Ristorante Bartolotta dal 1993 is nestled into the “City of Homes,” a once-historic brewery on State Street in Wauwatosa. As its name suggests, the restaurant opened in 1993, serving authentic Italian fare, from handmade pasta to divine dolci.
Ristorante Bartolotta dal 1993 has a home in a quaint location, complete with cobblestone walkways and near the Menomonee River. The beautiful string lights are an added touch to the cozy, intimate feel. Outside, the brick building is warmed with lights. Once you walk in, it feels like you’ve been transported into a genuine Italian city.
Any time is a great time to visit Ristorante Bartolotta dal 1993—for dinner with family, with girlfriends or date night. You will need a reservation as a seat at the restaurant is in high demand. Whether it’s the wine, the food, the staff or most likely all three, you’ll notice while there, all tables are full of joyful patrons. The wait staff is attentive, ensuring your drinks are full and your meal is delivered in a timely manner. It’s clear: Their priority during your visit is to ensure you have the best experience possible.
Over the past year, necessary steps were taken to oblige COVID-19 dining restrictions to ensure a safe experience for all guests, which can be viewed on the website. The restaurant has been meticulously rearranged to allow for more spacious seating, but with a creative touch like adding an Italian window vibe for table spacers. There is also a beautiful garden patio, La Terrazza, recently opened for dining. You’ll enter the courtyard under a wood trellis, to arrive at a piazza-like setting. Following the restaurant’s brick theme and warm lights, the floral wall troughs are a complement to the crisp white tables and red cozy chairs.
Ristorante Bartolotta dal 1993 launched “Un Viaggio in Italia”or the “Tour of Italy” series in Summer 2020 to fill the void for guests who have been unable to travel to the exciting and culturally rich regions of Italy. From the coast of Sicily to the peaks of the Italian Alps, the menus bring the smells and tastes of regional Italy to Milwaukee, with a new region and menu introduced every three weeks (see below for upcoming themes).
During our visit, we experienced a wide variety of delectable dishes over a four-course selection. There’s an opportunity to satisfy any palate with the multitude of options. Each meal is perfectly portioned to ensure you leave feeling satisfied but not overly stuffed. The antipasti are great openers to get your taste buds ready for the larger options. We enjoyed the cutanei senigalliesi (gnucchit di farina) con ragu di Coniglio, a hand-made flour gnocchi from Senigallia with rabbit ragu, cherry tomatoes and Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, and the Vincisgrassi, baked Marche-style lasagna with veal ragu, sweetbreads, mushrooms, pancetta and béchamel. The goose braised with tomatoes, garlic, rosemary, white wine and escarole was tender, oozing with flavors that water your mouth upon smell. To wrap up your meal and leave you wanting to come back for more, we recommend a little of everything from the dolci course, which might include the likes of classic tiramisu and panna cotta.
Current and upcoming regions during “Un Viaggio in Italia” include:
- Lazio (Roma) – Began April 29
- Campania (Napoli) – Beginning May 20
- Puglia (Bari) – Beginning June 10
For more information about Ristorante Bartolotta dal 1993, visit www.bartolottas.com/ristorante-bartolotta.