Alfred Limani and his wife, Vjosa Berisha, opened Amore in 2017 with a third partner, but the two took over full management and ownership in October of that year. Although the business is now going well, Berisha said the original period of transition was difficult, and she even needed her 80-year-old parents’ help.
“It was so emotional that very often on my way here from home, I would cry,” Berisha said. “When business started to grow and customers were loving it every day, my heart was exploding from happiness.”
Limani said when the restaurant first opened, the menu had a lot of fried items, including onion rings and french fries.
But now, it is much more refined, with fresh vegetables and more authentic Italian food, he said.
Berisha said Amore is well known for its seafood and pastas, such as shrimp scampi. But she said all of the menu items are fairly popular.
“Our menu is great. ... It’s very
simple and very nice,” Berisha said.
Berisha said longtime friends and customers Kay and Gilbert Bazan have begun working on a new location for Amore, which they plan to open in early 2020.
“They are bringing such a gorgeous building, and they are giving us such a wonderful opportunity to grow,” Berisha said.Berisha said the new venue will be located at 14860 Hwy. 105 W., Montgomery.
She said the new location will have a 150-seat capacity and an outdoor patio with an additional 50 seats and a full bar. The new location will also have a piano, a VIP section and a meeting room.
“The new Amore is going to be completely, very high, fine dining,” Berisha said. “It’s something different ... than what is in the area. Completely different style.”
The restaurant has also hired an Italian food consultant to improve and expand the menu with a wider wine selection and more authentic Italian dishes. Berisha said they will keep the restaurant’s favorites dishes, but hope to expand and improve other dishes.
“The prices are not going, much, to change. We will strive to have even better quality [and] more dishes, but the prices, we hope, will not increase,” Berisha said.
Amore will continue serving customers from its current location until it officially moves.
Berisha said she and her husband have been “blessed” by the love and support of the community as the restaurant has grown.
“You put your heart here, and God takes care of it,” Berisha said.
