Albania-born Zeke Plava opens restaurant on West Main

February 10, 2019

New business – Tuscany Italian Restaurant 021019 — Kimberly Rubio|Leader-News Tuscany Italian Restaurant owner Zeke Plava (back right) and staff pose for a picture outside the entrance of the newly-opened business, which is located at 432 W. Main St.

Kimberly Rubio

Assistant editor

When Albania-born Zeke Plava traveled to America in the early 1990s he brought with him a passion for cooking delectable Italian cuisine.

Armed with family recipes and a desire to accomplish the American Dream, Plava opened a variety of restaurants in New York and Texas, including a recently opened Tuscany Italian Restaurant at 432 W. Main St. in Uvalde.

Plava made the move to America in 1991 and became an American citizen in 1995. He and his wife, Nafie, raised three children, all of whom were born in the United States.

“We love this country. It gave us opportunity to work, support our family and our country,” Plava said. “I came here when I was 27 years old. Now I’m 55, so I spent more life here.”