Çka Ka Qëllu — Restaurant in Stamford

Cka Ka Cellu is an absolute culinary gem that I recently had the pleasure of experiencing, and it left an indelible impression on me. From the moment I stepped through the doors, I knew I was in for a treat. The restaurant's ambiance was inviting and immediately transported me to a different world. The attention to detail in creating an atmosphere that truly reflects Albanian culture is nothing short of breathtaking.

But let's talk about the star of the show - the food. The Albanian cuisine offered at Cka Ka Cellu is nothing short of amazing. It's a rare find to come across a place that not only serves a cuisine that's not as widely known but does it with such authenticity and excellence. Each dish was a flavorful journey, and it was evident that the chefs take pride in using the finest ingredients and traditional recipes.

I had the pleasure of trying a variety of dishes, from the savory Byrek to the mouthwatering Tavë Kosi. The flavors were rich and authentic, giving me a taste of Albania that I had never experienced before. The Baklava for dessert was a sweet and satisfying end to the meal, and it showcased the skill of the kitchen in both savory and sweet dishes.

The service at Cka Ka Cellu was top-notch. The staff was attentive, knowledgeable, and more than willing to guide us through the menu, helping us make the perfect selections. It's clear that they're passionate about what they do, and it reflected in their friendly and professional service.

What truly sets Cka Ka Cellu apart, aside from its remarkable cuisine, is the way it immerses you in Albanian culture. The decor, the music, and the small cultural details throughout the restaurant make it an immersive experience. It's not just a meal; it's a cultural journey that makes you feel like you've stepped into the heart of Albania.

I'm incredibly glad to have found Cka Ka Cellu. It's a testament to the power of authentic, well-executed cuisine and the way it can transport you to a different place and time. If you're looking for a culinary adventure and a taste of Albanian culture done right, Cka Ka Cellu is the place to be. It's a dining experience that's as close to...

I traveled all the way from New Hampshire to celebrate New Year's Eve among Albanians, excited to enjoy traditional food and music. I even booked two nights at the Hyatt specifically for this occasion. Unfortunately, my experience at this restaurant was extremely disappointing.

I have been to other Çka Ka Qëllu restaurants before and always had a great experience, so I was expecting the same level of service and hospitality. Unfortunately, that was not the case.

We placed our order before 10 PM, yet the only thing that arrived at our table was a cabbage salad—no appetizers, no other dishes. Meanwhile, we drank two bottles of wine on empty stomachs, simply because we had nothing else.

After several complaints, the first dish finally arrived at 12:45 AM—nearly THREE HOURS LATER!!!!!!!!!! By then, eating meat in the early hours of the morning no longer seemed appealing. We canceled the rest of our order (which still hadn't arrived) and took our food to-go.

In total, we spent nearly $700 for 2 people to celebrate the New Year hungry and frustrated. It is truly unacceptable that the restaurant prioritized overcrowding and profit over customer experience. Guests who made the effort to travel and invest in a special night should not be treated this way.

To make matters worse, I messaged them on Instagram before writing this review, hoping to address my concerns privately, but they never replied.

This kind of mismanagement and lack of consideration for customers is unforgivable, especially on such an important celebration. I sincerely hope the owners take this feedback seriously and improve their service, because this was not the kind of hospitality I expected from a fellow Albanian establishment.

PS: The only positive experience was the live singers, who were great and the only reason this evening was slightly tolerable. We paid $250 just for the entrance for me, my husband and my little one (which I found odd to charge a little child). At this point, even though we were being starved, it was too late & we were already too invested in this dinner to consider going...

i've been to their bronx location which is always good, but the stanford one was a bad experience, the only thing that's good is the decor, i went with my husband for dinner & were quickly seated & had to yell our order because the music was soo loud, the bread, cheese peppers & salad were good, we waited forever for 1 meat platter we ordered to share & the manager came to say they were out of a few things because they had been busy but the order was coming, he gave my husband a free glass of wine in the meantime, it finally arrived almost 45 min & we got bits & pieces of meat & nothing was substituted, only the side veggies were good but at that point it was late & we were starving, this was also the first time we've ever had to ask a waiter to turn down the music because we couldn't even hear ourselves talk (no we're not old) the music on the first floor has a sound system above almost every table, so even if we moved it wouldn't make a difference, the check came & we thought they'd at least give us a discount, but they didn't, we've worked in the restaurant business & if a costumer has been waiting a long time esp when it's not busy & the items for their order have run out, you substitute, offer other items, lower the price on the order, or at the very least give a free dessert but whatever, the manager seemed to be talking with his guests at a table the entire time rather than go into the kitchen & say what's going on with the order for this table?! we gave it another try a few months later & did not have a good experience again, service needs a big improvement!

....can't seem to reply directly to the owner's comment, but there was no live music in both of my visits, it was just the cd playing, so the music was thankfully turned down when i asked on the 1st & that was the first time i had ever asked for the music to be adjusted in...