LAKEPORT, Calif. – The year 2018 marks the 25th anniversary for local family owned Angelina’s Bakery & Espresso.
The first espresso shots were pulled in Lake County when Angelina’s opened in 1993 in Kelseyville.
With a small countertop convection oven, a single hand pull espresso machine, a book of cherished Italian family recipes passed down through the generations, a vision and a dream, Nina and Giacomo DeSimone established Angelina’s Bakery & Espresso as a place where people could come together to enjoy great food, coffee, a sense of community and family.
Although Nina and Giacomo DeSimone retired in 2006, passing on the family legacy to daughter Angy DeSimone-Lundeen and husband Brian Lundeen, they still enjoy stopping by frequently to visit with old friends and customers.
Traditional family recipes shared at home and still carried on today at their larger Lakeport location, Angelina’s has expanded and evolved over the years.
Always bringing something new and fresh to the community, their offerings include scratch baked pastries and breads made fresh daily, a full espresso bar with handcrafted drinks, croissant breakfast sandwiches, deli salads and sandwiches, panini sandwiches, soups, lunch salads, savory quiches, frittatas, ice cream and much more.
“Hard work, perseverance, innovation and customer loyalty have allowed us to be successful for 25 years,” said Nina DeSimone.
On the walls of Angelina’s hangs the story of their family history and how it has shaped the business they bring to the community: “Our heritage is steeped in the traditions of using our hands, patience, talents and most importantly our hearts to skillfully craft our art. Traditions spanning generations from old country Italy, to North Beach San Francisco, to Lake County, today we continue our dedication to our heritage and lifelong pursuit of happiness and success through food and family. It is our philosophy to provide the highest quality products with passion, excellence and innovation.”
Angelina’s purchases most of their products and ingredients from local California companies. “We source the finest ingredients from other small businesses right in our own Northern California backyard, where we can monitor and ensure quality standards and keep our money local,” said DeSimone-Lundeen.
Angelina’s has only scratched the surface with what they want to bring to the community. After overwhelming requests, they will be expanding their traditional faire and offer Angelina’s organic fair trade coffee, meats and cheeses for sale by the pound.
They will also be carrying a selection of local olive oil, balsamic vinegar, mustards and jams. It can all be paired with their fresh baked Pane Italiano or Italian focaccia breads.
Beginning Jan. 13, Angelina’s will again be open on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in addition to their regular hours of Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Angelina’s will be giving away a free lunch for two, everyday for a month, raffling off gift baskets featuring products, merchandise and gift certificates from Angelina’s, free giveaways and samples.
“l was with my mom and dad on the day they opened in 1993, it’s such an honor to continue our family’s passion,” said DeSimone-Lundeen.
When I was a young girl my grandmother Marie would sing a little song as we cooked together, ‘Facciamo l'impasto, facciamo un sorriso, dal mio cuore ... Let’s make the dough, let’s have a smile, from my heart to yours,’” DeSimone-Lundeen said. “I still sing that little song everyday at 4 a.m. as I‘m firing up the ovens, or sifting the flour and it always makes me smile. Thank you Lake County for an amazing 25 years, and looking forward to many more!”
