Alba Owner to Open New Restaurant Zef Cicchetti & Raw Bar in Quincy MA

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Update Zef Cicchietti has opened as of  Tuesday January 10th 

The owner of Quincy Center’s  Alba Restaurant  will be opening  Italian   Venetian-influenced eatery next in November 2016.    The    owner Leo Keka  said he  will  open  Zef Cicchetti & Raw Bar at 1472 Hancock St. – It is part of the Hancock District Expansion 

Named for Keka’s father, Jozef Keka, who passed away last year in his native Albania, Zef Cicchetti & Raw Bar will offer communal dining, a raw bar, pastas made in-house each day and traditional cicchetti – or Venetian small plates.

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Cicchetti is the following…

Common cicchetti include tiny sandwiches, plates of olives or other vegetables, halved hard boiled eggs, small servings of a combination of one or more of seafood, meat and vegetable ingredients laid on top of a slice of bread or polenta,[1] and very small servings of typical full-course plates. Like Spanish tapas, one can also make a meal of cicchetti by ordering multiple plates. Normally not a part of home cooking, the cicchetti’s importance lies not just in the food itself, but also in how, when and where they are eaten: with fingers and toothpicks, usually standing up, hanging around the counter where they are displayed in numerous bars, osterie and bacari that offer them virtually all day long. Venice’s many cicchetti bars are quite active during the day, as Venetians (and tourists) typically eat cicchetti in the late morning, for lunch, or as afternoon snacks. Cicchetti are usually accompanied by a small glass of local white wine, which the locals refer to as an “ombra” (shadow).

 

The Albanian coast was once part of the Republic of Venice, so the two regions share a strong historic, cultural and culinary bond that will inspire Zef Cicchetti & Raw Bar.

Keka has also hired former Legal Harborside executive chef Keith Andersen, whose family owned the former Village Steakhouse in Weymouth.

Andersen,  will serve as executive chef for Alba and develop Zef’s menu. He studied at the New England Culinary Institute and has worked in several other Boston kitchens, including Craigie on Main and Franklin Southie. Andersen also studied the cicchetti concept while living in Venice.

Here is the Swampie   buzz on Alba

Dinner Alba Quincy,
sat at bar for a drink before dinner. the bartenders we’re very friendly and attentive.Sat at a table for dinner, I had the rib-eye,
cooked perfectly my wife had the surf and turf., excellent dinner.
the server was great, the only thing was we felt rushed by the server. 5 star restaurant.

Went tAlba Quincy  Tuesday dollar oysters-delicious, then this beauty came from the seafood sampler; crab legs, lobster, little necks, and of course shrimp cocktail . Enjoyed the roof deck with excellent service!

Alba. Quincy Center. An unplanned, where should we go for a late afternoon-breakup the drive from Boston-rush hour-hey why not indulgence. Could not have been a better choice, thanks Swampies!  Wish I could remember the name of the cocktail – delicious! Jenna, our server at the bar was great and attentive, plus her colleagues. We met Leo (owner?) who was self admittedly new to FB, and introduced him to this group. He was so surprised by all of your comments and posts & I’m pretty sure he’ll be reading this today!
We enjoyed: calamari (from Leo- light, perfect, delicious just right spicy sauce!), oysters (cold and omg yum!), plus a shared dry-aged steak (Jenna helped us pick and recommended Med rare & the Alba steak sauce) and a shared lobster roll (classic buttered roll, plenty of meat and fresh tarragon). Celebrating again – big and small – we added dessert, too & bananas foster and a bread pudding were savored.
Because of you, Swampies, and the search feature – “Quincy” inside the group, we had one of the most delicious meals ever. We look forward to another visit!

Finally got to experience Alba Quincy last night with the Patriot’s Day $20.16 per entree. We arrived on the early about 4:30 and got a nice booth. It was quiet then. Prompt service and a plenty of attention through out the meal. I had the scallops, lobster and shrimp pasta dish, which was delicious in a light cream sauce and my friend had the steak, which looked great and it was she reported. Definitely a special occasion place, but when I saw that price special we went for it. The place was packed by the time we left at 6.

Just want to start by saying the service here is impeccable. The staff thinks of every little thing you need or want BEFORE you can even think of it! Started with bread and butter, nothing exciting, just meh. I got a wedge salad that was fresh and delish. Definitely home made dressing, which was a plus. My husband got the surf and turf special. He said the lobster was amazing, yet the filet seemed under seasoned. I got the pasta bolognese, wouldn’t be my choice next time. It had an odd taste to it, I just can’t put my finger on what it was. Dessert was divine! Pics below 🙂 Definitely recommend for a wine and dine night out with your loves