American appeal, the Kosovar way

by Una Hajdari28/11/2014 - 14:10

By Una Hajdari

Nestled between a handful of tall apartment buildings at a walking distance from the Zahir Pajaziti square, Lulu’s Coffee and Wine is the newest addition to Prishtina’s café scene. Coffee culture is an essential part of the lifestyle for the capital’s denizens, both young and old. Lulu’s combines tried-and-tested services with new offerings, currently attracting a young and hip clientele.

The cafe will look very appealing to the occasional passerby. The interior is reminiscent your typical American coffee shop chain, featuring exposed brick walls and muted colors like warm gray, brown and black – which can be seen from the outside due to the glass panel walls along the front of the café.

Not surprisingly, Lulu’s is bustling during lunchtime. If you decide to sit inside, you can choose to sit at one of the small square tables meant for four, or at a long laptop table on the right side of the café.

The food options on offer are minimal but affordable. There are three types of fresh sandwiches: beef or chicken prosciutto and a vegetarian option. The sandwiches come in two sizes, the smaller coming in a mixed seed bun (1.50 euro) and the larger in a French baguette, sold for two euro.

Although mainly thought of as a cafe, Lulu’s also offers a typical variety of alcoholic drinks and in the evenings you can nibble on appetizers including, a potato dish, chicken fingers or rolls. The prices range from two euro for the potatoes to eight euro for the appetizer or “meze” plate, which includes your standard mix of prosciutto, a variety of cheeses, tomato slices and crackers.

What might prove to be the most appealing element of the new café are the American products it offers, including regular and diet Doctor Pepper and Starbucks coffee and frappuccinos. These comes prepackaged, in either a tin can or a plastic bottle, which might be disappointing for those hoping to get a fresh sample of the popular drink (or at least an instagram-able Starbucks takeaway cup). These cost a pretty penny, starting from 4.90 euro for the Starbucks Frappuccino, to a whopping 6.80 for the 0.5l bottle of the Starbucks Doubleshot Energy. These hefty prices might prove to be quite a strain for the purses of young Kosovars, who are used to their affordable 1 euro macchiato – which are also on offer.

For those with a sweet tooth, Lulu’s offers affordable croissants in the chocolate and plain variety for a euro each, vanilla and chocolate filled donuts at 1.50 each, and by far their best product, chocolate or vanilla muffins at 1.80 each. The muffins, unlike most places that make them in Kosovo, are chewy, much like fudge brownies and are sprinkled with chocolate chips on top.

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Like many a cafe in Kosovo, Lulu’s as a book section. Those on the left as you enter the cafe are for sale. If you’re just looking for something to read while you sip your coffee or expensive packaged coffee product, browse through the books on the laptop table.

28 November 2014 - 14:10

Lulu’s

ADDRESS

Edit Durham Street, after Ben Tatlises Doner/Mexican restaurant, Prishtina center.

OPENING HOURS

Monday-Friday, 8am-midnight Sundays, noon-midnight

CONTACT

Facebook Page

Prishtina Insight is a digital and print magazine published by BIRN Kosovo, an independent, non-governmental organisation. To find out more about the organization please visit the official website. Copyright © 2016 BIRN Kosovo.