“Mare E Monte is still a baby, ” Mare E Monte owner Prince Blakaj said. “He needs to grow up a bit more. He needs to learn from his mistakes.” Credit: Courtesy Photo / GoodFood Branding & Marketing

Name: Prince Blakaj
Job: Owner, Mare E Monte
Birthplace: Istog, Kosovo
Years in food service: Six
Big Impact: Blakaj, a survivor of the Kosovo War, knew he wanted to open up his first restaurant in San Antonio in homage to the members of the U.S. armed forces who kept him safe as a child. April will mark Mare e Monte’s first anniversary.
Money Quote: “I moved to Military City USA because I wanted to live amongst my heroes, the members of the military who decided to give their life away and go serve overseas.”

Local military service members frequently stop by Mare E Monte after they hear your story about growing up during the Kosovo War. What’s a recent visit that stuck with you?

I met a guy whose son was born on Aviano Air Base in Italy. Aviano Air Base has a very special place in my heart because that’s where the F-16s came from that saved my life, my family’s life and the lives of my fellow countrymen and -women. So, for me, Aviano Air Base has a special place in my heart, so meeting people that were born there or served there is very special for me.

Describe the ambience at Mare E Monte.

If you want to experience what feels like fine dining with reasonable prices, where you feel like family, you feel like home, come to Mare E Monte. You will be treated the best way somebody can treat you. We call it unreasonable hospitality. We are here to take care of you.

Any plans to open a second location?

Not right now. Mare E Monte is still a baby. He needs to grow up a bit more. He needs to learn from his mistakes. I would move somewhere else in the Medical Center just to have a bigger kitchen. That’s the only reason I would do it.

What are some of your go-to dishes at Mare e Monte?

My Albanian heritage has a big influence on all the flavors on the menu. Some of my favorites are the Bronx Vitello Parmigiana, the Calamari all’ Arrabbiata and the Pollo e Monte. We’re excited about some new menu items coming up soon. We’re gonna add more flavors that San Antonio hasn’t [experienced] and more dishes San Antonio hasn’t heard about, and some options for gluten-sensitive guests.

What do you hope guests take away from your life story, so far?

This is the story I want to continue to tell: to let everybody know how important American values are for people all over the world, and whenever these people think that America is doing too much, I think America is being what it is supposed to be.

Why did you want to move to San Antonio and choose to open your first restaurant here?

I moved to Military City USA because I wanted to live amongst my heroes, the members of the military who decided to give their life away and go serve overseas — they didn’t know if they would come back alive. I have high respect for people that are willing to die so other people can live and thrive, so other people can do whatever they are supposed to do in life. So, the respect for them and the ability to live amongst my heroes is just more than I ever deserved in my life.

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This article appears in Apr 2-15, 2025.