A Seat at the Table
How Stonebridge resident Sandeep Gali turned a passion for hospitality into ownership of a Chicago dining destination.
Sandeep with his wife, Archana, and their sons Aryan (left) and Arjun (right). Photo credit: Ethan Chivari Photography
Stonebridge resident Amit Maharaj caught up with neighbor, cricket teammate and friend, Sandeep Gali, the new owner behind The Franklin Room, to find out what drew him to one of Chicago's cherished dining spots, and what he has in store for its next chapter.
We have known each other for several years, but for those who haven't crossed paths with you yet, tell us a bit about yourself and your family. Hi everyone! I’m Sandeep Gali. Most people just call me Gali. My family and I have been in the Aurora/Naperville area for several years. Originally from India, I came to the U.S. for my master’s degree, built a career in enterprise tech consulting, and somewhere along the way became a restaurant owner!
None of this would be possible without my wife, Archana, the quiet strength behind everything our family does. While I’m juggling consulting, restaurant operations, cricket matches, and camera gear, Archana manages our household and raises our two active boys, Aryan (11) and Arjun (7). She is the anchor of our family.
When I’m not working or spending time with family, you’ll find me on the field with the Stonebridge Cricket Club or playing community volleyball. Outside of sports, our family lives for travel, which naturally led to my passion for landscape photography, a pursuit that has happily led to a few national award wins and been featured in the Yellowstone magazine. What I love most about this community is that neighbors know each other, kids play outside, and people genuinely look out for one another.
What made you decide to take the leap from IT to running a restaurant? Growing up in India, hospitality wasn't a profession. It was a way of life. Atithi Devo Bhava or "the guest is God", was something I absorbed long before writing a line of code. Tech consulting gave me a great career, but I believe strongly in diversification. When The Franklin Room, a beautiful speakeasy in River North came up, I saw a rare opportunity. The whiskey program, subterranean atmosphere, and intimate feel resonated with me. It provides a creative, people-facing business that balances the analytical nature of my tech work.
Taking over an existing restaurant is a huge undertaking. What was your vision? When you take over something that exists, you inherit a story and the question becomes: what chapter do you write next?
My vision wasn't to start over; the bones were too good. I wanted to elevate the soul of the place, layering on a deeper sense of warmth so every guest feels like a welcomed visitor in someone's home. The curated whiskey selection and the craftsmanship of Chef Namo in the kitchen made it a perfect fit.
Can you walk us through the recent transformation, both in the space and on the menu? Visually, we’ve incorporated lush greenery throughout the space. It softens the edges and creates a vibrant contrast against our exposed brick and moody lighting. On the menu side, we just launched a brand-new food and drink menu this August.
Chef Namo and I have created a bold new concept: American fare with Asian flavors. Think the comfort and confidence of classic American cooking infused with bold, layered Asian ingredients. Favorites like our Lamb Chops are staying but completely reimagined with these rich new flavor profiles. We’ve also completely revamped our cocktail offerings to match this energy, while maintaining our core classics like the Old Fashioned, the BeetQueen, and our signature Whiskey Keep experience.
What kind of experience do you want people to have when they walk through the door? When guests walk down those stairs, I want the outside world to disappear. There is a profound difference between being served and being taken care of. Being taken care of means someone is paying attention, anticipating your needs and welcoming you with genuine warmth. The Franklin Room isn't a place you rush through, it's a place to settle in, put your phone down, and connect. I want every guest to leave feeling like they belong.
Do you have a special message or welcome gift for our neighborhood readers? Consider this your personal invitation! The Franklin Room is built on late nights, big dreams, and a belief that guests should feel like family. As our actual neighbors, you are the guests we want to welcome most.
A Neighborly Welcome Gift
As a token of gratitude, we’re offering Stonebridge residents a complimentary welcome drink on your first visit. To claim yours, simply scan the QR code to follow The Franklin Room Chicago on Instagram and DM us "Stonebridge" to redeem. It’s our way of saying you are expected, welcomed, and part of the inner circle.
Come as you are, bring someone you love, and let us take care of the rest. We’ll see you downstairs! -- Gali & Archana
The Franklin Room
675 North Franklin Street - Chicago
Phone: 312-445-4686
Email: info@franklinroom.com
Web: franklinroom.com
Facebook: @The Franklin Room
Instagram: @franklinroomchicago