Our story begins nearly 30 years ago in the sun-drenched hills of Sicily, where a young dreamer, Alessandro Prestifilippo, imagined a life filled with possibility beyond the Mediterranean.

 

In 1996, driven by passion and with little more than a dream—and not a word of English—he set off for California in search of his own American Dream.

 

Just three years later, that dream began to take shape with the opening of Gourmet Italia. That handsome, charming, and charismatic young Sicilian man took a chance on a tiny little “hole in the wall” deli place in Temecula, California and turned it into the best Italian restaurant in the valley.

 

It started with a small space, incredible food and top notch service... not to mention the serenades from Alex himself, a restaurant favorite. It quickly became a local favorite—and even more meaningful, it’s where Alex met his wife, Charity. Together, they’ve built not just a business, but a legacy rooted in family, passion, and community. This restaurant would be the foundation for his growing empire, beautiful family and ultimate life’s purpose.