Jim Rua

Jim Rua is a restaurateur, author, and former New York State public servant based in Albany, New York. He is the author of six books, including five works on Italian cooking and travel and The Astounding Revelations of Lucifer AI — the first sustained interrogation of an AI about its own nature, desires, and danger.

Jim established Café Capriccio (Albany, NY) in 1982 and remains a ubiquitous presence in the kitchen and in the dining room. During more than 40 years of Café Capriccio’s existence Jim has been praised for culinary, literary, and community achievements, and he has taken hundreds of patrons to Italy for memorable Italian culinary and cultural holidays.

Café Capriccio was established the year Jim's son Franco was born—Franco Rua is now Jim’s “padrone” leading the Café Capriccio team into the next generation. Franco has also co-authored two of the Café Capriccio books: Cafe Capriccio - Cooking Lessons with Jim Rua and Franco Rua: Homage to the Italian Mediterranean Diet and Fattoria Lavacchio - Cafe Capriccio’s Vineyard Home in Tuscany: Cook like a Tuscan: Fearless and with Inspiration. In addition to these titles Jim has solo authored two more cookbooks and a memoir; all available on Amazon. If you wish to know more visit the Café Capriccio website for photos, more about the Rua family recipes, and the real story concerning Albany New York’s most celebrated Italian restaurant.