Parella to Open in Calhoun Square this Summer

Macdonald has been biding his time for the right restaurant opportunity since moving back to Minneapolis after a winning hearts and stomachs in New York City at Willow Road, Cru, and Bouley. It's been over a year since returning, but the opportunity wasn't right until now.

He will open Parella along with Michael Larson. Larson also owns Digby's at Rosedale, but his background is mainly in fine dining. Larson used to run the dearly departed Pronto and spent many years working for Parasole. Parasole, you may remember, owned Figlio and Larson was working with the company when they made the decision to revamp the restaurant as Il Gato. It seems we've come full circle, in a way.

Macdonald told Dara Moskowitz Grumdahl of Mpls./St. Paul Magazine that he loves the Italian cooking sensibility and thinks it will make a good fit for Minneapolis: "good ingredients, showcased well." Parella will join other Italian restaurants on the Minneapolis horizon for 2015, Monello and Il Foro.

While the interior is getting a refresher, the wood fire oven will return and be made of good use for that toasty, fire-kissed taste. Plus, pastas will be fresh and made in house. Entrees will begin in the $12 range and there will be a crudo bar.

Mary Macdonald, Todd's wife, is a certified sommelier and will curate an all-Italian wine list.

Parella will be open for lunch, dinner and late night dining. They plan to open with a late night menu that will be served all the way until bar close seven nights a week - providing demand is there.

They expect the restaurant to be ready to open this summer.