Meatballs to Mozart – that more or less describes the journey of Dan Dalpra who owns the Italian Fisherman in Bemus Point. The Ohio native opened the restaurant in his wife’s hometown in 1982. He has since expanded multiple times, spurred development in Chautauqua County, and created the popular Bemus Bay Pops concert series. As he celebrates 35 years in business, Dalpra, a licensed pilot, has no regrets about giving up his aviation career for a high-flying stunt in the restaurant business. And he has more plans in the works, including a creative effort to bring love to Chautauqua Lake.

Question: What do you think is extra special about the Italian Fisherman?

Dalpra: The fact that we have multiple restaurants in one - we have the main restaurant specializing in Italian food. The lower Watergrill has more lighter fare. The Fish Tank is an offshore, floating clam bar where boats can tie up. This year we opened up Lago di Vino, which is an Italian wine garden where you can sit, looking at the lake, and have light Italian street food out there.