Pasta Paradiso owner Renee Lee is excited to announce that her Italian restaurant at 1315 Trinity Dr., is now specializing in chargrilled USDA prime steaks.

“Our steaks include a 10-ounce Ribeye with twice baked potatoes and grilled asparagus, a 10-ounce rosemary garlic marinated New York served with a Chipotle Demi-glace, loaded baked potato and sautéed vegetables, a 12-ounce T-Bone served with a tomatillo basil salsa, sliced garlic butter baked potato and oven roasted vegetables and a 10-ounce Filet Mignon that is bacon wrapped and served with hollandaise sauce, garlic mashed potatoes and fresh vegetables,” Lee said.

Lee opened her Italian eatery July 15, 2016 and said she has never been happier.

“I love Los Alamos and the people in this community and considered it a privilege to serve them,” she said.

Prior to opening her restaurant in Los Alamos, Lee operated restaurants in Grants Pass, Ore.; Telluride, Colo.; Moab, Utah and San Diego, Calif. She said she felt that Los Alamos needed an Italian restaurant, so she renovated the former Hill Diner and the rest is history.

“People told me they wanted real Italian food and steaks and I listened to their suggestions,” she said. “Our pasta comes from the renowned La Bella company in New York, our mussels come from Seattle Seafood, the vegetables from Just the Best, and I handpick our steaks.”

Sergio Escarcega is the head chef at Pasta Paradiso. He was a chef at the Blue Window under the previous owners and a high-end restaurant in Denver before moving back to Los Alamos because his family is here, Lee said. His signature dish is Napoleon Paradiso, an eggplant and Portobello mushroom and fresh mozzarella stack baked in a marinara sauce with risotto.

Pasta Paradiso offers, in addition to steaks, basil-crusted salmon, soups, salad, sandwiches made on homemade bread, pasta made fresh in the kitchen, calzones, chicken, shrimp, calamari, meatballs, Italian sausage, lasagna, baked penne, ravioli, pizza, spaghetti, angel air, cavatappi, fettuccini and linguini with a choice of marinara, Bolognese, Alfredo or green chili Alfredo sauce. Gluten free and vegetarian options also are available. Desserts include tiramisu made with Kahlua, cannoli made with Amaretto, a rosemary crème brulee and panacotta with raspberry sauce.

“We are a very popular venue for dinner because of our wide selection of wines and beer including the wonderful Bell’Agio Chianti and Stella Artois beer on tap,” Lee said.

Pasta Paradiso hours are 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. through 8 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday; 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. through 8:30 p.m. Friday; 5-8:30 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday. For more information, call 505.662.0552.