COJE Management Group has redefined dining and cocktails in Boston. Founded by Chris Jamison and Mark Malatesta, the group blends old-world hospitality with diverse culinary influences to deliver memorable experiences. Culinary director Tom Berry draws on flavors encountered during travels through South America, Cuba, Japan, Southeast Asia and France, creating menus that reflect global inspiration. Each restaurant is uniquely designed in-house with stylistic cues from different regions, making them essential stops for visitors and locals alike.
COJE’s rise was not without hardship. The pandemic hit the restaurant industry hard, and COJE faced those challenges directly. To support team members through the crisis, the group offered severance-style payments while operations were suspended, providing financial relief and continuity at a time when many in the industry struggled.
Yvonne’s Library Lounge © Richard Cadan
During the strictest lockdowns, COJE committed to supporting employees financially for as long as funds allowed, covering up to 75 percent of an employee’s typical earnings until reopening. The group also maintained employee healthcare benefits and advocated for the restaurant community at the State House, driven in part by Jamison’s advocacy.
As venues reopen and business activity returns, COJE continues to prioritize a supportive workplace while upholding the culinary and service standards that define its restaurants. Its newest concept, Coquette, is a modern coastal French brasserie inspired by Southwest France and Northern Spain. The menu incorporates touches from French Polynesia, Algeria and Tahiti to showcase Boston’s seafood, and the wine list features more than 350 European and North American selections.
Mariel © Richard Cadan
For a taste of Havana in Boston, Mariel brings Cuban flavors to the historic Atlantic National Bank building’s basement. The restaurant highlights a curated rum collection, including rare bottles displayed at the cocktail bar, and a menu of authentic dishes such as Cuban-style pizza and churrasco steak, alongside Havana-inspired cocktails crafted to complement the food.
Yvonne’s reimagines the classic supper club with a modern sensibility, focusing on social dining through Middle Eastern, Mediterranean and European flavors. The menu features shareable plates designed for communal dining, paired with a selection of rare wines and inventive cocktails. Yvonne’s Library Bar is a standout: more than 2,000 colorful books surround intimate couch seating, creating an elegant atmosphere that evokes early 20th-century glamour.
RUKA © Richard Cadan
RUKA showcases the bold, hybrid flavors of Nikkei and Chifa cuisines, blending Peruvian, Japanese and Chinese culinary traditions. Influenced by immigrant communities in Peru, these cuisines combine techniques and ingredients to produce dynamic dishes. RUKA’s menu includes social plates like sushi, ceviche and wok-fried rice, while cocktails highlight Peruvian pisco and Japanese whisky for distinctive flavor pairings.
For those seeking a lively atmosphere that blends dining, bar culture and nightlife, Lolita Cocina & Tequila Bar delivers a spirited experience. Inspired by Mexican street food and elevated flavors, the menu features snacks, tacos and larger shared plates ideal for groups. The restaurant’s design—described as part outlaw, part royalty—complements a beverage program centered on margaritas by the glass or pitcher, as well as sangrias and mojitos.