Art Institute of Pittsburgh students tackle running an eatery

An Art Institute program gives students a taste of real world experience while offering the public an unusual dining option.

Taste of Art Restaurant at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh, Downtown, is a student-run lunch spot located on the building's ninth floor that features a new menu every semester.

“We're considered the best-kept secret in Pittsburgh,” says Roger Levine, culinary and hotel restaurant management assistant professor. “At some point, we need to no longer be a secret.”

Students in the culinary school run the restaurant and work in each role, including chef, manager and wait staff, for seven weeks. A new crop takes over each semester and debuts their take on a theme Levine determines. He and instructor chef David Russo oversee the program.

“We try to create as real an outside environment as we can inside the school,” Levine says.

The current group gathered recently to brainstorm ideas for the new Taiwanese menu, set to roll out Jan. 27.

“It's going to be neat to be able to experience this,” says Jill Horan, a baking and pastry student who plans to continue her studies in culinary management. “It's a lot more work than people think. We're basically running it as students.”

For inspiration for the most recent menu, staff looked to Michael Chen, a Taiwanese immigrant who owns several Pittsburgh-area restaurants including Everyday Noodles. Chen recently oversaw a cooking demonstration featuring chefs from his restaurant who taught students the basics of Taiwanese cooking.

“Taiwan is a small country, and the food-industry competition is very high,” says Chen. “You want to create something different so you can survive.”

The chefs prepared gua bao — pork belly buns with seasoned meat.

“It was my favorite food when I was in high school,” says Chen. “We'd eat it in movie theaters.”

What, no popcorn?

“It tastes better and doesn't make noise,” Chen says with a smile.

Chen relishes the opportunity to share his culture with the young people.

“The world has become so small,” he says. “Before, you'd never see chefs using soy sauce or sesame oil. Now, you see more at the Asian stores getting ingredients. They're introducing real Chinese food to the industry.”

Students generated hundreds of ideas, which Levine will whittle down before Taste of the Art reopens. The restaurant has a loyal following, with regulars asking about new menus weeks before they're even developed.

The high level of service doesn't come with a hefty price tag. Most items run under $8.

But the real value is the experience each student gains over the course of the class.

“This is great experience, and I look forward to learning more,” says student Nate Wagner, of Allison Park. “I learn by doing.”

Taste of Art is located in the Art Institute of Pittsburgh, 420 Boulevard of the Allies, Downtown. Hours beginning Jan. 27: 11:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Mondays through Wednesdays. Reservations recommended. Details: 412-291-6532 or artinstitutes.edu/pittsburgh

Rachel Weaver is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. She can be reached at 412-320-7948 or rweaver@tribweb.com.