![The Metropolitan Grill launched its grand opening by offering an all you can eat menu tasting promotion on Monday Feb.10 2014. [Photo by Daniel Day]](https://post-telegraph.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Grill-Grand-Opening-Sign-169x300.jpg)
BON APPETIT: The Metropolitan Grill launched its grand opening by offering an all you can eat menu tasting promotion on Monday Feb. 10, 2014. [Photo by Daniel Day]
“I really like it,” said Tatianna Anderson, a student majoring in restaurant management who is on the new staff. She is one of the many HTE students who are enthusiastic about learning in a hands-on, real-life restaurant atmosphere.
Monday thru Wednesday the class serving lunch is instructed by Chef Koch and the menu has a selection of sandwiches and salads. Thursday, the restaurant will be serving elegant entrées as well as desserts and will be instructed by Chef David Beckwith. As of now, the restaurant is only serving lunch from 11a.m. until 12:30 p.m. because it is exclusively used as a college course and operated by students only.
Chef Koch led the class on its opening day. He has taught Food Production and Service at MSU for three semesters. With 25 years of experience in culinary arts, he has also taught at organizations such as Work Options for Women and the Colorado Chefs Association. His favorite dish on The Metropolitan Grill’s menu is the crabcake sliders. “I like the spiciness paired with the sweet crab,” he said.

CATCH OF THE DAY: The highly acclaimed crabcake sliders were a hot item on Monday’s grand opening. [Photo by Daniel Day]
Prior to construction of the new HLC, the class was held in the Plaza Bldg. Students used to transform the classroom every day. “They’d have to tear out all the tables, all the chairs, roll in other tables and chairs, set it up as a dining room and we’d have a little lunch in there,” James “Jimi” Webb said. Jimi is the HTE operations manager and an alumnus of the program. “Now that we have the restaurant, it’s an outlet,” he said. Now students have more time to concentrate on important aspects of the restaurant industry. “In this class they’re learning how to use POS systems, how to use reservation systems, how a food service line in the kitchen runs and they learn a lot about service too,” Jimi said.

FINE DINING: Students prepare the restaurant as customers await the first taste of The Metropolitan Grill. [Photo by Daniel Day]
The restaurant is located on the North side of campus next to the baseball field along Auraria Parkway. Menus are available and lunch reservations can be made online at http://www.msudenver.edu/hospitality/themetropolitangrill
HUNGRY?
What: Metropolitan Grill
Where: Hospitality Learning Center, 1190 Auraria Parkway Room #101
When: 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Mon. – Thurs.
Cost: Main Course Selections $8-$10
Phone: (303)-556-6824
By Daniel Day
Posted Sun, Feb 23, 2014