paul Attardi steps in at Old Major, replacing Jonathan Greschler


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