What: The newest outpost of The Kitchen’s more casual concept
Where: City Set, 658 South Colorado Blvd in Glendale
When: Open daily 11am-close
Pros: This community pub offers simple, quality favorites in a relaxed atmosphere that still has the special touches of the pricier original like wood floors made from local beetle kill pine. And just like the other Kitchen locations, this new restaurant opened to support The Kitchen’s non-profit, The Kitchen Community, which works to build Learning Gardens in schools nationwide.
Cons: Unlike the original Kitchen restaurants in Boulder and Denver, this is not a special occasion destination. But keep in mind that this concept is all about fast, fresh and affordable food and you won’t be disappointed.
Colorado Boulevard has recently gotten a slew of new restaurants, many of them in the City Set complex where names like Jax Fish House and Udi’s have been drawing big crowds for lunch and happy hour. Now another expanding local favorite, The Kitchen, has joined in with their more casual concept, The Kitchen Next Door. This is the second Next Door location (the first is in Boulder), and it will soon be joined by a third opening later this year in the newly remodeled Union Station.
But there’s something different about this growing name in dining. The Kitchen also runs a non-profit, The Kitchen Community, which works to build interactive gardens in schools. These Learning Gardens, made from modular pieces which can be configured to meet the needs of each individual school, are installed not in the corner of a school’s grounds, but right on the playground as a way to improve kid’s connection to the food they eat. Glendale’s The Kitchen Next Door will be able to support the opening of one learning garden in the community per year. There is even a Learning Garden Kale Salad on the menu, and $2 from every one ordered goes directly to helping with the garden installation costs. Schools interested in applying for a Learning Garden can do so through the non-profit’s website.
Beyond the Kale Salad, the menu at The Kitchen Next Door is pub-inspired with a focus on freshness. There are simple favorites like the Slow Roasted Pork Sandwich and the Next Door Fish & Chips. The Crispy Garlic Smashers, addictive bites of potato served either as a side or an appetizer were a crowd favorite at the opening cocktail party and fundraiser this past Tuesday night. They also feature daily Community Hour specials from 3pm-6pm like the crispy Salt and Pepper Calamari for $4.95 and their classic Next Door Margarita for $3.95. Daily specials offer even more choices to crave like the Friday Lobster Roll and Monday’s Baja Fish Tacos.
Just like 303 Magazine, The original Kitchen in Boulder is also celebrating its 10 year anniversary this year. As part of the celebration, all of the Kitchen restaurants including Glendale will offer a $10 Day on Sunday March 16th. At the Next Door locations, this offer is good for the Two for $10 special, two entrees and two drinks for $10 all day. All proceeds and donations from $10 Day will benefit the planting of Learning Gardens in schools.
This is going to be a big year for The Kitchen. It is expanding locally, but also nationally with another new restaurant opening in Chicago in late 2014. With each new restaurant, a new community hub is born. And Glendale’s new Kitchen Next Door is no exception.
All photos by Caitlin Savage