Today we’d like to introduce you to Sho Fusco.
Hi Sho, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Bottega Angelina was founded by husband-and-wife team Filippo and Shokoufeh (“Sho”) Fusco, who combined their distinct backgrounds and shared passion for authentic Italian hospitality to create a restaurant that feels both luxurious and deeply personal. Filippo, originally from Piedimonte San Germano in Italy, grew up immersed in the flavors, craftsmanship, and traditions of his homeland, which inspired his lifelong dream of bringing a true Italian dining experience to Southern California. Sho, raised in Orange County with a career rooted in finance, business development, and brand strategy, brought the operational discipline, marketing insight, and aesthetic sensibility needed to turn that vision into a thriving enterprise. Together, they set out to build more than just a restaurant—they envisioned a modern Italian “bottega,” a place where guests could experience the soul of Italy through its cuisine, design, and warmth. Their goal was to honor Italian authenticity while offering the elevated level of service, ambiance, and attention to detail expected in a fine-dining destination. Bottega Angelina represents the culmination of their shared values: heritage, artistry, and the belief that exceptional food and heartfelt hospitality create lasting connections.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Not at all — the road for Filippo and Sho Fusco in building Bottega Angelina has been anything but smooth. Like many independent restaurateurs pursuing a true passion project, their journey has involved significant personal sacrifice, financial risk, and resilience through adversity. From the start, they set out to build something ambitious — not just another Italian restaurant, but a destination that reflected Filippo’s roots and Sho’s vision for design, quality, and experience. That level of commitment meant personally managing everything from construction delays, vendor issues, and staffing challenges to navigating the impacts of the pandemic on the restaurant industry.
Behind the elegant dining rooms and ocean-view patios is a story of grit and perseverance: long nights, constant reinvestment, and a relentless focus on maintaining authenticity while balancing the realities of operating a high-end hospitality business in Southern California. They’ve had to overcome supply chain disruptions from Italy, leadership turnover, and the financial strain that comes with running multiple restaurant concepts. Yet through every obstacle, Filippo and Sho have stayed committed to their mission — creating a place that celebrates the artistry of Italian culture and cuisine while serving as a testament to what can be built through passion, partnership, and persistence.
We’ve been impressed with Bottega Angelina Ristorante e Mercato, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Bottega Angelina: Where Italy Meets the California Coast
Overlooking the rolling hills and sprawling ocean views of Laguna Niguel, Bottega Angelina stands as a celebration of Italian beauty, culture, and craftsmanship. Conceived by husband-and-wife duo Filippo and Sho Fusco, also the founders of the beloved Angelina’s Pizzeria in Irvine, the restaurant captures the heart of Italy while embracing the effortless sophistication of Southern California. Every element—food, architecture, design, and experience—was intentionally crafted to transport guests to a place where time slows, flavors deepen, and hospitality feels like home.
The restaurant’s architecture and interior design were led by Kelly Architect, with George Kelly himself contributing personally to the vision. His artistry can be felt throughout: vaulted ceilings, rustic textures, limestone finishes, and sweeping light that blurs the line between indoor and coastal living. Restoration Hardware patio furnishings and custom Italian detailing lend a sense of quiet luxury—modern yet timeless, refined yet warmly familiar.
At the heart of the concept lies the Mercato, an extraordinary Italian marketplace that extends the dining experience beyond the table. Curated by Sho Fusco herself, the Mercato is filled with treasures she personally hand-selects across Italy—artisanal olive oils, house-made sauces, imported pastas, fine wines, and bespoke Italian home goods. Within it, guests discover a gelateria and pasticceria where every gelato, pastry, and dessert is crafted in-house daily, alongside a bakery and salumeria offering freshly baked breads, delicate pastries, cured meats, and regional specialties. It’s a sensory journey that reflects the Fuscos’ devotion to authenticity and their desire to bring the heart of an Italian village to Orange County.
Culinarily, Bottega Angelina honors seasonal Italian cooking—hand-rolled pastas, coastal Mediterranean seafood, and elegantly simple dishes that showcase quality over complexity. Its sister restaurant, Angelina’s Pizzeria, remains a local favorite for its wood-fired Neapolitan pizzas, made with imported Italian flour and San Marzano tomatoes, embodying the spirit of Naples.
Adding to the magic is the “Il Sigaro” cigar program, hosted on the tucked-away Olivietto Patio, where guests can savor premium cigars and aged Italian spirits while gazing out at the Pacific. It’s a nod to la dolce vita—the art of lingering, connecting, and savoring life’s finer moments.
What truly distinguishes the Fuscos’ vision is their hands-on artistry and unwavering commitment to excellence. Filippo’s Italian heritage defines the culinary soul, while Sho’s eye for design, storytelling, and curation shapes the brand’s aesthetic and emotional resonance. Together, they’ve created a destination that is at once elegant, soulful, and unforgettable.
For the Fuscos, Bottega Angelina isn’t just a restaurant—it’s a living expression of Italian authenticity and California ease. A place where dining, shopping, and celebration converge; where every espresso, every pastry, and every sunset over the ocean reminds guests that hospitality, when done with heart, becomes its own form of art.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
Something most people don’t know about Filippo and Sho Fusco is that the heart of their success isn’t just their shared passion for food—it’s their intense, hands-on approach to every detail of their brand. Despite the elegance and polish of Bottega Angelina and Angelina’s Pizzeria, the Fuscos personally oversee everything from menu development and wine sourcing to the selection of marble for the bar tops and linens for the dining rooms. Sho personally curates every product in the Mercato—often sourcing from small Italian artisans she meets during her travels—and Filippo, who grew up in a small Italian town, still works side-by-side with the chefs to preserve the integrity of each dish. Few realize that every design choice, every imported ingredient, and even the fragrance used in the dining room has their fingerprints on it.
Equally surprising is their background: both came from demanding corporate and financial careers before entering hospitality, meaning their success wasn’t inherited or franchised—it was built from the ground up with grit and reinvention. They poured their personal savings, time, and hearts into creating a restaurant that felt like Italy, not just looked like it. For them, Bottega Angelina isn’t a business—it’s a deeply personal expression of artistry and culture. That quiet, obsessive dedication behind the beauty and warmth guests experience every day is what truly sets the Fuscos apart.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.bottegaangelina.com
- Instagram: @bottegaangelina @bottegaangelinamercato
- Facebook: Bottega Angelina
- LinkedIn: Bottega Angelina
- Twitter: #bottegaangelina
- Youtube: Bottega Angelina
- Yelp: Bottega Angelina
- Other: @bottega.angelina
