When I was going to university in the states, it was customary to try different places to eat. One of those places was a well-known chain of restaurants called the “Olive Garden”. The atmosphere was mainly geared toward married couples and average families with children, but most importantly a good place to eat.
Well, the other day, I discovered the Albanian version of the “Olive Garden” in Fushe-Dajti (on the foothills of mountain Dajti in Tirana). In reality, this restaurant was in no way similar to the type of restaurant I had found in the states, but very much like that in name and trees!
- First, it had the very same Albanian name – Ullishtja (which translates as olive garden)
- Second, it had real big olive trees J
- Third, it was targeted mainly to families with children (outside games)
- Fourth, there was sometime a queue before getting seated (on weekends only).
In fact, that was all I could think of comparatively as similar to the restaurants in the states.
In reality, it was more of a “picnic garden with olive trees”.
I cannot deny the fact that I enjoyed very much the ability to sit outside among the olive trees and general greenery. There were children playing everywhere and families eating on green plastic tables and chairs (much like a picnic).
Service and cuisine
I should disclaim that the food and service were rather unattractive.
- First, the waiters would take a bit longer to serve you (though mainly due to service load)
- Second, the cuisine was basic barbecue meats and general salads.
- The meat was cooked rather quickly, thus slightly burned on the surface and hard to chew. However, it was bio, which did taste good.
In conclusion
The best thing about the place was the outside area where you could truly enjoy the greenery and the olive trees.
For an alternative place to eat you can try the restaurant next door, which has been there years before this one, but rather closed and not very picnicy!
