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The Chef

Francesco Cusimano

Chef Francesco Cusimano owner of Rustico Ristorante and Pizzeria in Murrieta came to America from Italy in 1992, two years after meeting his wife Filippa on the warm sandy beaches of Sicily, but his romance for food began many years before his love for Filippa.

Inspired by his mom’s passion for food he knew from an early age that cooking was his destiny. Having worked in his uncle’s restaurant in Sicily, as a youngster, he learned firsthand to never sacrifice the quality of the food that you are going to use for cooking. He was always amazed by what his mom could make with simple ingredients. “I remember waking up in the hot summer days in Sicily with the wonderful smell of the marinara and basil sauce allover the house or the aroma of fried eggplant handpicked from the farmer’s market”.

As a young immigrant, Francesco had to learn everything from scratch once again. He first went to school to learn English and while still learning, Francesco worked as a Chef at Dominic’s Italian Restaurant in Carlsbad, one of the restaurants owned by his wife’s family. It was there that he learned how to please the American palate.

A few years later the opportunity of a life time came knocking at the door. Francesco was hired by one of the most successful companies in all of California, Ladeki Restaurant group, where he became chef operator in charge of 14 restaurants scattered throughout California, Nevada and Arizona. Here is where he met and worked with many talented chefs from varied backgrounds including Executive Chef Jeff Moock and Chef-Owner Stephen Window from Ropongi located in La Jolla California. “I consider Chef Steve my best friend after my father” he says. While Working at Ropongi with Chef Steve, Francesco learned the art of fusion cooking while acquiring a taste for Asian and Pacific Rim cuisine, all the while gaining invaluable experience.

Francesco opened his first Pizza shop in 2000 and kept it for three successful years. He then sold it to move to Murrieta California where he teamed up with Joseph Cusumano to open one of the most successful restaurants in the valley.

His cuisine is simple, rustic and very flavorful with a bit of Asian flair and it’s that same simplicity infused with traditional and personal touch that is the core of Rustico’s menu. “A full service, sit-down family restaurant was always my dream” said Francesco. Rustico is a place where he takes traditional Italian recipes and ambiance that makes customers feel like they’re in his hometown of Italy! This is the experience Francesco brings to the table at Rustico.

Chef Francesco has been pleasing palates at Rustico’s since they opened in August of 2004, and he continues to evolve the menu and the wine list, so you, your family and friends can have an unforgettable experience.

Ciao a tutti
(Translate “Hello to all”)


Co-Owner

Filippa Cusimano

Filippa Cusimano born and raised in Monroe, Michigan you could say was born into the restaurant business. Her parents began their first restaurant before she was even born.

Growing up she came to work with mom and dad and gradually started to help out. Working at their family restaurant was not the dream job Filippa had hoped for, but she new it well and was good at it, and continued to work. Soon she was old enough to go out and do her own thing and began a new career in the beauty business.  Working as a hair stylist for almost ten years, she was happy to help out mom and dad every once in a while. Filippa never thought she would be back in the restaurant business. While on vacation in Sicily Filippa found romance and the man who would bring back the old family business once again. Once Francesco and Filippa were married they pursued Francesco’s dream of owning an Italian Restaurant some day. In 2000 they embarked on their first restaurant in Oceanside. Filippa helped her husband with the daily operations; working side by side toward building their business, which soon became a successful Italian eatery. Unfortunately, the time came to sell the place after moving to Murrieta, and needing a place a little closer to home. Filippa’s family was growing with the birth of their daughter and then their son, so it was time to expand the family business too. Rustico opened in August 2004! Filippa assisted in the design of the restaurant’s rustic décor and now manages the front of the house. Filippa is also the events coordinator for special events and V.I.P dinners.  Filippa has always had a warm and friendly smile which has made it easy making new acquaintances part of her Rustico family.

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