Nearly 30 years after first opening its doors, the Blue Window Bistro is now owned and managed by Melissa Paternoster. Melissa bought it in her senior year at UNM one year ago and has been busy making innovations to offer more to the community through events and services.
Melissa graduated from Los Alamos High School and attended the University of New Mexico where she studied business. She then focused in on pursuing an Environmental Science degree with an emphasis on Sustainability Studies. In her last semester, she heard that the restaurant was for sale, and by June of 2010 she took ownership.
In her first year, Melissa has instigated several new events, including wine tastings and jazz nights. A website was created, new staff trainings and service standards have been instituted, and a Sunday brunch service and off-site catering have been established. Additionally, the menu has been expanded (and changes seasonally) to include new specials and new flavor combinations in old favorites.
As for the future, Melissa has ambitions to continue to expand sustainable practices, buy more food and service products locally, and to expand partnerships with other local businesses.
“I care about how I run my business,” she says. “I work to keep my spending in town and to change the attitude that you have to go off the hill for a nice evening out.”
Website: labluewindowbistro.com
Hours: Lunch 11 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Monday – Friday Dinner 5 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Monday – Thursday, 5 p.m. – 9 p.m. Friday – Saturday Sunday Brunch 9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.