History of our Restaurant

Fontana's Italian's History
Established in 1984.

The word "Fontana" translates from Italian to mean "Fountain". The Fontana restaurant is named after "Fontana Rossa", a quaint mountain village outside of Genoa, Italy. It was known as the birthplace of Christopher Columbus' mother. Fontana's owner Charlotte Chiapellone's grandfather, as well as two other families, the Moscone's and the Mangini's, came from Fontana Rossa to San Francisco in the early 1900's. One of the members of the Moscone family became the mayor of San Francisco; his memory is still honored by a plaque in the piazza wall in Fontana Rossa for his financial generosity to the village church. Mangini became a prominent name on the San Francisco Peninsula. The Chiapellone's were involved in founding the Burlingame Garden Center and others were involved with the San Francisco Sunset Scavengers.

Meet the Business Owner:

Charlotte Chiapelone Horton a native of Burlingame, California was brought up close to soil and fresh vegetables and fruits in her family business at the Burlingame Garden Center. She graduated from University of Pacific and was a Elementary School Teacher in San Mateo and Mt. View. After marrying Murray Horton , they founded The Good Earth Restaurant as well as Fontana's Italian in Cupertino. Charlotte's Italian heritage from Fontanna Rossa in the hills above Genoa, Italy comes thru in the caring service and hospitality  as well as delicious food Fontana's serves you.