Exploring Manhattan's 100 Restaurants 47: First Try of Albanian Cuisin

Today, I stumbled upon Çka ka Qellue on Google Map nearby, which has an impressive 1.5k reviews and a 4.8 rating. After checking out the overwhelmingly positive reviews, I decided to give Albanian cuisine a try. The restaurant's decor is quite charming, with a nostalgic countryside vibe. 🌺 Ajvar 🌟🌟🌟🌟 It reminds me a bit of the roasted pepper sauce often mentioned by Yi Fan Feng Shen (a popular food blogger). Made from sweet peppers, it's not very spicy. Spread on the pita-like bread (samuna) provided, it's absolutely amazing. But honestly, the samuna itself is the star of the show, the best thing on the menu. I couldn't resist ordering three more ($2 each). 🍞 Tava Dheut 🌟🌟🌟 This is a stewed liver dish, baked to perfection. The liver is cooked to just the right tenderness and can be spread on the samuna, which adds a nice aroma. However, it can get a bit too rich if you eat too much. 🍖 Tava Kosi 🌟🌟🌟 This yogurt-baked lamb dish is said to be Albania's national dish, so I had to give it a try. The yogurt and egg custard layer is an acquired taste for me. The lamb is okay; the leg meat is a bit bland, but the lamb belly is more flavorful. 🍖 Mixed Grill Platter 🌟🌟🌟 This platter combines three classic meats: qebapa (small sausages), qofte (round meatballs), and sausage. I really enjoyed the qebapa and qofte, but the other sausage was a bit too sour and salty for my taste. 🍖 📍 Çka Ka Qellue 118 E 31st St, New York #100RestaurantsChallenge #foodie 🌆🌿