Anna and Miguel Tapia love to cook. Together with their son, Miguel Jr., they form a great family team at Roma Nova in Beacon.

It’s the only restaurant in the Hudson Valley where you will find superb Mexican and Italian dishes on the same menu.

Natives of Mexico City, Anna and Miguel have been employed at key roles in local restaurants. Anna has been with the Roma Nova for 12 years, while Miguel was formerly the chef at the North Street Grille in Fishkill.

When they took over Roma Nova at 6 Eliza Street (just off Main Street) in Beacon, they continued the tradition of great traditional Italian dishes. But the patrons came forward. They knew about the Tapia’s Mexican roots and asked “Where’s the Mexican food?”

So the Tapia family responded with true Mexican dishes – from old family recipes.

As a native of Texas who has loved and enjoyed great Mexican food for most of my life, I can tell you that the flautas are fabulous. They are the best I’ve had since I moved to New York 21 years ago.

Flautas are corn tortillas filled with beef, rolled and fried. At Roma Nova, you get six flautas, topped with sour cream, lettuce and cheese and served with a side of guacamole and red salsa.

But that is just the beginning of the great Mexican entrees.

Roma Nova features traditional favorites such as Fajitas, Tacos and Enchiladas. However, as you would expect, the Tapia family also features some of the family favorites. Carne Asada is a grilled rib eye steak, served with sauteed onions, mushrooms, jalapenos, a side order of yellow rice, refried beans, guacamole, red salsa and corn tortillas.

Other specialties are Blackened Shrimp Quesadillas, Tostadas with refried beans, Mexican Cheese, lettuce and green (hot) salsa and a Mexican Pizza with refried beans, chorizo (Mexican sausage), cheese and jalapenos.

Here are two more family favorites before we leave the Mexican dishes. Pombazo features toasted bread sauteed in their special red sauce and then stuffed with Mexican Chorizo, potatoes, sour cream, lettuce, Mexican cheese and a side of green salsa. Torta de Milanesa is acutally a Mexican sub. It features toasted bread with breaded steak, refried beans, tomatoes, lettuce, jalapenos, Mexican cheese and avocado slices.

One area which is common to both Mexican and Italian dishes is the use of different types of cheeses and sauces. On the Mexican side, we see Queso, Monterrey Jack and Viejo cheeses. Sauces include medium and hot salsas, plus the milder guacamole and the hot green habanero sauces. On the Italian side, we see mozzarella, provolone and cheddar cheeses, plus tomato and marinara sauces.

Roma Nova features all of your favorite traditional Italian pizzas, plus calzones and a wide variety of strombolis.

You will also find meat lasagna, veal, eggplant and chicken parmagiana, baked ziti, spaghetti and ravioli dishes. Some of their specialties include Penne Putanesca with grilled chicken, capers, crushed pepper, olives, tomatoes, anchovies, pesto, garlic and olive oil. Their Pasta Primavera features penne pasta, fresh vegetables, basil and romano cheese.

Add great appetizers such as Buffalo wings, popcorn shrimp, chicken fingers, Mozzarella sticks, curly fries, plus salads and a long list of cold subs and you have the ideal restaurant for any taste.

The Tapia family says they even have many customers who come in wanting to mix Italian and Mexican dishes – and they are most happy to accommodate.

For more information call Roma Nova at 831- 5729. And yes, they do deliver.