Ristorante Bartolotta
7616 W. State St., Wauwatosa, (414) 771-7910
bartolottas.com/ristorante-bartolotta
Regional Italian
$$$
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If you’ve not been to the Bartolotta flagship restaurant (or if it’s been a while), you owe it to yourself to pay a visit. A Milwaukee staple for 30 years, Ristorante thrives not only as a result of its delicious food, which pays homage to the diverse cuisines of Italy, but also for its cozy, well-appointed space and from-the-heart hospitality. I'd recommend taking a seat on La Terrazza, Ristorante's beautiful patio, and allowing the atmosphere – along with your meal – to whisk you off to the Mediterranean.
Menus at Ristorante change on a monthly basis, each highlighting a specific region in Italy. Beginning Wednesday, July 20, the menu will take guests on a culinary tour of Napoli (Naples), the regional capital of Campania and the third-largest city in Italy.
Dishes will include starters like “Purpetiello” alla Luciana featuring stewed octopus with tomatoes, olives and capers; pastas including Candele alla genovese (pasta tubes served with beef onion ragu and Parmigiano-Reggiano) one of the most traditional dishes in Neapolitan cuisine; and entrees like Baccala all’antica, Atlantic cod stewed with prunes, apples, raisins, oregano and white wine. It's a dish that reflects the flavors popular during the Roman occupation of the region. Top off your meal with something summery like Delizia al limone, a trifle layered with limoncello curd, lemon olive oil biscuits and citrus compote.
Any way you spin the bottle, it’s a win for your tastebuds.
As a passionate champion of the local dining scene, Lori has reimagined the restaurant critic's role into that of a trusted dining concierge, guiding food lovers to delightful culinary discoveries and memorable experiences.
Lori is an avid cook whose accrual of condiments and spices is rivaled only by her cookbook collection. Her passion for the culinary industry was birthed while balancing A&W root beer mugs as a teenage carhop, fed by insatiable curiosity and fueled by the people whose stories entwine with every dish. Lori is the author of two books: the "Wisconsin Field to Fork" cookbook and "Milwaukee Food". Her work has garnered journalism awards from entities including the Milwaukee Press Club. In 2024, Lori was honored with a "Top 20 Women in Hospitality to Watch" award by the Wisconsin Restaurant Association.
When she’s not eating, photographing food, writing or planning for TV and radio spots, you’ll find Lori seeking out adventures with her husband Paul, traveling, cooking, reading, learning, snuggling with her cats and looking for ways to make a difference.
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