This October, Oak Park’s Cucina Paradiso is celebrating its 27th birthday — no small thing in the restaurant world. The key to Kusina’s success? Great food and great community.
According to owner Anthony Gambino, the anniversary is truly something to be proud of. “For a restaurant to thrive this long is a story in itself, and we have a real sense of accomplishment and credit to our customers.
Gambino credits Oak Park with much of his restaurant’s success. He values his neighborhood, and likes to be known as a true neighborhood restaurant. He has seen his clients grow over the years. Parents used to bring little kids to eat at Cucina Paradiso, and now those kids are adults, they bring their kids too.
“They’re more than customers, they’re family,” Gambino said. “Our staff understands the regulars. We know what they want to eat, what they drink and where their favorite table is.”
Gambino made the restaurant an integral part of the Oak Park community from the start. Hosting local charities for benefits and events and serving the kind of food that keeps customers coming back again and again. Gambino notes that the emphasis at Cucina Paradiso is always on fresh, fresh food. The menu changes slightly every few weeks and food choices rotate with the season.
Cucina Paradiso fills the tables, striking a balance between old favorites and new creations. Staples like customer favorites Rigatoni Bolognese and Chicken Pistachio have been on the menu since the beginning, and Gambino’s works to introduce new and seasonal dishes while also reflecting the evolving tastes of their customers. On the chef’s specialty menu, expect to find dishes like pumpkin ravioli with brown butter white wine sauce, and crispy sage and orecchiette Calabrese with chiles, sausage and pesto. These tempting specials join Cucina Paradiso’s timeless classic creations such as Shell Country Style, Chicken Pistachio and San Gennaro Pizza.
Raising a glass in a birthday toast at Cucina Paradiso is an easy task. The well-stocked bar has a cocktail list full of drinks like the Blackberry Old Fashioned, the Sazerac and the Hemingway District Daiquiri. A wide variety of martinis, including classic gin and vodka offerings as well as creations like the Firefly made with sweet tea vodka, lemonade, black tea and fresh lime juice.
Looking ahead, Gambino promises that Cucina will continue to evolve with future restaurant updates and menu changes, but one thing will never change: Cucina Paradiso will remain the hometown for authentic Italian cuisine.
Paradise kitchen
814 North Blvd., Oak Park
(708) 848-3434
cucinaoakpark.com
