GOURMET ITALIA
ITALIAN RESTAURANT
Since 1999
- LOCATION -
- RESERVATIONS -
27499 Ynez Road
Temecula, CA
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
We will be closed until further notice.
Typical Hours
Tuesday - Sunday, 11am - 10pm
Closed Mondays
Winner of Little Big Italy
Cooking Competition!
Awarded Ristoranti Italiani Nel Mondo
Come Taste
Sapori di Sicilia
RANKED #5 AS THE
"THE MOST ROMANTIC RESTAURANT IN THE U.S."
FROM THE GARDEN
REAL PASSION* REAL ITALIAN
Gourmet Italia uses as much seasonal fresh organic produce cultivated from its own 6 acre garden along with the highest quality of imported Italian goods. So every plate, flavor and bite tastes like Sicilia!
"Never had a decent meal from a great chef with lousy ingredients but I've had a decent meal from a lousy chef with great ingredients"
- Alex Prestifilippo
ABOUT ALEX
Alessandro "Alex" was born in Piazza Armerina, Sicily, Italy. After Alex graduated from high school, he and his father opened a family restaurant in their home town. Alex managed Lo Sporone and also managed a pizzeria as well as an equestrian center. In 1997 he decided to leave Italy for California. Like many other Europeans, Alex had a dream to make it in America; the land of opportunity.
Coming to California, and not speaking a word of English, he started his first job mopping floors and busing tables at a restaurant in Newport Beach. Though appreciative of the opportunity he had been given, it wasn't enough for a man that the word "driven" only begins to describe. He was determined to learn the English language so that he may aspire to one day own a restaurant of his own.
In 4 short years, Alex accomplished his dream of opening a restaurant in America. Gourmet Italia was opened in October of 2000 and Temecula was introduced to several of Alex's family recipes as well as an arrangement of other well known Italian dishes. The news of Gourmet Italia's incredible food, attentive service, charming, passionate and always singing owner spread fast and the success of the restaurant was more than Alex ever expected.
Today, Alex has successfully opened Gourmet Italia and Spuntino Pizzeria / Delicatessen, The Bar Next Door, Poggio Leano Wine Club and a recent addition The Wine Room & Lounge in Temecula, CA. He lives this American dream with his wife Charity, and their 3 children; Mirella, Luca and Logan.
