Jim Cafarelli CEO

Considered one of the nation's most trend-setting restaurateurs, Jim Cafarelli has to his credit more than 25 years of experience in dining and entertainment concept and venue development. As a consultant, his impressive client list includes David Copperfield's Late Night Magic, House of Blues, Motown, Universal Studios-Orlando, Walt Disney Co. and Quincy Jones.

In 1988, he co-founded CAFCO Development Inc., a Boston-based concept design and construction management company specializing in the restaurant industry. After selling CAFCO to his partner and current owner, Joe Thibert, Mr. Cafarelli went on to become the exclusive developer of the famed House of Blues, for which he opened locations in Cambridge, New Orleans, Los Angeles,Chicago, Myrtle Beach, Orlando's Walt Disney World, Anahiem's Disneyland and the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.

As a follow-up to this success, in 1998 he co-founded The Olive Group Corp., which opened 10 restaurants, including Olives in New York, Aspen, and Washington, D.C., as well as Kingfish Hall, Bonfire, and Rustic Kitchen in Boston, and Tuscany in the Mohegan Sun Casino.

After years of partnerships, Cafarelli decided to branch out on his own. Today, Cafarelli is the founder of his own restaurant company, owning and operating two Rustic Kitchens in the Greater Boston Area.

Rustic Kitchens are located in Hingham at the Derby Street Shoppes and in Boston at Park Square and is a lively but classic Italian Mediterranean bistro. Everything is made on premise, including all the breads, pastas and desserts. Rustic Kitchen combines a distinctive menu of Italian & Mediterranean award-winning cuisine with a comfortable atmosphere of good music and dramatic (but rustic) decor. The restaurant is designed to allow for maximum customer enjoyment, with an exposed pasta station where our customers can, again, watch the Chef make fresh pasta daily in the restaurant. Also featured is a wood burning oven, which is the focal point of the dining room.

Mr. Cafarelli proudly announces their newest location at the Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs P.A. to open summer of 2008.