| Sal Faso - Piccolino Mission Viejo | ||
 Destiny plays a big part in peoples’ lives – at least in this one.
Sal Faso was destined to be in the restaurant business in California from a very young age – though that was certainly not how his life started out. He began life in the heart of Chicago’s famed Italian district. Born in the late 60’s to Sicilian immigrants and raised in the family restaurants his parents owned, it was because of a stubborn streak and a father’s promise that eventually his “destiny” propelled him to the gentle hills and gentle people of Mission Viejo.
From Sicily to Chicago to Sicily
Sal’s dad, Salvatore Faso, had left Sicily and his family’s restaurants to migrate to America with his wife Caterina before Sal was born. Following the ancestral path, they immediately opened up Congresso Restaurant - still serving customers in Chicago to this day.
One restaurant was not enough. Victors Pizza and La Cantina Ristorante Italiano soon followed. Sal’s dad was an entrepreneur steeped in the ways of the old country where you worked hard and took chances to better your life and that of your family.
The restaurant business was good, but Chicago’s blustery winters were a far cry from the homeland. As Sal was growing up, mom and dad made up their minds that Chicago was a cold place to live with winters that lasted too long. It was hard to adapt - coming from the warm island of Sicily.
Running Away to Disneyland - Almost
In 1978 they informed little Sal they were moving the family to Italy. It was then that little Sal ( 12 at the time and very much a “Chicago” kid ) decided he was running away from home and heading to California. He’d learned survival skills in Bout Scouts and just knew he could take care of himself. The only problem was that he decided to share his plans with his Boy Scout troop leader, Mr. Barney. Much to Sal’s dismay, Mr. Barney diverted his plans, escorting him right back home to his parents informing them of their son’s plans to strike out on his own. Dad told Sal that if he agreed to accompany the family back to Sicily ( like he had a choice!) they would spend some time in California prior to leaving for Italy, and he could finally visit Disneyland, Magic Mountain, Knott’s and all the other places he had planned to see as a 12 year old runaway. The deal was struck and away they went.
Running Away to Hollywood
After a decade of Italy, Hollywood remained in Sal’s mind and one day he informed dad he was going on vacation - to you know where… It was the summer of 89. The two weeks stretched into three, four, then two months and more. Dad called and waited, called and waited. When was Sal coming back home? The answer was always “next month”. Sal was laying the ground work for his permanent stay in California. His own dream was to have a restaurant where he could continue the philosophy of Mom and Dad - "Make what you know, Don’t do what you don’t know and Whatever you do, do it with warm passion, keep it simple and always provide quality."
Rubbing Elbows with the Stars
Sal began refining his skills and learning the California way of business at Claudio’d Italian Restaurant in Downey, eventually landing a job with Spectrum Foods in the early 90’ serving as manager of Chianti & Cucina in Hollwood. His dream had come true. He was in the midst of the excitement of the movie community where he got to meet and serve many of Hollywood’s stars including Jennifer Anniston and Brad Pitt, Al Pacino, Steve Martin, Danny Di Vito and others. In the meantime he married Joey and the family grew as daughter Cortney and Caterina came along. As the family started shaping, Joey wanted Sal “out of Hollywood” so the girls could grow up in a family area that offered soccer and swim teams and kept them safe from the unrealistic glitz and glamour of that part of the world.
In the mid 90’s Sal’s request for a transfer was accepted. His next assignment by Spectrum was to be the helm of Prego Ristorante in Irvine, Ca. He was later promoted to Executive General Manager for the Prego concept which included restaurants in Irvine, San Diego, Beverly Hills, Rancho Mirage, San Francisco, Walnut Creek, Los Angeles and Sherman Oaks.
Piccolino's is Born
After a decade at Spectrum Sal felt ripe for his own adventure, purchased an existing restaurant in Mission Viejo and turned it into what he knows best - A charming Italian eatery with an extensive wine list, (second to none in the area) a menu that offers fresh fish daily, homemade pastas and family specialties passed on for generations.
Piccolino’s is a true family restaurant, operated with passion and heart. You are a friend the minute you walk in the door. You are greeted by Sal, whose ultimate desire is pleasing your palate and sharing with you the hospitality that was born into him by his father and mother, Salvatore and Caternia, grandfathers and grandmothers on both sides.
Piccolino is the heartbeat of the family. The word itself means “small”, but there is nothing small in the efforts to provide a real Italian dining experience at this warm and welcome addition to the neighborhood.
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