By MADELINE NGUYEN
The UNITY News

Just around the corner from McCormick Place near Al Capone’s old headquarters at the now-demolished Lexington Hotel, Chef Luciano serves up an eclectic array of dishes.

Most customers at the tiny restaurant order carry out from a menu influenced by Italian, Indian, African and southern cuisine. But regulars and VIPs get to eat at a cozy table tucked in the back of the kitchen.

Name plaques of the famous and not-so-famous who have eaten at Chef Luciano line the walls of the secret room. They include: Eric Clapton, Eric Benet and Halle Berry.

“Queen Latifah comes all the time and cooks with us,” said the chef from his kitchen as he sautéed boneless chicken.

The 68-year-old chef goes by an alias, Luciano. But his real name is Dave Gupta. He said he wanted a new name with street cred among the dodgy characters in the once run-down neighborhood who attempted to shake him down for money. Plus, Italian food was becoming more popular.

Gupta was born in New Delhi, India. His family was too poor to afford school books, but the most valuable thing he learned wasn’t from school; it was from his mother.

As a young boy, he pretended to wash pots and pans for an extended period while watching his mother cook. She shooed him out of the kitchen. Cooking was a “girl’s job,” she would say. But Gupta didn’t listen.

The blend of spices he uses comes from his mother. He still cooks one of her dishes, which he named “Premium Chicken” ($11.95).

Gupta arrived in New York City with only 25 cents in his pocket nearly 40 years ago. Within hours of setting foot in this country, he landed a job at a burger joint; he was paid only 80 cents an hour, but appreciated the free uniform and food.

Gupta opened Chef Luciano in Chicago 18 years ago with a mission to serve generous portions of low-priced healthy food. He often sits down with regulars in his kitchen and catches up on their days over a chilled bottle of wine.

“Food without wine is like life without sunshine,” he said.

If You Go:
49 E. Cermak Rd. (22nd St. between Michigan and Wabash)
Open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mon-Sat (closed Sun)
312-326-0062
www.chefluciano.com

topic: Entertainment
tags: Chef Luciano, Food In Chicago

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