Three generations.
One recipe book.
From Nonna Maria's kitchen to the bakery on El Camino Real — the story of La Biscotteria.
Augustine & family · La Biscotteria
San Francisco roots
Three generations in the Italian-American community — from the California Macaroni Company to Nonna Maria's recipe book, passed down to Augustine.
1989
Augustine purchases a small bakery in Belmont and begins baking biscotti the way his grandmother, Nonna Maria, taught him.
1994 – 1998
Lemon, orange, and raisin biscotti join the line — each made with sweet cream butter, whole California almonds, and pure cane sugar.
2003
La Biscotteria opens in Redwood City — marble floors, cherry countertops, and a facade drawn by Augustine's own hand.
The complete history
The Buonocore family proudly traces their roots back through three generations in San Francisco's Italian-American community. First, Ciro Di Palma (Augustine's grandfather) was a co-owner of the California Macaroni Company in San Francisco. Next, Nonna Maria (Augustine's grandmother) created the legendary family recipe book, passed down to Augustine. Finally, in 1989, Augustine purchased a small bakery in Belmont, California. Augustine was soon baking Biscotti, just like his grandmother, Nonna Maria, had taught him. Today the details of the ingredients and preparation are followed meticulously and are the heart of La Biscotteria.
Augustine uses only premium quality ingredients: sweet cream butter, whole California almonds, pure cane sugar, and whole, fresh eggs. His ultimate secret is the essential oils that produce a pure, fresh flavor and a beguiling aroma. Nonna Maria's personal favorites, Lemon Biscotti and White Chocolate Dipped Lemon Biscotti, were added in 1994. Orange Biscotti and Dark Chocolate Dipped Orange Biscotti were added in 1998, and most recently, Raisin Biscotti, which goes particularly well with a glass of wine!
In October 2003, in a comfortable and unassuming way, the brand new La Biscotteria retail bakery opened for business. Augustine was the master designer with a penchant for detail — from marble floors to cherry countertops. The building's exterior facade, with its beautiful, old-fashioned appeal, follows the original hand-drawn sketch. Augustine's dream was finally realized.