Last night my husband and I made our first trip (of which I am sure will be many) to Ferrante to celebrate my birthday a little early. Now while I could have done without being seated by two obnoxious bachelorette parties - it was not worth docking their stars. The bruschetta was missing any basaltic & soggy. skip it. The artichoke dip was good however very little was more than warm. We ordered a wine sampler to know what to then order with meals. Salads were basic. Entrees however were EXCEPTIONAL. We both got the Filet Mignon with Gorgonzola and basaltic topper on a mound of melt in your mouth mashed potatoes. Oh and another glass of wine...then dessert. Hubbs cannolis were tasty and flaky. The cheesecake I ordered went wonderfully with the Raspberry wine (heightened the flavor). We took a bottle of the Vidal to go - just so we remember to go back again really soon!
(4)
Lindsay R.
If I could give this place zero stars I would. Lazy chef with no creativity could offer vegan guests in our party nothing but a pile of vegetables. Not even joking---so, SO shitty. This was for a wedding dinner they had months to plan for. Absolutely pathetic. The server literally came out and said they could offer us a "pile of vegetables" (his words). He could not even tell us which vegetables. Thanks, you obviously do not give two fucks for your guests.
(1)
Joe L.
Was there for the wine tasting, very good selection. The menu looked good. The grounds looked good for wedding's, reunions, business meetings.
(5)
Jen S.
We stopped by here for the ice wine festival and decided to stay for dinner. Charming location and scenery. It is probably really pretty in summer and fall. Food was good I had margarita pizza. Nothing special typical. The blueberry wine was really good. I will be back
(4)
Kari W.
Ferrante is my all time favorite winery. Growing up in Ohio's wine country I have had a nice variety of wine and wineries to go to. I love their pizza and their lasagna. YUM YUM. It's so nice and cozy in the winter but in the summer I love going and sitting outside and having some wine and Limoncello gelato for dessert. It is for sure my favorite dessert there! As for wines, I love their Pinot Grigio, Jester's Blush, and their Holiday Blush.
(5)
Regina S.
I will NEVER come here again. I will NEVER buy their wine again. I cannot comment on food but I can comment on service. I missed the opportunity to order because I was in line for the restroom for 30 MINUTES. The line was starting to trickle into the actual restaurant. I find it very hard to believe that there are only 3 stalls for the ladies restrooms for an establishment that seats at least 200 people. Mind you, only 1 stall worked when we were in the restaurant. The line was trailing into the restaurant when I entered it. The owner approached me because I had complained about the situation and how I could not understand that they could not get someone out there to fix it on a Saturday. She was more concerned that I dropped an "f bomb" in front of her associates rather than addressing how she is addressing the problem (I will admit I said it once because I was enraged). She was more concerned with the reputation of the restaurant than she was with addressing the problem at hand with ALL female customers on this night. I was not the only one waiting 30 minutes plus to use a toilet. I know that this will not affect their wine sales but I truly hope this prevents people from going to this restaurant, especially on busy nights. They were rude to me and did not address the problem at hand. To me, this is bad management and really puts a damper on their brand and their reputation. I hope the manager learns how to manage a business and treat customers with respect, because she certainly lost my patronage and respect tonight. Update: end of the night, we got charged $80.00 for a bottle of wine, a pizza and a small personal cake. Unacceptable. Definitely not worth it. Cake was still frozen. Wine was overpriced. The pizza was ok.
(1)
Joyce H.
This was our first time trying ohio vineyards. We chose this one because it looked pretty well run. When we arrived, the place looks as advertised - a family run winery with really well groomed grounds and restaurant. Everything else was ok. We decided not to eat there because the menu looked expensive and not spectacular. We ended up sharing a tray of 10 samples (dry to medium dry) and one ice wine sample, which is their speciality ($2 for one of those). Let's just say, stick with the dry white wines. The reds were off, don't know if it's because of the tough growing season this year. We were happy we tried it, but nothing was good enough to take a bottle home. It would also have been nice if they provided some crackers to help cleanse the palette after the samples. With 10, there's a big chance to get overwhelmed by the amount of differing flavors. Service was just okay too, didn't really feel that they were very attentive to us... Good try for our first ohio wine stop, but just still doesn't compare to the wine greats...
(3)
Jackie P.
Beautiful winery wine was decent fun place to relax and beautiful area defiantly a must when visiting local wineries
(5)
Alyssa W.
So friendly, plus we had great food there. The little shop has some nice gifts too. The tastings are generous for what you pay too.
(4)
Leonard F.
I always enjoy the patio with pizza, salad, appetizers, and wines with friends. On a nice summer evening it is a great place to go. They have a good selection of wines. Nicelace for a summer outing.
(4)
Rob H.
We arrived a 5:30 p.m. on a Friday evening after doing some wine tasting during the afternoon. We were seated inside (only option on Friday) for dinner. Our table was right beside the beverage station. The overall atmosphere was not good. There was a constant vibration, perhaps from the HVAC system that drove us crazy throughout dinner. Our service was OK, but not friendly by any means. We observed the table next us getting something different than they ordered, and it was handled very poorly. No apologies, just "I'm going to have to pay for that" from the waitress. We ordered spaghetti with meatballs and margarita pizza, thinking this would be a good choice for an Italian restaurant. We were very disappointed in the quality/taste of both meals. We also ordered an appetizer special that was not very good. The salad and bread was good, and the wine was good. We will not go back to Ferrante for dinner. We would go for wine, and maybe a cheese tray, but we would definitely sit outside, not indoors.
(2)
Karin J.
After reading other reviews, I have to say we were very pleased with the dining experience. The timing of our waitress was fine, attentive but not hovering. This is not a high maintenance crowd restaurant, no frogs legs on the menu, just good well presented food that we really liked. I told the server that I thought they ran a "well oiled machine", on a Friday night in late August it was very busy, but we got all our items in a timely fashion. We chose to sit in the dining room building to get the more elaborate dishes, but the option is to sit on the outdoor patio with more casual fare. Both areas of the restaurant were very busy. Sorry to hear some people had not so great experiences, but our first time was great!
(4)
Alana C.
Came here for lunch with my boyfriend. We sat outside and enjoyed the beautiful weather and scenery. The service was excellent. We ordered the calamari appetizer. The breading was different, not as crispy as I would have liked. But I thoroughly enjoyed my portabella panini. I added artichoke hearts to it and loved every last bite of it. I was pleasantly surprised that it came with a delicious penne pasta salad side.
(5)
Lisa K.
Ate there today and was not impressed. For the fairly high prices the food was only marginal at best. Portions smaller than most places, though many places give almost too much food. In this case it was not even really enough to feed my husband and son. The salads are pretty basic, they didn't offer to bring more bread and the taste was nothing special. Ordered a meal to go but he didn't even bring the complete meal! I had to ask for the salad that was supposed to go with it! The wine is good but the food was just not worth it! Very disappointing!
(1)
Michael C.
Disappointing trip to this winery today with the Wife. This was ranked as one of the best attractions in the area by an alternative website. We did a tasting and the wine wasn't bad, though I can't see why you pay more to get a tasting course than you would if you ordered them separately. They shorted me one cup but I didn't think it was worth complaining. Pizza was forgettable and expensive. If this is the best Geneva has to offer, then it's in trouble.
(3)
Matt Z.
First time here. Service was good food was marginal. Dont be fooled by their "paninni" its just a small cabatta sandwich. Wine was good but nothing that put it over the top. The wine process goes on in the basement and will vibrate your chair the whole time. Unless your going to try the areas different wines I wouldn't bother stopping here for food.
(2)
Pat M.
First time there. Great ambiance, heard a good singer on patio Jerry Colosimo, wine samplers $7 , bought bottle of White Cataba $16. Unfortunately food was so-so, friends said last time they went the food was delicious so maybe off day in the kitchen.
(3)
Rose P.
Been here several time. Always satisfied with food and drink. They have a good business sense.
(4)
Sarah T.
The atmosphere here is simple bliss. Summer nights in a vineyard with live bands just can't be beat. I had the a trio - eggplant parm, chicken parm, meatballs over spaghetti. It was alright.
(4)
Barry N.
Not a fan of the wines. The food is pricey. Nice atmosphere. We did several sampler trays if wines. I stil have not found one I woukd come back for. The staff was friendly and nice
(2)
Merl R.
We came here for our anniversary on 9/27/13 at 8pm with a total party of 4. We were seated promptly. The place was full and busy but they had ample wait staff working in my opinion. Our service was poor and the kitchen was very slow. It took 1 1/2 hours to eat 3 spaghetti & meat balls and 1 filet dinner. Server never asked me if I wanted more wine (IN A WINERY) and I finished my dinner wineless by the time she returned. My small $26 filet came out on a huge plate with no side. I had to ask for my side. The dining room was uncomfortably hot, not warm. And to top it all off they would not accept my new unused Visa gift card. (I used it at the next winery without incident.) Overall: The only reason they get 2 stars is because the food was very good. BUT, not good enough for the wait or experience or to recommend it to others. It's not my personality to chase around the server as some other patrons did. They offered no apologies for the wait so I have to believe it's because it's normal to them. I have no problem taking my time (like 1 1/2 hrs) eating if the staff is attentive to drinks and is polite offering the occasional update or conversation. I do not plan to return and do not recommend. IF you do go for the food be prepared to wait for it.
(2)
Bea B.
We stopped in today with the wine tour and I must say that was very impressed. I know exactly what I like and the staff was very helpful and they picked out the perfect wine. I ended up sampling the Raspberry Blanc and was very happy with it. I did try a couple others and was not as happy with them. We ended up buying a bottle so we could enjoy it from the comfort of our home. Cannot wait to go back.
(4)
Lisa Marie C.
Gorgeous! The pesto and shrimp was fabulous! Good service, nice atmosphere. I liked the Rosso red wine. Simple & refreshing.
(5)
J M.
This place is amazing. I love the food and wine. We go every year in a wine tour and this is our favorite stop Always!!!!!!
(5)
D G.
Had the chicken Rockefeller dish (not the actual name but can't recall that now). Food and service very good. Very nice atmosphere and decor - ambiance is part of the experience. Unfortunately I have low blood sugar so I could not experience the wine. It may have been the location of our seating but there were flies while I was trying to eat (inside) so I gave only four stars.
(4)
Kymberly S.
Fantastic atmosphere (we dined on the patio). Excellent food. (Must try: Pair of Canoli - creamy cool filling and crisp pastry shell). Excellent service. Wine sampler selection is fantastic.
(5)
Mark W.
Ferrante's is located in a beautiful part of Ashtabula County. They have a great wine selection. The Pinot Noir was really good if you like dry red. The live music on the patio was fun to dance to while waiting on a dinner table inside. The dinner menu is about as good as any gourmet restaurant I have been to. Food was perfect, the server had a great sense of humor and everyone enjoyed themselves. Can't wait to go back.
(4)
Christine R.
We had a large group come and rent the place out for dinner. It was $25 a person and the plate of food that we were served left me hungry. The chicken was tough, thin, and can barely be considered a servings worth. We were given one small scoop of penne pasta with a basic tomato sauce, nothing special. We were also given one small meatball, which was not bad except for the fact that I found plastic wrap in mine once I started chewing it. Needless to say, that grossed me out and was a huge disappointment. We were not allowed to get any extra, despite having paid to rent the restaurant to ourselves. There was still food left over when everyone had gotten a plate and they immediately rushed it off telling us that there was none left. The staff was very unfriendly and rude. I did not enjoy my experience here one bit. I understand if their policy is no seconds, but they should have told us that over the phone when we made plans.
(1)
Chelsea P.
Delicious. Beautiful. Chill. 'Nuff said. I ended up buying the raspberry blanc, the latest wine out. Yum! Come one a weekend when you can hear the music outside.
(5)
Jason G.
They do Italian really well, and the wines are surprisingly good. Who would expect an Ohio winery to produce truly good wines? And yet, the Cabernet Franc Reserve I had there was terrific.
(5)
Dan K.
My wife and I dined at Ferrante while on vacation in Geneva. The atmosphere was quite nice; Large dining room with a great deal of space; Plenty of windows overlooking beautiful vineyards; A large, cozy fireplace in their wine tasting room. Our waitress was kind, knowledgeable , and was eager to suggest things from the menu when asked. We skipped the appetizer but I began the meal with a glass of the "Celebration Wine" which was fantastic (spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg). The tomato bisque soup was hands down the best cup of soup I've ever tasted in my life. It was fresh, homemade, and perfectly seasoned. The meal itself was satisfactory. My wife had the pesto linguini which had a very rich and buttery pesto sauce. Despite our waitress recommending the spaghetti and meatballs, I went against better judgment and ordered the Saltimbocca (which is veal with Proscuitto ham, and a wine sauce) Shiitake mushrooms with Cabernet Franc wine sauce). Like the linguini, the dish had a nice flavor to it, but in both cases the dish was swimming in their respective sauce. In the case of both dishes, because they were drenched in sauce they were soggy in texture. My strong recommendation would be that they use about 1/4 of the amount of sauce for each dish. We, as customers, can always ask for more sauce to but I would much prefer to begin with a drizzle of sauce and ask for/add more as I chose. I feel certain some of the flavor of the veal and ham were completely lost due to overpowering amount of sauce. Afterwards, I capped off the meal with a coffee, which tasted like your typical Folgers style coffee. I understand the practicality of an average store bought coffee, but might I recommend to any restauranteurs (especially Italian) that spending a little bit more time and money on excellent coffee and perhaps at least offering the option of an espresso, would go along way in ensuring your patrons will stay and enjoy dessert. From the meal, we stepped over, through the store, to the tasting room, which, as stated before is heated by a large, cozy fireplace. We were able to sample two trays worth of wine and made out with a bottle of Merlot and a bottle of the Grand River Valley Riesling. It was a lovely date night and the staff couldn't have been more cheerful and accommodating. We will definitely return and my lesson of listening to suggestions has been learned. Cheers
(4)
Gina C.
Went with a large group for dinner with no reservation. We had a 90 minute wait, but didn't mind because we found seating in the tasting area. Would have loved to sit outside to enjoy the live music, but it was full. Everyone loved the food. Very large portions.
(4)
Jessia R.
So sorry to say that I was very disappointed with my first trip to Ferrante's. We arrived at 9:40 on Friday evening and were told that the last seating was at 9:30. I was surprised, because the website says the restaurant is open until ten. In all of my many years in the restaurant industry, I've never heard of a place that stopped seating a half an hour before the place "closes". So technically, Ferrante's restaurant is open until 9:30...not 10. Anyway, we were told we could order pizza or apps from the wine room. We did. I also ordered a glass of wine. I ordered another glass around 10:10 and was told that I couldn't have another, because they stop serving wine at 10. Seriously? I can understand telling a newly arrived customer that you were no longer serving, but a customer who is currently in your establishment eating is no longer welcome to order another drink? That's ridiculous. We got the message loud and clear that the staff was accustomed to wrapping it up and hitting the road not long after 10, so we had a couple more bits of our pizza and left disappointed. In food service, customer service and experience is key. Creating a welcoming environment is huge. You should never make it so your customers feel like they are a bother to you, even if it is close to closing time. The pizza was fine, the wine was great and the patio was beautiful...customer service, not so much.
(1)
Ashley H.
Last stop on the 7 winery tour. Probably should have been the first based upon the other clientele present, but we will call that a lesson learned. The staff wasn't too friendly in the tasting area; although I will say we were a colorful group at this point. We bought a bottle of riesling to share and got a table within 15 minutes. The food was AWESOME. We got 3 dishes to share: a large bella pizza, the lasagna special, and some sort of chicken pasta dish. We probably looked crazy just eating off each other's plates, but I don't care. There was no time to daintily divide up the the food. We were starving and in need of emergency sustenance. We also had the bruschetta app and it was incredible. You probably could have fed me cardboard with cheese and I would have been happy, but this place was just great from beginning to end. Next time this will not be number 7.
(4)
Richard H.
From time to time we like to go to Geneva on the Lake to get some wine and Corn Dog from Bob's. On our way home once we stopped in to check it out. The place is beautiful and the staff is very helpful and friendly. We didn't eat there but we did sit down with a wine sampler tray and ended up purchasing several bottles of wine. Great place to hang out and drink some wine. There is a shuttle that goes from The lodge in Geneva on the Lake. If you haven't spent a weekend getaway there, you really should.
(4)
Sean S.
Very nice Italian restaurant with a nice size outdoor space looking over their vineyard. The service was friendly and the food was excellent! I had the Ferrante Italian sampler with a giant meatball, stuffed eggplant, and chicken breast all over a plate of spaghetti & marinara sauce. My wife and I tried the Proprietors wine sampler tray that included both sweet and medium sweet wines. Since I like more sweeter wines, my preferences would be their Grand River Valley Riesling (white/which we bought) and the Pink Catawba (red). They do have live entertainment on the weekends, which I'm sure would have made the dinner even better, but we didn't stay that long. All in all, a great wine and dine spot!
(4)
Dominique K.
I'm partial to Michigan wine, but could resist trying this great looking winery/restaurant combo when we were visiting the Ashtabula area. Dinner was superb (I had the special mussels over linguine), and our server recommended the American Riesling to go with my dinner. Great suggestion, as the wine wasn't too sweet or too dry and paired nicely with my dinner. We thought the prices were pretty reasonable for a nice dinner as well (less than $55 for two dinners, a salad, a cup of soup, calamari app, coffee and two glasses of wine, plus a generous tip--I'm guessing we'd pay about $20 more for comparable dinner in the Detroit area). You couldn't beat our table...right by the window and overlooking the vineyard. I ended up stopping in Ferrante's wine store to taste their other rieslings, before ending up taking home a few bottles of the American Riesling. Again, at $10/bottle, the price seemed pretty reasonable...especially because my favorite Michigan riesling seems to run me closer to $13 or $14 per bottle.
(4)
Jarod P.
+ Great atmosphere if sitting outside during the summer time; Reasonably priced wine; Fun for large groups; Friendly and courteous staff - Food is equivalent to average, buffet-style, wedding food - When the dinner is free you say, "Hey that's not all tha
(2)
Lindsay B.
This place was quite a sight as we pulled in. It is very fancy looking. I think it is a little too comercialized for a winery, It made it less fun for us. The wines we tried were ok, but nothing to write home about.
(2)
Brian S.
Very consistent and good. Best place other than coffee creek in Ashtabula to eat.
(4)
David H.
I think perhaps the best score for Ferrante's would be about a 3.5. The place is gorgeous - very fun to hang out there. The service was very good. I liked the wine. You wont find Napa Valley gold medal winners here, but they have really come along quite nicely. The menu is varied. The food was well prepared in general, but I didnt find it to be a very unique or outstanding culinary experience. Just "good food". I definitely want to go back and try a few more menu items. I recommend this place for anyone looking for something fun and unique to do and not expecting one of Cleveland's top chefs.
(4)
Bill M.
I've always gone to Ferrante for the food, after a DUI-tempting afternoon in Ohio Wine Country. Home is over an hour away from these delectable wineries, so a little pasta and red sauce to absorb the day's indulgences is always a good idea. Their food is really, very good. A very nice touch is that they pair their wines with each dish on the menu. The Pesce Pasta and Pollo Carciofo are my recommendations for fish and chicken respectively. As for their wines, I was not a fan in my early days of going to the wineries, but given that they keep getting a look from me on their food, the wines have gotten more chances to perform, and they've delivered. I'm now a fan of their Chardonnay, Gewurtztraminer and when looking for a little light summer drinking, their Golden Bunches Dry Riesling. Expect to spend some money here as their wines are 20-25% more expensive than the other locations. I'm guessing you're paying for that building and land. It is a gorgeous place, especially at the holidays. Come here for the food, leave with a bottle or two (and some of that wine in the belly taken out of the blood stream ;-) )
(4)
Jillian N.
I ate here this weekend with my parents as kind of a last hurrah before moving to NYC. As usual, we were all completely satisfied with our meals. The lasagna is perfection. Also, they used to serve this delicious bread and oil & vinegar dip for free before your meal. It's now $3 if you want it, but I promise that it's still worth it. We also like to get the mussels, because they are covered in yummy garlic butter. Don't forget to order your favorite bottle of wine, since they are a winery after all!
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Specialities
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : No Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Loud Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes By Appointment Only : No
Jenn G.
Last night my husband and I made our first trip (of which I am sure will be many) to Ferrante to celebrate my birthday a little early. Now while I could have done without being seated by two obnoxious bachelorette parties - it was not worth docking their stars. The bruschetta was missing any basaltic & soggy. skip it. The artichoke dip was good however very little was more than warm. We ordered a wine sampler to know what to then order with meals. Salads were basic. Entrees however were EXCEPTIONAL. We both got the Filet Mignon with Gorgonzola and basaltic topper on a mound of melt in your mouth mashed potatoes. Oh and another glass of wine...then dessert. Hubbs cannolis were tasty and flaky. The cheesecake I ordered went wonderfully with the Raspberry wine (heightened the flavor). We took a bottle of the Vidal to go - just so we remember to go back again really soon!
(4)Lindsay R.
If I could give this place zero stars I would. Lazy chef with no creativity could offer vegan guests in our party nothing but a pile of vegetables. Not even joking---so, SO shitty. This was for a wedding dinner they had months to plan for. Absolutely pathetic. The server literally came out and said they could offer us a "pile of vegetables" (his words). He could not even tell us which vegetables. Thanks, you obviously do not give two fucks for your guests.
(1)Joe L.
Was there for the wine tasting, very good selection. The menu looked good. The grounds looked good for wedding's, reunions, business meetings.
(5)Jen S.
We stopped by here for the ice wine festival and decided to stay for dinner. Charming location and scenery. It is probably really pretty in summer and fall. Food was good I had margarita pizza. Nothing special typical. The blueberry wine was really good. I will be back
(4)Kari W.
Ferrante is my all time favorite winery. Growing up in Ohio's wine country I have had a nice variety of wine and wineries to go to. I love their pizza and their lasagna. YUM YUM. It's so nice and cozy in the winter but in the summer I love going and sitting outside and having some wine and Limoncello gelato for dessert. It is for sure my favorite dessert there! As for wines, I love their Pinot Grigio, Jester's Blush, and their Holiday Blush.
(5)Regina S.
I will NEVER come here again. I will NEVER buy their wine again. I cannot comment on food but I can comment on service. I missed the opportunity to order because I was in line for the restroom for 30 MINUTES. The line was starting to trickle into the actual restaurant. I find it very hard to believe that there are only 3 stalls for the ladies restrooms for an establishment that seats at least 200 people. Mind you, only 1 stall worked when we were in the restaurant. The line was trailing into the restaurant when I entered it. The owner approached me because I had complained about the situation and how I could not understand that they could not get someone out there to fix it on a Saturday. She was more concerned that I dropped an "f bomb" in front of her associates rather than addressing how she is addressing the problem (I will admit I said it once because I was enraged). She was more concerned with the reputation of the restaurant than she was with addressing the problem at hand with ALL female customers on this night. I was not the only one waiting 30 minutes plus to use a toilet. I know that this will not affect their wine sales but I truly hope this prevents people from going to this restaurant, especially on busy nights. They were rude to me and did not address the problem at hand. To me, this is bad management and really puts a damper on their brand and their reputation. I hope the manager learns how to manage a business and treat customers with respect, because she certainly lost my patronage and respect tonight. Update: end of the night, we got charged $80.00 for a bottle of wine, a pizza and a small personal cake. Unacceptable. Definitely not worth it. Cake was still frozen. Wine was overpriced. The pizza was ok.
(1)Joyce H.
This was our first time trying ohio vineyards. We chose this one because it looked pretty well run. When we arrived, the place looks as advertised - a family run winery with really well groomed grounds and restaurant. Everything else was ok. We decided not to eat there because the menu looked expensive and not spectacular. We ended up sharing a tray of 10 samples (dry to medium dry) and one ice wine sample, which is their speciality ($2 for one of those). Let's just say, stick with the dry white wines. The reds were off, don't know if it's because of the tough growing season this year. We were happy we tried it, but nothing was good enough to take a bottle home. It would also have been nice if they provided some crackers to help cleanse the palette after the samples. With 10, there's a big chance to get overwhelmed by the amount of differing flavors. Service was just okay too, didn't really feel that they were very attentive to us... Good try for our first ohio wine stop, but just still doesn't compare to the wine greats...
(3)Jackie P.
Beautiful winery wine was decent fun place to relax and beautiful area defiantly a must when visiting local wineries
(5)Alyssa W.
So friendly, plus we had great food there. The little shop has some nice gifts too. The tastings are generous for what you pay too.
(4)Leonard F.
I always enjoy the patio with pizza, salad, appetizers, and wines with friends. On a nice summer evening it is a great place to go. They have a good selection of wines. Nicelace for a summer outing.
(4)Rob H.
We arrived a 5:30 p.m. on a Friday evening after doing some wine tasting during the afternoon. We were seated inside (only option on Friday) for dinner. Our table was right beside the beverage station. The overall atmosphere was not good. There was a constant vibration, perhaps from the HVAC system that drove us crazy throughout dinner. Our service was OK, but not friendly by any means. We observed the table next us getting something different than they ordered, and it was handled very poorly. No apologies, just "I'm going to have to pay for that" from the waitress. We ordered spaghetti with meatballs and margarita pizza, thinking this would be a good choice for an Italian restaurant. We were very disappointed in the quality/taste of both meals. We also ordered an appetizer special that was not very good. The salad and bread was good, and the wine was good. We will not go back to Ferrante for dinner. We would go for wine, and maybe a cheese tray, but we would definitely sit outside, not indoors.
(2)Karin J.
After reading other reviews, I have to say we were very pleased with the dining experience. The timing of our waitress was fine, attentive but not hovering. This is not a high maintenance crowd restaurant, no frogs legs on the menu, just good well presented food that we really liked. I told the server that I thought they ran a "well oiled machine", on a Friday night in late August it was very busy, but we got all our items in a timely fashion. We chose to sit in the dining room building to get the more elaborate dishes, but the option is to sit on the outdoor patio with more casual fare. Both areas of the restaurant were very busy. Sorry to hear some people had not so great experiences, but our first time was great!
(4)Alana C.
Came here for lunch with my boyfriend. We sat outside and enjoyed the beautiful weather and scenery. The service was excellent. We ordered the calamari appetizer. The breading was different, not as crispy as I would have liked. But I thoroughly enjoyed my portabella panini. I added artichoke hearts to it and loved every last bite of it. I was pleasantly surprised that it came with a delicious penne pasta salad side.
(5)Lisa K.
Ate there today and was not impressed. For the fairly high prices the food was only marginal at best. Portions smaller than most places, though many places give almost too much food. In this case it was not even really enough to feed my husband and son. The salads are pretty basic, they didn't offer to bring more bread and the taste was nothing special. Ordered a meal to go but he didn't even bring the complete meal! I had to ask for the salad that was supposed to go with it! The wine is good but the food was just not worth it! Very disappointing!
(1)Michael C.
Disappointing trip to this winery today with the Wife. This was ranked as one of the best attractions in the area by an alternative website. We did a tasting and the wine wasn't bad, though I can't see why you pay more to get a tasting course than you would if you ordered them separately. They shorted me one cup but I didn't think it was worth complaining. Pizza was forgettable and expensive. If this is the best Geneva has to offer, then it's in trouble.
(3)Matt Z.
First time here. Service was good food was marginal. Dont be fooled by their "paninni" its just a small cabatta sandwich. Wine was good but nothing that put it over the top. The wine process goes on in the basement and will vibrate your chair the whole time. Unless your going to try the areas different wines I wouldn't bother stopping here for food.
(2)Pat M.
First time there. Great ambiance, heard a good singer on patio Jerry Colosimo, wine samplers $7 , bought bottle of White Cataba $16. Unfortunately food was so-so, friends said last time they went the food was delicious so maybe off day in the kitchen.
(3)Rose P.
Been here several time. Always satisfied with food and drink. They have a good business sense.
(4)Sarah T.
The atmosphere here is simple bliss. Summer nights in a vineyard with live bands just can't be beat. I had the a trio - eggplant parm, chicken parm, meatballs over spaghetti. It was alright.
(4)Barry N.
Not a fan of the wines. The food is pricey. Nice atmosphere. We did several sampler trays if wines. I stil have not found one I woukd come back for. The staff was friendly and nice
(2)Merl R.
We came here for our anniversary on 9/27/13 at 8pm with a total party of 4. We were seated promptly. The place was full and busy but they had ample wait staff working in my opinion. Our service was poor and the kitchen was very slow. It took 1 1/2 hours to eat 3 spaghetti & meat balls and 1 filet dinner. Server never asked me if I wanted more wine (IN A WINERY) and I finished my dinner wineless by the time she returned. My small $26 filet came out on a huge plate with no side. I had to ask for my side. The dining room was uncomfortably hot, not warm. And to top it all off they would not accept my new unused Visa gift card. (I used it at the next winery without incident.) Overall: The only reason they get 2 stars is because the food was very good. BUT, not good enough for the wait or experience or to recommend it to others. It's not my personality to chase around the server as some other patrons did. They offered no apologies for the wait so I have to believe it's because it's normal to them. I have no problem taking my time (like 1 1/2 hrs) eating if the staff is attentive to drinks and is polite offering the occasional update or conversation. I do not plan to return and do not recommend. IF you do go for the food be prepared to wait for it.
(2)Bea B.
We stopped in today with the wine tour and I must say that was very impressed. I know exactly what I like and the staff was very helpful and they picked out the perfect wine. I ended up sampling the Raspberry Blanc and was very happy with it. I did try a couple others and was not as happy with them. We ended up buying a bottle so we could enjoy it from the comfort of our home. Cannot wait to go back.
(4)Lisa Marie C.
Gorgeous! The pesto and shrimp was fabulous! Good service, nice atmosphere. I liked the Rosso red wine. Simple & refreshing.
(5)J M.
This place is amazing. I love the food and wine. We go every year in a wine tour and this is our favorite stop Always!!!!!!
(5)D G.
Had the chicken Rockefeller dish (not the actual name but can't recall that now). Food and service very good. Very nice atmosphere and decor - ambiance is part of the experience. Unfortunately I have low blood sugar so I could not experience the wine. It may have been the location of our seating but there were flies while I was trying to eat (inside) so I gave only four stars.
(4)Kymberly S.
Fantastic atmosphere (we dined on the patio). Excellent food. (Must try: Pair of Canoli - creamy cool filling and crisp pastry shell). Excellent service. Wine sampler selection is fantastic.
(5)Mark W.
Ferrante's is located in a beautiful part of Ashtabula County. They have a great wine selection. The Pinot Noir was really good if you like dry red. The live music on the patio was fun to dance to while waiting on a dinner table inside. The dinner menu is about as good as any gourmet restaurant I have been to. Food was perfect, the server had a great sense of humor and everyone enjoyed themselves. Can't wait to go back.
(4)Christine R.
We had a large group come and rent the place out for dinner. It was $25 a person and the plate of food that we were served left me hungry. The chicken was tough, thin, and can barely be considered a servings worth. We were given one small scoop of penne pasta with a basic tomato sauce, nothing special. We were also given one small meatball, which was not bad except for the fact that I found plastic wrap in mine once I started chewing it. Needless to say, that grossed me out and was a huge disappointment. We were not allowed to get any extra, despite having paid to rent the restaurant to ourselves. There was still food left over when everyone had gotten a plate and they immediately rushed it off telling us that there was none left. The staff was very unfriendly and rude. I did not enjoy my experience here one bit. I understand if their policy is no seconds, but they should have told us that over the phone when we made plans.
(1)Chelsea P.
Delicious. Beautiful. Chill. 'Nuff said. I ended up buying the raspberry blanc, the latest wine out. Yum! Come one a weekend when you can hear the music outside.
(5)Jason G.
They do Italian really well, and the wines are surprisingly good. Who would expect an Ohio winery to produce truly good wines? And yet, the Cabernet Franc Reserve I had there was terrific.
(5)Dan K.
My wife and I dined at Ferrante while on vacation in Geneva. The atmosphere was quite nice; Large dining room with a great deal of space; Plenty of windows overlooking beautiful vineyards; A large, cozy fireplace in their wine tasting room. Our waitress was kind, knowledgeable , and was eager to suggest things from the menu when asked. We skipped the appetizer but I began the meal with a glass of the "Celebration Wine" which was fantastic (spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg). The tomato bisque soup was hands down the best cup of soup I've ever tasted in my life. It was fresh, homemade, and perfectly seasoned. The meal itself was satisfactory. My wife had the pesto linguini which had a very rich and buttery pesto sauce. Despite our waitress recommending the spaghetti and meatballs, I went against better judgment and ordered the Saltimbocca (which is veal with Proscuitto ham, and a wine sauce) Shiitake mushrooms with Cabernet Franc wine sauce). Like the linguini, the dish had a nice flavor to it, but in both cases the dish was swimming in their respective sauce. In the case of both dishes, because they were drenched in sauce they were soggy in texture. My strong recommendation would be that they use about 1/4 of the amount of sauce for each dish. We, as customers, can always ask for more sauce to but I would much prefer to begin with a drizzle of sauce and ask for/add more as I chose. I feel certain some of the flavor of the veal and ham were completely lost due to overpowering amount of sauce. Afterwards, I capped off the meal with a coffee, which tasted like your typical Folgers style coffee. I understand the practicality of an average store bought coffee, but might I recommend to any restauranteurs (especially Italian) that spending a little bit more time and money on excellent coffee and perhaps at least offering the option of an espresso, would go along way in ensuring your patrons will stay and enjoy dessert. From the meal, we stepped over, through the store, to the tasting room, which, as stated before is heated by a large, cozy fireplace. We were able to sample two trays worth of wine and made out with a bottle of Merlot and a bottle of the Grand River Valley Riesling. It was a lovely date night and the staff couldn't have been more cheerful and accommodating. We will definitely return and my lesson of listening to suggestions has been learned. Cheers
(4)Gina C.
Went with a large group for dinner with no reservation. We had a 90 minute wait, but didn't mind because we found seating in the tasting area. Would have loved to sit outside to enjoy the live music, but it was full. Everyone loved the food. Very large portions.
(4)Jessia R.
So sorry to say that I was very disappointed with my first trip to Ferrante's. We arrived at 9:40 on Friday evening and were told that the last seating was at 9:30. I was surprised, because the website says the restaurant is open until ten. In all of my many years in the restaurant industry, I've never heard of a place that stopped seating a half an hour before the place "closes". So technically, Ferrante's restaurant is open until 9:30...not 10. Anyway, we were told we could order pizza or apps from the wine room. We did. I also ordered a glass of wine. I ordered another glass around 10:10 and was told that I couldn't have another, because they stop serving wine at 10. Seriously? I can understand telling a newly arrived customer that you were no longer serving, but a customer who is currently in your establishment eating is no longer welcome to order another drink? That's ridiculous. We got the message loud and clear that the staff was accustomed to wrapping it up and hitting the road not long after 10, so we had a couple more bits of our pizza and left disappointed. In food service, customer service and experience is key. Creating a welcoming environment is huge. You should never make it so your customers feel like they are a bother to you, even if it is close to closing time. The pizza was fine, the wine was great and the patio was beautiful...customer service, not so much.
(1)Ashley H.
Last stop on the 7 winery tour. Probably should have been the first based upon the other clientele present, but we will call that a lesson learned. The staff wasn't too friendly in the tasting area; although I will say we were a colorful group at this point. We bought a bottle of riesling to share and got a table within 15 minutes. The food was AWESOME. We got 3 dishes to share: a large bella pizza, the lasagna special, and some sort of chicken pasta dish. We probably looked crazy just eating off each other's plates, but I don't care. There was no time to daintily divide up the the food. We were starving and in need of emergency sustenance. We also had the bruschetta app and it was incredible. You probably could have fed me cardboard with cheese and I would have been happy, but this place was just great from beginning to end. Next time this will not be number 7.
(4)Richard H.
From time to time we like to go to Geneva on the Lake to get some wine and Corn Dog from Bob's. On our way home once we stopped in to check it out. The place is beautiful and the staff is very helpful and friendly. We didn't eat there but we did sit down with a wine sampler tray and ended up purchasing several bottles of wine. Great place to hang out and drink some wine. There is a shuttle that goes from The lodge in Geneva on the Lake. If you haven't spent a weekend getaway there, you really should.
(4)Sean S.
Very nice Italian restaurant with a nice size outdoor space looking over their vineyard. The service was friendly and the food was excellent! I had the Ferrante Italian sampler with a giant meatball, stuffed eggplant, and chicken breast all over a plate of spaghetti & marinara sauce. My wife and I tried the Proprietors wine sampler tray that included both sweet and medium sweet wines. Since I like more sweeter wines, my preferences would be their Grand River Valley Riesling (white/which we bought) and the Pink Catawba (red). They do have live entertainment on the weekends, which I'm sure would have made the dinner even better, but we didn't stay that long. All in all, a great wine and dine spot!
(4)Dominique K.
I'm partial to Michigan wine, but could resist trying this great looking winery/restaurant combo when we were visiting the Ashtabula area. Dinner was superb (I had the special mussels over linguine), and our server recommended the American Riesling to go with my dinner. Great suggestion, as the wine wasn't too sweet or too dry and paired nicely with my dinner. We thought the prices were pretty reasonable for a nice dinner as well (less than $55 for two dinners, a salad, a cup of soup, calamari app, coffee and two glasses of wine, plus a generous tip--I'm guessing we'd pay about $20 more for comparable dinner in the Detroit area). You couldn't beat our table...right by the window and overlooking the vineyard. I ended up stopping in Ferrante's wine store to taste their other rieslings, before ending up taking home a few bottles of the American Riesling. Again, at $10/bottle, the price seemed pretty reasonable...especially because my favorite Michigan riesling seems to run me closer to $13 or $14 per bottle.
(4)Jarod P.
+ Great atmosphere if sitting outside during the summer time; Reasonably priced wine; Fun for large groups; Friendly and courteous staff - Food is equivalent to average, buffet-style, wedding food - When the dinner is free you say, "Hey that's not all tha
(2)Lindsay B.
This place was quite a sight as we pulled in. It is very fancy looking. I think it is a little too comercialized for a winery, It made it less fun for us. The wines we tried were ok, but nothing to write home about.
(2)Brian S.
Very consistent and good. Best place other than coffee creek in Ashtabula to eat.
(4)David H.
I think perhaps the best score for Ferrante's would be about a 3.5. The place is gorgeous - very fun to hang out there. The service was very good. I liked the wine. You wont find Napa Valley gold medal winners here, but they have really come along quite nicely. The menu is varied. The food was well prepared in general, but I didnt find it to be a very unique or outstanding culinary experience. Just "good food". I definitely want to go back and try a few more menu items. I recommend this place for anyone looking for something fun and unique to do and not expecting one of Cleveland's top chefs.
(4)Bill M.
I've always gone to Ferrante for the food, after a DUI-tempting afternoon in Ohio Wine Country. Home is over an hour away from these delectable wineries, so a little pasta and red sauce to absorb the day's indulgences is always a good idea. Their food is really, very good. A very nice touch is that they pair their wines with each dish on the menu. The Pesce Pasta and Pollo Carciofo are my recommendations for fish and chicken respectively. As for their wines, I was not a fan in my early days of going to the wineries, but given that they keep getting a look from me on their food, the wines have gotten more chances to perform, and they've delivered. I'm now a fan of their Chardonnay, Gewurtztraminer and when looking for a little light summer drinking, their Golden Bunches Dry Riesling. Expect to spend some money here as their wines are 20-25% more expensive than the other locations. I'm guessing you're paying for that building and land. It is a gorgeous place, especially at the holidays. Come here for the food, leave with a bottle or two (and some of that wine in the belly taken out of the blood stream ;-) )
(4)Jillian N.
I ate here this weekend with my parents as kind of a last hurrah before moving to NYC. As usual, we were all completely satisfied with our meals. The lasagna is perfection. Also, they used to serve this delicious bread and oil & vinegar dip for free before your meal. It's now $3 if you want it, but I promise that it's still worth it. We also like to get the mussels, because they are covered in yummy garlic butter. Don't forget to order your favorite bottle of wine, since they are a winery after all!
(5)