Oak Park Firefighters from Union 95 and Mr. Anthony Gambino (dark shirt second from the left)  Rejoice after a Fun  and Successful Evening of Good Cheer and Fundraising.
Oak Park Journal photo

Mrs. Luby (center) with Oak Park Firefighters, Mr. Bill
Henry (left) and Mr. Todd Johnson (right) and two of
Mrs. Luby's daughters.
Oak Park Journal photo

September 10, 2003

Cucina Paradiso, Beautiful Weather, and great
Food.
Oak Park Journal photo

Cucina Paradiso, 814 North Boulevard (just a few yards West of Oak
Park Avenue) in Oak Park is helping Oak Park Firefighters to Commemorate 911 this year.  Cucina Paradiso is inviting some 12 Firefighters from Local Firefighters Union 95 to serve customers with
their food and drinks. 

Mr. Anthony Gambino, the owner of Cucina Paradiso, has a large 
heart and a kind vision for many in need.  Mr. Gambino is going to
take one-third of all his profits for the entire evening, not just what the Firefighters bring in, but what the entire restaurant brings in that
night.  The Firefighters will then take those funds and divide it up 
equally among three charities of their choosing.  This year the
Firefighters will give one-third each to the American Red Cross (who 
are doing wonderful work around the entire world), the “Camp I am 
Me” ( a Children’s Survivor Burn Camp,where youth can visit with 
other young people and engage in fun activities) and the Lieutenant
Patrick Luby Scholarship Fund which helps area youth each year 
with an award of $1000 to a local kid on his or her way to College. 
The Lieutenant Patrick Luby Scholarship Fund was established to
honor a local Oak Park Firefighter who died on July 29, 1992 while
on duty fighting a fire in a building.  Mrs. Luby, the fallen
Firefighter’s wife will be present at the event.  Todd Johnson, Vice-President of the Union Local 95 of the Firefighters has been 
preparing his skills in drink mixing for the evening. 

Mr. Johnson, regular customer of Cucina Paradiso worked with the
owner Mr. Anthony Gambino on the evenings event.  Events of this
nature are nothing new to Mr. Gambino.

Cucina Paradiso, under the direction of Anthony Gambino has hosted
and continues to host events for the Animal Care League, Dining Out for
Life (an AIDs benefit), and a special dinner for the Hephzibah Children’s 
Association in Oak Park (a program for youth of varied backgrounds).
Some of these events have become annual events and have been going
on for some six years.  I have had several business lunches at Cucina
Paradiso, numerous graduation dinners, fundraising dinners for Oak
Park area cyclists, and just good dinners with friends.  I noticed a
couple of years ago donated food coming from Cucina Paradiso and
being given to the volunteers of the Economy Shop ( a fund raising
organization which has sales of donated items to benefit other
charitable organizations in town).  Mr. Gambino is a good neighbor
and a wonderful friend to Oak Park.  Hope to see you there soon and
did I forget to tell you, the food is fantastic too.  For reservations
please call 848-3434.  The event runs from 5:00 pm until 10:00 pm.
 

Below is a review we did in 1998
Cucina Paradiso Italian Restaurant  is  conveniently located at 
814 North Boulevard in Oak Park, half a block west of Oak Park 
Avenue and one block south of Lake Street.  Plenty of meter 
parking across the street.  Call (708) 848-3434 for carry outs. 
The paradise kitchen rates well on all counts.  The food was 
delicious and plentiful.  The service was warm without 
overpowering.  The ambiance was upbeat and interesting 
without distracting from the meal. 
     The Ravioli del Giorno consisted of fresh ravioli filled 
with Portobello mushrooms and tossed with fresh tomatoes 
and spinach.  It was a nice light summery dish.  The pizzas 
are in the Italian tradition of individual portions of grilled 
dough generously topped with vegetables, cheeses or 
sausage. 
     Appetizers and salads in the $4 to $6 range, pasta and 
entrees in the $6 to $9 range.  Extensive wine list. 
(CCV 8-5-98 lunch)