Cynthia is named for our founder's aunt, Cynthia Peck - the heartbeat of a beloved California dining institution and the person who taught our family that hospitality is an act of love. In 1971, her husband, the actor-dancer-choreographer Steven Peck, opened Angelo's & Vinci's Ristorante beside Fullerton's historic Fox Theatre. Part stage set, part trattoria, the restaurant grew into a world of its own: cathedral-high ceilings draped in fairy lights, Renaissance murals , and family photos smiling down from the  dining room altar. Steven dreamed it, Cynthia made sure every guest felt at home inside of it. 

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When Steven passed away in 2005, Cynthia carried the torch, running the dining room with grace and keeping the doors open for birthdays, weddings and three and four generations of regulars. Under her care, Angelo's & Vinci's became more than a restaurant; it was a gathering place that fed the community and gave back through decades of fundraisers and local support. 

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After 52 years, Cynthia said farewell with a public letter of thanks and one last dinner service on August 1st, 2023 – closing an era, but not the spirit she sparked in us. We named our restaurant Cynthia to honor the way she made people feel: welcomed, seen, and celebrated. Every warm plate and generous gesture here carries her imprint. 

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Thank you Aunt Cyn, we love you

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