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27 For 17 years, people have been returning to Alba restaurant in Quincy thanks to its unparalleled food, atmosphere and customer service. The upscale restaurant and steakhouse has one of the most extensive wine lists in the entire state and offers dry aged steaks, as well as top-tier seasonal seafood, house-cured charcuterie and delicious desserts. Alba's owner, Albanian native Leo Keka, came to America in 1990. His path to Boston involved almost unfathomable circumstances. Living under a violent Cold War Communist dictatorship, at age 22 Keka fled the oppression in Albania by swimming across a lake into Yugoslavia while soldiers shot at him. He was then held for months in a refugee camp until a charity flew him to freedom in the United States. Needing a job, Keka looked to the restaurant business, as he had always loved food and wine. He spent seven years working at Anthony's Pier 4, and then four years at Grill 23. The full extent of his American dream came true in 2001 when he opened Alba. "I wanted to create a place that gave people on the South Shore the same high-end food, atmosphere and wine as Boston restaurants without the hassle of driving into the city." Alba fits the bill with its exquisite menu, list of over 600 wines, including ports and dessert wines, and a full bar that manages to be spacious and intimate at the same time. The wall that separates the bar from the beautiful, quiet dining room doubles as an enormous wine fridge. Their steaks are made from organic, farm-raised Brandt beef, and they serve the freshest, local seafood in-season. Their Atlantic cod is a work of art, made with marbled fingerling potatoes and a mussel chowder that they smoke with bacon. In addition to their superb steaks, Keka is partial to the double cut pork chop with a mustard glaze sauce, made from the highest-end pork available. If you miss the Glover caesar salad from the now- closed Anthony's Pier 4, you can find it at Alba. For sweet-lovers, a chef creates desserts in-house each day. Alba is a place where people can gather and enjoy each other's company for any season or occasion. In the summertime, their outdoor bar seats almost 300 people. Alba is creating a new outside bar which will open for summer 2019. Alba has two rooms available for private events: the Madison Room on the second floor which seats 70, and the Wine Room which seats 20. For your social, business and family occasions, Alba offers its delicious cuisine and provides you with a personal event coordinator to assist with all the details. The staff at Alba is dedicated to providing quality service and a happy atmosphere. "People work very hard," says Keka, "and when they treat themselves to something special by going to a nice restaurant, it's up to us to make sure they're enjoying themselves." With its corner location, inviting decor and huge windows, Alba is a welcoming setting that is perfect for celebrating the memorable moments of life. On New Years Eve, Alba offers a special menu and two seatings, as well as a great party. "We have a band, a DJ, party favors and noisemakers. People are here until about 3 am," says Keka. Alba also has a special romantic Valentine's Day menu. During most of the year Alba only serves dinner, but in December they offer lunch Sunday through Friday so that, during the holidays, hard workers can take a break and enjoy a nice meal. Keka also owns a casual dining restaurant and raw bar across from Alba named Zef, after his father, that serves dinner Monday through Saturday. Keka is proud to be part of the South Shore community. "Quincy is a wonderful city with so much to offer; two presidents are from here and it has such an incredible history." Keka also gives back to his native Albania, raising money for handicapped people and homeless children there. Recently, Alba raised $25,000 to help a cancer patient in Albania. This interest in people, at home and abroad, is evident in the way that Alba and its staff treat everyone who walks through its doors. "We look at you as a special guest, not a dollar bill," says Keka. "We want our customers to say, 'We had a wonderful time and we can't wait to go back'." Alba's popularity for 17 years is a testament to the fact that people are saying exactly that. Alba is located at 1486 Hancock Street in Quincy. Gift cards are available. 617.376.2522. www.albaquincy.com You can also find them on Facebook and Twitter. ALBA RESTAURANT: Premier Dining on the South Shore By Erica Ford, photography by Kerry Riordan TheSouthShoreMagazine.com