Centro Storico Cafe Manager Marissa Pozzuoli and her father, Centro Storico Founder Enrico Pozzuoli, showcase menu items available at their family’s newest restaurant.  The entire Pozzuoli family is involved with the series of eateries and the Pozzuoli Winery, which Enrico says translates to their service.  “We’re a family, so we want to make this feel like a family too,” he says. “Everyone is welcome.”

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Centro Storico

Good Italian food takes patience, and Enrico and Daniela Pozzuoli have had plenty.  What began fifteen years ago as a wine tasting room has slowly simmered into Centro Storico, which opened in January in Old Towne as the family’s second Italian restaurant alongside their original Centro in Tustin.  The restaurant also features Storico Cafe, created and run by their daughter, Marissa Pozzuoli.

Centro’s roots go back to 2011, when Enrico and Daniela opened a small wine tasting room with appetizers.  They eventually moved to Old Town Tustin, where the food took on a life of its own.  Pizza became the draw, and when the space next door opened up, they expanded into fresh pastas and a full-service menu.

In Orange, they’ve combined both concepts under one roof.

“I’m an architect, and because my first office was in Old Town Torrance, I’ve always had a thing for old town city centers everywhere,” says Enrico.  “I really appreciate the historical and architectural aspects of Old Towne Orange.”

That appreciation shows in the space itself.  The Pozzuolis set up in one of Old Towne’s historic buildings, converting the lower-level storage area into a dining room with a wine-cellar atmosphere that doubles as a private event space.

Enrico describes the menu as Tuscan, country-style cooking. Inspiration for the cuisine often comes from trips to Italy, where Daniela was born and raised.  Customers can expect classic fresh pasta dishes, including ragu, pesto and aglione, as well as grilled meats, paninis and desserts.

The cafe side is entirely Marissa’s creation.  After years in Oregon studying advertising and working as a barista, she moved back to California at her family’s encouragement and built Storico Cafe from scratch, sourcing all the products and developing the full menu herself.

Customers can choose from espresso-based drinks as well as matcha, with flavorings like pistachio, strawberry and mango lemonade.

“My dad is helping teach me how to build my own business, which is such a unique experience,” says Marissa.  “It’s great to be able to work with my family.”

Family runs through everything at Centro Storico.  All four of Enrico and Daniela’s children are involved with the business, with three of them working there full-time.  That closeness shapes how they treat customers, too, with the Pozzuolis aiming to create the same warmth for guests that they feel working together every day.

“I’m blessed that I get to work with my family every day.  That motivates me to do my best,” says Enrico.

Centro Storico
208 East Chapman Ave., Old Towne Orange, CA  /  714-915-7450