Executive chef Enton Mehillaj and his wife Oriola Koci, the owners of Livia’s Dish, have opened a second restaurant in Worcester. Altea’s Eatery has taken over the space formerly occupied by Shiraz, an Armenian restaurant.
Mehillaj and Koci bought the building and renovated it extensively. Diners who were Shiraz “regulars” will recognize the dining area when they first walk in, but that is where the similarities end. The new restaurant features a French theme and boasts modern décor, including a window and exposed brick wall in the dining room – features that were not there before. Mehillaj says the window and wall were part of the original building, and were uncovered during the renovations.
Koci says that the items served at Altea’s differ from those available at Livia’s Dish, and give a French twist to American classics. She says she and her husband were inspired by the food they enjoyed on a recent visit to Montreal, as well as memories of a trip to Paris. With these inspirations, Mehillaj has devised his own style of pain perdu (French toast), French onion soup, and crepes, and added them to the men.
Altea’s is named for the couple’s youngest daughter, and Livia’s Dish is named in honor of their older girl.
Establishments like these can benefit by working with flyer printing companies, which can create handouts inviting people to try new places.
