New Kensington shot-and-a-beer bar transformed into foodie haven

Three self-described foodies have created a new dining and drinking experience in New Kensington.

Friends and business partners Dante Cicconi, Corey Pistininzi and Sean Watson have opened botL, which Watson describes as “a restaurant with a bar.”

The menu features 19 wines and 14 beers. Pistininzi makes a signature Old-Fashioned that’s “unbelievable,” Watson said.

The “small plates” menu includes seared tuna, pork belly, naan and “charcuterie,” described as “assorted meats, cheeses and whatnot.”

“At heart, we’re all foodies,” Cicconi said.

Sandwiches, or “between bread” as the menu says, include prosciutto, muffuletta, a “New Cuban” with braised short rib, a salmon BLT and a steak sandwich with “flat iron angus reserve cooked to temp with portabello and fontina cheese.”

“It’s not bar food,” Watson said. “You won’t find a fryer here.”

And no pizza.

The small, unassuming building at 1716 Freeport Road had been a neighborhood bar for decades.

It was the Hilltop Tavern for nearly 50 years, owned and operated by James Lagoon, a World War II Army veteran from Lower Burrell who died at 99 in January 2016. A “shot-and-a-beer” type place, Hilltop was known for its po’ boy sandwiches, Watson said.

The building became Wyo’s Pub and, most recently, J&B’s Bar.

Cicconi, 38, is a landscape architect and New Kensington councilman.

Pistininzi, 49, lives in New Kensington, where he owns and operates Modfinish and is part-owner of The Bloser Mansion.

Watson, 40, of Lower Burrell operates Sustainable Matters, a supplier of architectural materials, and runs a construction business, Rustbelt Revision, with Pistininzi, and owns properties and rentals in New Kensington.

They are partners in a project to turn the former Dattola Theater in downtown New Kensington into an event and entertainment space.

They bought J&B’s primarily for its liquor license, intending to transfer it to the Dattola. They closed on the purchase in March — on the same day Gov. Tom Wolf ordered a shutdown of businesses because of the covid-19 pandemic.

With the Dattola on hold because of the pandemic, the trio saw an opportunity to do something at the former bar, and took the time to create it during the shutdown.

“We turned lemons into lemonade,” Watson said. “We took the time to do the things that needed to be done.”

That included a complete renovation of the interior, damaged and stinking from years of smoking. It’s been decorated with wood patterns from U.S. Steel and lights salvaged from the demolished Metal Working Machinery building in New Kensington.

Essentially one room, the kitchen and its new equipment are visible, as is the still functional and refurbished 1930s walk-in cooler that was original to the building. Once obscured, it now is part of the decor.

“That cooler, itself, is a work of art,” Pistininzi said.

Despite having only a few narrow windows, the interior is bright, with an open ceiling painted black. The awning that long adorned the building’s facade was removed and the front repainted. Larger windows to make it feel more open are in the plans, Pistininzi said.

“We’re really happy with our results,” Watson said. “We’re not finished yet.”

Not part of the decor are televisions or a juke box — it’s not a sports bar.

“We wanted there to be a real experience in here,” Watson said. “We created an atmosphere here with the decor, the music, the lighting.”

If not for the shutdown, botL would have opened in June; instead, it opened, quietly, in October. Easing into opening under covid restrictions with limited seating and hours, Watson said the reception has been overwhelmingly positive, with word-of-mouth spreading.

“We’re grateful for the support we’ve received so far,” Watson said.

In the near future, they plan to add salads and dinners, such as scallops, and beers on tap. Pistininzi said the wine selection will increase, with imported Italian wines and unique ones not found at retail.

“There’s going to be good options here,” he said.

Now running botL themselves along with three employees, Pistininzi said they expect to eventually have eight to 12 employees.

The guys say botL provides a new option in New Kensington, whether for residents who can walk there or to bring people to the city.

Watson said botL is another positive to add to all the good things happening in New Kensington.

“We believe in this town,” Watson said.