Angelo’s and Vinci’s Ristorante, Fullerton’s widespread red-sauce Italian-American eatery colloquially referred to as “A&V’s,” will shut its doorways after sending out its last dish on Aug. 1. The downtown staple served diners for 52 years.
“From our easy beginnings as a beer and wine cafe on the Fox Theatre, to our present location for 925 individuals, you’ve supported us via the expansion, the modifications and the challenges,” in line with a written assertion proprietor Cynthia Peck posted to the restaurant’s web site and social media. “We’re a household and you might be part of that household, a connection ceaselessly. For that there aren’t any phrases nice sufficient to thanks.”
Heartfelt messages of mourning and love poured in on the restaurant’s Instagram account. “Simply don’t wish to think about a world with out our treasured Angelo’s and Vinci’s — it’s like an finish to an period, and so onerous to let go,” wrote one fan. Whereas one other Angelo’s and Vinci’s admirer reminisced, “My spouse and I had our wedding ceremony there in 2007 and we at all times introduced our households to eat there after our daughter’s annual dance recitals.”
Opening in 1971, Angelo’s and Vinci’s, named after Renaissance artists Michelangelo and Leonardo, respectively, began as a restaurant in entrance of the Fox Theater earlier than shifting into its present, bigger location subsequent door. Steven Peck, the unique proprietor, was a choreographer and actor who, amongst his 100-plus tv and film appearances, performed Sylvester Stallone’s father in “Rhinestone” and danced the tango in “The Godfather: Half II.” After his passing in 2005, his spouse, Cynthia, took over operations. She determined to retire and promote the property in 2022.
The restaurant was regarded for each its traditional Italian-American fare and its maximalist Italian-fantasia décor, which included, amongst different eye-catching highlights, cherubs and trapeze mannequins dangling from the ceiling, multi-hued ornamental lights strung hither and thither, a year-round Christmas tree, and an angel sculpture with a neon halo.
The restaurant and surrounding buildings are set to bear a significant renovation by the town of Fullerton and Frontier Actual Property, which is able to redevelop a number of city-owned properties on the block of the Fox Theatre property.
