MARY BALDASANO / Special to the PVT Carmelo Blundo and his son, Lee, prepare to make lasagna for customers. Advertisement

Many people will tell you that to get true Italian food you have to have an Italian-born chef.

Well, Carmelo Blundo is just that -- Italian born.

The new Carmelo's restaurant at 1440 E. Highway 372, Suite D (next to Super Burrito), gives the feel of a sidewalk café in the heart of Florence, only indoors. The atmosphere is Pahrump with an Italian flair, and the Italian fare is great.

Blundo was born in Santa Croce Camerina, Province of Ragusa, Sicily. He attended chef's school in Florence, graduating in 1981.

"I learned the true meaning of being a fine chef -- like an artist he puts together an array of colors in exact placement. A perfect meal means each course builds on the other. At the end of the meal the diner is completely satisfied," said Blundo.

The Blundos have been in Pahrump for a year-like most having moved here from Las Vegas.

In Vegas he was chef for Isabella's Ristorante, which was named one of the 10 best restaurants in Las Vegas in the February 2003 edition of Las Vegas Life.

He cooked for many celebrities, one of which was, of course, Mayor Oscar Goodman and his many celebrity guests. He also owned his own restaurant in Florida named the Mona Lisa Ristorante.

Blundo said, "I love to cook. I don't just prepare food, I invent it. I will try a new recipe to see if I think my customers would like it. I have never had a complaint."

The service is good, but keep in mind, there are only Carmelo and his son, Lee, working at most times.

Each meal is made to order (except for the sauce), "I am not a fast-food restaurant, I want my customers to savor the flavor of the meal," said Blundo. "I like to make friends. You make friends by cooking a generous and good meal."

The current economy has no impact on Carmelo's as he keeps it a small, family-owned business with only one part-time employee. The prices are reasonable for Pahrumpians.

Blundo also caters to small groups. His current kitchen does not allow for large-group catering, but he can handle about 20 people. Early notification is essential to success.

"I can cook any kind of meal you want. Tell me what you want, and Chef Carmelo will prepare it for you," said Blundo. Blundo is very personable and, of course, speaks fluent Italian.

The restaurant is open Tuesday-Saturday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sunday, noon-7 p.m., and is closed Mondays.

You can reach Carmelo by calling 775-751-1660.