For the eighth straight year, October is Dining Month on OnMilwaukee.com, presented by Locavore, the newest restaurant at Potawatomi Hotel & Casino. All month, we're stuffed with restaurant reviews, delectable features, chef profiles and unique articles on everything food, as well as the winners of our "Best of Dining 2014." 

Even in a year full of surprises, OnMilwaukee.com readers have made sure the Italian cuisine crown stays put. For the seventh straight year, Ristorante Bartolotta, located at 7616 W. State St. in Tosa Village, has come away the champion. 

It's almost impossible to find issue with the readers' pick, seeing as the signature Bartolotta restaurant is still the gem of its ever-expanding bunch. Pushing aside the familiar and expected Italian menu items (spaghetti and meatballs, etc.), Ristorante and executive chef Juan Urbieta have constantly dished out delicious authentic dishes, putting the spotlight on the vivacious variety of diverse regional specialties that Italian cooking has to offer.

The OnMilwaukee.com editors couldn't help but join the readers in naming Ristorante the best Italian restaurant in the city. 

Of course, the Tosa Village staple faced some strong, tasty competition. Calderone Club came in second place, while Tenuta's collected the bronze. Long-time Italian favorites That's Amore out in Greenfield and The Pasta Tree on Farwell Avenue rounded out the rest of the top five. 

OnMilwaukee.com editors' choice: Ristorante Bartolotta

Runners-up: 
2. Calderone Club
3. Tenuta's
4. That's Amore
5. The Pasta Tree