Qebaptore, A Bite of Europe

By: Michelle Fasig

Hidden in the heart of Suwanee, a little gem serving authentic European cuisine has newly opened. Qebaptore, A Bite of Europe is a fast casual dining establishment run by Owner and professionally trained Chef Fatmir Murtezi, who recreates dishes influenced by his Swiss, Italian and Kosovan background. Using fresh, local ingredients, and preparing everything from scratch in house, the dishes served by Chef Murtezi invite you to be whisked away on a culinary adventure of flavor.

Growing up Chef Murtezi recalls spending a lot of time in the kitchen helping prepare dishes for himself and his family. “I was a really picky eater, ” he points out. In turn, he would find ways to recreate his favorite dishes without using certain ingredients. The art of substitution was something that he credits to pushing his culinary boundaries creatively. And it was perhaps this inspiration that drove him to dive headfirst into a culinary career at the young age of 15.

After spending the next years of his life working his way up through the competitive ranks of the kitchen, Chef Murtezi was able to open his own restaurant in Switzerland, called The International Kitchen of Switzerland and Italy. His unique twist on European flavors was met with success and allowed him the opportunity to embark on a food tour of Europe, eating his way through countries such as Spain, Portugal and France. He finally settled back into his home country of Kosovo and it was there he met his wife who inspired him to move to America.

In the four short years Chef Murtezi has lived in the United States, he did not image he would again this quickly be the owner and head chef of his own restaurant. However, his determination to continue to dedicate his life to all things culinary led him down this path. After settling down in Atlanta, Chef Murtezi realized there was a niche in the market for authentic European cuisine. In a mission to bring the local flavors of Europe to the Metro Atlanta area, Qebaptore, A Bite of Europe was born.

With dishes like the Pljeskavica, a delicious combination of a juicy beef patty served on a warm pita bread with onions and cucumber and the Kaseschnitte, a large piece of crusty bread served with melted Grueye cheese and tomatoes topped with an over-easy egg, it is easy to see why in the few short weeks they have opened their doors they have already garnered a local following.

Each dish on the menu receives the same amount of attention from Chef Murtezi as they are all made from scratch. Using only fresh ingredients, all of his sauces, cakes, and pastries are made from his personal collection of recipes that he has amassed over two decades in the culinary industry in an effort to provide his customers with the most authentic, delicious meal possible. Favorites like the beef Burek, a homemade flaky filo dough surrounding a flavorful blend of ground beef and onion, as well the authentic tiramisu have already made this a go-to place for the lunch crowd.

When asked what serves as his motivation, Chef Murtezi’s response was simple, “the people. To serve them and have them show me the WOW effect, that is why I serve food. It is about experience, soul and passion. To give them a different experience. To watch them have that first bite.”

And while tradition rings through every aspect of Qebaptore, A Bite of Europe, Chef Murtezi’s laid back attitude makes you feel as though he is inviting you into his home and treating you to a delicious meal from his kitchen. With an atmosphere that makes you feel as though you are momentarily transported to Europe coupled with the delicious authentic cuisine, Qebaptore, A Bite of Europe allows for customers to have a truly exceptional dining experience.