A young Italian dreamer once left Sicily in search of opportunity.

What he found was so much more—love, family, success, and a forever home right here in Temecula.

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Charity grew up here in Temecula, moving with her family in 1981. Her father, Lorenzo Comella, was a proud first-generation Italian American from Rhode Island, and her mother, Cassandra, filled their home with warmth. Temecula was where Charity’s roots took hold.

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Meanwhile, Alessandro “Alex” Prestifilippo was carving his own path. After moving from Sicily to Orange County in the early ’90s, Alex made his way to Temecula in 1996. By 1999, his dream had come to life: his first restaurant, Gourmet Italia, opened its doors. It quickly became more than just a restaurant—it became a gathering place, known far and wide for authentic Italian flavors and heartfelt hospitality.

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It was at Gourmet Italia, in 2001, that Alex met Charity. Their connection was instant. Within a year, they were married, and by 2002 their family began to grow. Mimi, Alex’s daughter, gained a new “bonus” mom—and soon, two little brothers: Luca in 2002 and Logan in 2005.

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Not long after Logan’s birth, another baby arrived—this one a business! Inspired by Venda Ravioli in Providence, Rhode Island, Alex and Charity opened Spuntino. At first, it was a deli, grocery, and pizzeria. But as Temecula’s tastes evolved, so did Spuntino. Soon, it became best known as a pizzeria, deli, and bar, and home to the valley’s very first true wood-burning Italian pizza oven.

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By 2013, the family’s vision grew again with the creation of The Bar Next Door—a late-night spot with a spirit all its own.

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Over the years, every member of the Prestifilippo family has found their place in this story.​

From Italy to Temecula, from one restaurant to a community of businesses, the Prestifilippo family story is woven into every bite, every pour, and every warm welcome. It’s a story built on love—for food, for family, and for this valley we call home.