La Scala Trattoria set to open tonight in Wash Park

La Scala Trattoria, a new Italian restaurant in Washington Park, will start serving dinner at 5 p.m. tonight.

The space features a small dining room and bar with a clean and dark feel; interim chef Nate McBroom says the menu will focus on straightforward, rustic Italian food.

"We'll have most of the classics you would find in an Italian restaurant, but we put our own flair on it and make it special," says McBroom. "We will make sure everything we put out is clean and fresh. We'll put a little more artistic spin on it than regular Italian plating."

The menu includes classic pasta dishes as well as veal, chicken and beef entrees; there's also a small wine list. When La Scala begins serving lunch on May 23, McBroom says it will offer slightly lighter fare.

Accoding to McBroom, the original chef got into a dispute with the owners over the menu; he stepped in to help them open the restaurant until they can find someone to permanently fill the position.