MARSHALL - A hot new Italian restaurant is opening tonight in Marshall, appropriately enough called Trattoria Caldo, which means literally "hot restaurant."
The restaurant is a project of the Southwest Minnesota State University culinology department and every aspect is managed by students, under the supervision of Associate Professor of Culinology Kurt Struwe.
Struwe first opened a student-run restaurant four years ago.
"We've always done the Green Bistro, a French-style restaurant," Struwe said. "I changed it to this concept because I thought Marshall would enjoy Italian. Good food, good fun, for a good price."
Last Wednesday students hosted SMSU employees for the soft opening to show the university's appreciation and get any problems worked out before the grand opening tonight.
"I love it, it's a great chance for students who don't have any restaurant experience to whet their appetite for it, and Marshall doesn't have an Italian restaurant," said Rich Lidstrom, a junior from Carmel Ind. and a line cook at the restaurant.
Yome Nguyen, a senior from Sioux City, Iowa, will be handling the service side of the restaurant tonight.
"I do think it's what Marshall needs," Nguyen said. "I've always craved Italian and it definitely fills that void. And it's a reasonable price so people can come back often."
Reasonable prices and a first-rate curriculum in culinology and hospitality management is also what draws students to SMSU.
Carlyn Torres is a junior from Portland, Ore.
"We're making the dinner rolls," Torres said as she kneaded a large mass of dough in the kitchen.
Tommy Jenson, a senior from Champlin, kneaded across the kitchen table.
"It's going to be popular," Jenson said, "I've heard people were getting excited for it since before the semester began."
Trattoria Caldo will be open every Wednesday from 5:30 to 8 p.m. in IL 118. The menu offers appetizers, salads, entrees, pasta, sandwiches, pizza, and desserts. No reservations will be taken.
For information, customers can got to the websites www.SMSU.edu/go/tratorriacaldo and www.SMSU.edu.campuslife/restaurant.
