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"La Casa"/ Italian taste in the heart of Pogradec

2025-05-28 14:29:00, Qyteti im CNA

In a city known for its tradition and characteristic food like Pogradec, a gastronomic innovation is increasingly attracting the attention of locals and tourists. “La Casa” is the newest restaurant in the city, which brings the taste of Italy, the freshness of the sea and elegance in every detail. With Neapolitan pizzas, artisanal pastas and a rich sushi menu, this restaurant is bringing another level of service and cuisine to Pogradec.

"La Casa"/ Italian taste in the heart of Pogradec

Arben Balliu, chef and manager of the restaurant, tells CNA TV that he and his brother decided to bring something different to the lakeside city, beyond traditional restaurants. They have focused on Neapolitan pizzas, fresh pastas and seafood. Recently, they have also added sushi, prepared by a Thai chef. With over 15 years of experience, both domestically and internationally, Arben says that this professional journey has been crucial for creating a high standard at “La Casa”. For him, experience is the key to success.

" After a long experience, my brother and I decided to open a restaurant. Seeing that the city of Pogradec only had traditional restaurants, we decided to open an Italian restaurant, mainly with Neapolitan pizza, fresh pasta and seafood dishes. Recently we have also added sushi with a Thai chef. Our experience is at least 15 years, both domestically and abroad. Normally it has been very valuable. Experience is always worth a lot ," said Balliu.

The restaurant has been carefully designed. The décor includes symbolic elements such as flowers, in keeping with Pogradec’s epithet of “the city of flowers”, as well as an aquarium connected to the lake. Wood is a dominant element, creating a warm and authentic atmosphere, especially in combination with the pizza oven.

" There are a few things we wanted to have in our restaurant. By explaining this to the architect, the restaurant's decor was created. Flowers, in keeping with the name of our city, which is the city of flowers, and an aquarium that is connected to the lake. Even wood, the combination of pizza and wood is fantastic ," said the administrator.

The secret of the pizzas lies in the 24-hour fermented dough and the use of always fresh Italian products. Fresh pasta is produced in the restaurant, while seafood dishes and seasoned meats are carefully selected.

" The special thing about the pizza dough is the 24-hour fermentation, as well as selecting fresh, Italian products. Fresh pasta that is mainly produced by us. Seafood dishes that we often supply, as well as seasoned and local meats ," said Balliu.

Sushi is the newest item on the menu and, according to Balliu, has sparked a lot of curiosity. Customers are drawn to the aesthetics and unique taste of this cuisine, which includes products such as oysters, shrimp, salmon and fresh tuna.

" Sushi is a new cuisine and people are very curious to try it. In general, everyone is satisfied. It is a new taste, with small, aesthetic, beautiful things. There are many types, mainly composed of seafood dishes starting from oysters, viola shrimp, simple shrimp, salmon, tuna fish which is taken fresh. They liked it a lot ," he said.

Customer reviews are very positive. Pizzas, pastas and seafood dishes are the most popular. While requests for traditional dishes are rarer, the restaurant also offers the famous koran fish, prepared on the grill or in a casserole with old Pogradec recipes.

" In general, the customers' impressions are very good. Their favorites are pizza, pasta and seafood. Because we are mainly focused on Italian cuisine, very few ask for traditional dishes. Pogradec is known for its koran fish that we serve on the grill and in a pan. We have two types in the pan, one is with oil and vinegar, and the other with onion and tomato. Both are old traditional recipes of the city ," said the administrator of "La Casa:.

Pogradec is increasingly visited by tourists, mainly from Tirana and various European countries. Visitors appreciate not only the food, but also the fresh climate, the lake and the hospitality of the people of Pogradec.

" Mainly tourists from Tirana visit Pogradec more, while from abroad there is diversity. Many tourists come from all over Europe. It is increasingly visited. They like the air, the lake, the freshness, the good, hardworking and polite people. We will continue with the restaurant by bringing new recipes and good products to serve people as best as possible ," says Balliu.

"La Casa" is not just a restaurant, but an experience that combines taste, aesthetics and hospitality.

With a passion for cuisine and a desire to always offer the best, Arben Balliu and his team are bringing a new standard to the lake city. Pogradec now has not only a natural wealth, but also a gastronomic destination to visit./ CNA