Menu: homemade wines, comfortable atmosphere

Joe Biscotti had tried to retire a couple of times.
By TIM YOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
HUBBARD -- The aroma of freshly grilled hot peppers and slow-simmering Italian sauce saturates the warm atmosphere.
"It's nothing fancy. It's cute, and it's quaint," says Joe Biscotti of Conneaut, a professional golfer turned restaurateur, who owns Biscotti's Winery and Pasta on state Routes 7/62 at Interstate 80 in Hubbard Township.
Before he opened the restaurant a year ago, the 61-year-old Biscotti knocked out walls of the former minimotel to open the space.
Three areas were decorated to become the Dean Martin Room, Frank Sinatra Room and Sammy Davis Jr. Room.
"They're my favorites," Biscotti said of the entertainers, who have since died. He had met Martin, who was originally from Steubenville.
The fourth space was filled with Hungarian barrels to age some of the wines Biscotti makes and serves. Locally bought sausage hangs on racks to dry in the wine room, adding to the rich aroma.
Beer and spirits aren't available at the restaurant, but eight types of wines made by Biscotti and five others made for him by other wineries are available. He's able to sell them with his wine manufacturing license.
In the Sammy Davis Jr. Room, customers can play old 45 and 78 rpm records of their choice on a 1950s player. The Sinatra room is just large enough for a party of five, with a private bathroom.
Open atmosphere
Biscotti's philosophy is that people go out to eat primarily for the service. "You have to feel comfortable" is his rule.
People get up from their tables and talk to customers at other tables or stand in front of the open kitchen to watch their food being prepared by the chef, Larry Avalos of Ashtabula.
Biscotti didn't always make wine and operate restaurants. He started out as a professional golfer.
In 1980, he opened an Italian eatery in Chagrin Falls. But by the mid-80s, Biscotti developed a kidney ailment and was on dialysis. He eventually had a kidney transplant in 1991.
Biscotti planned to retire but ended up as part owner and golf pro at Conneaut Shores Golf Course.
He started feeling better and opened Biscotti's Restaurant and Wine Experience in Conneaut with a business partner, to whom he later sold the business.
Besides his Hubbard restaurant, Biscotti operates Biscotti's Family Winery in Conneaut, where most of his wines are made.
He had retired in 1998 after a bout with cancer and open-heart surgery. About two years ago, he was contacted by the owners of nearby Truck World to open the restaurant.
Biscotti manufactures between 3,000 and 4,000 gallons of wine annually in Conneaut and 500 to 1,000 gallons in Hubbard.
He said his restaurant differs from other Italian restaurants because of the homemade wines.
Customers by season
Biscotti explained that his Conneaut restaurant attracted customers from the Hubbard and Sharon, Pa., areas during the summer. They now show up at the door of his Hubbard restaurant when the weather is cold.
Biscotti's is open from noon to 9:30 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. He spends the rest of the time with his wife, Nancy, and their two children, Dina and Larry.
Biscotti plans to expand. He'll open an outside patio during the summer, and he's applied for a beer and liquor license so he can offer a cocktail menu.
He's also looking to provide entertainment. Biscotti said he's a friend of Michael Stanley, who has promised to perform with his Michael Stanley Band in June.
yovich@vindy.com