Blog

Whether you're new to the industry or an event planning veteran, here's our list of 7 Things to Remember about Event Planning.

A Q&A with John Korycki, Executive Chef at Harbor House.

A look into The Chef Event hosted by Milwaukee Magazine at Downtown Kitchen in April 2019.

A deep dive into the bubbly region of France.

A look at some of the new sweet and savory dishes coming out of the kitchens of The Bartolotta Restaurants

Care-a-lotta, the charitable arm of The Bartolotta Restaurants, focuses on a mission to support local nonprofit organizations and create platforms for awareness to help make Milwaukee a strong, vital community in which to live and work.

The only thing better than finding a great wine you love, is to find the perfect pairing of food to go with it! There are a few simple rules of thumb that can help you make choices that will enhance both the wine and the food when combined. One approach is to pair dishes from a specific region to wines that are native to that region. Another good tip is that opposites often attract. For example, a dish heavier in cream or butter might pair well with an acidic, clean tasting wine. Ultimately,…

Isn’t it intimidating to go to a restaurant and get handed a wine list as thick as a novel? Perhaps you know you like red wine or prefer Champagne but you have a moment of confusion when presented with the wine list. Mariana Popescu, Sommelier at Bartolotta’s Lake Park Bistro, breaks down a French wine list by region, and then by reds (rouge) and whites (blanc), explaining the importance of each wine’s origin or “terroir.”

Get to know Mariana Popescu, Sommelier at Bartolotta's Lake Park Bistro

Winter has officially set in and it is time to cozy up to the fireplace, bundle up for walks in the snow, and find creative ways to stay warm in Wisconsin’s frigid temperatures. Many of our chefs and bartenders add dishes or cocktails to reflect the season’s bounty. A dish that might take a backseat during the warmer months takes center stage during winter. We asked some of our staff to highlight a few of their favorites.

With the chilly weather not going away anytime soon, our restaurants are the perfect place to cozy up with a loved one. Here are some suggestions on how to make any evening a romantic escape from the doldrums of winter.

We live and breathe events and in 2018 alone helped plan over 100 weddings. With years of experience paired with the understanding that each couple’s vision is unique, our team works to ensure that every last detail is right. Our catering managers share some of their advice, tips, and trends for 2019/20 planning.

Get to know Amanda Fraser, Director of Catering at Bacchus - A Bartolotta Restaurant

The holidays are all about tradition so we asked a few of our festive employees to share some of their favorite ways to enjoy the holiday season. From classic to a little bit wacky, here are the ways we celebrate.

Holiday party tips from the catering team at the Bartolotta Resaurants.

Meet John Halvorson, Operations Manager at The Grain Exchange.

Holiday party planning tips from the event planning professionals at The Bartolotta Restaurants.

It was the philosopher Heraclitus who said “The only thing that is constant is change,” and while the menu at Ristorante Bartolotta, dal 1993 has become beloved for its classic Italian mainstays, Chef Juan Urbieta is excited to add a few menu items to change things up after his kitchen’s recent renovation. Guests will still find their old favorites but will now see some new menu options. Read on as we explore some of these new dishes, their origins and preparations.

Care-a-lotta’s annual Gala-lotta was held on the evening of Thursday, August 23 at The Italian Community Center. The event not only raised $28,000 for The Women’s Center but achieved their goal of engaging new, younger audiences in the organization.

In 1993 the Bartolotta brothers had a dream to bring authentic Italian food to Milwaukee. They probably didn’t imagine that when Ristorante Bartolotta opened its doors in the heart of Wauwatosa, it would become a beloved restaurant, and the flagship of The Bartolotta Restaurants which now has an entire portfolio of fine dining, catering, and casual restaurants throughout the city. 25 years is an accomplishment for any business, particularly one in the restaurant industry - so we are incredibly…

Meet David Armstrong, General Manager at The Rumpus Room.

In Milwaukee, the short season of summer brings everyone outside to enjoy all that the city has to offer. Join us as many of our restaurants offer live entertainment outdoors on a variety of evenings during the summer. Featuring many local artists, our music scene paired with Bartolotta Restaurants’ delicious food, wine and/or cocktails is one of the myriad of ways to enjoy Milwaukee in the summer.

Every year in late summer, Bartolotta’s Lake Park Bistro takes advantage of its prime location w it h a party in the park and everyone is welcome to join in a fantastic feast that highlights the hog as its main course. This lunchtime event invites Milwaukee locals and tourists alike to indulge in a complete afternoon of great food, entertainment, and libations. This year’s 8th Annual Pig Roast takes place on Sunday, August 12.

Bartolotta Catering & Events Adds New Venues

Meet Dan Wustrack, Catering Manager at Bartolotta’s Lake Park Bistro.

Wonder Woman is the preeminent heroine of our time. As a symbol of equality, power, and truth, her natural confidence and unmistakable intelligence make her a presence that cannot be denied.

Meet Amanda Strandt, Executive Chef at Mr. B’s - A Bartolotta Steakhouse in Brookfield

It is officially spring and in celebration, we are hosting a variety of spring-themed wine dinners, prepping our patios for the summer season, and getting Northpoint Custard ready for its 10th year in business! It is what Wisconsinites wait for all year, those summer months when the beach is open, patios are booked with bands, and the whole city comes alive.

The first Chef Event held in partnership with Milwaukee Magazine in 2017 was a giant hit, selling out in less than two weeks. We were so thrilled to get the opportunity again this year to highlight Milwaukee chefs and their cuisine in our beautiful downtown venue, Downtown Kitchen at the U.S. Bank Building, for a second Chef Event on Wednesday, April 18, 2018

Meet Patrick Erdman, the new general manager at Bacchus - A Bartolotta Restaurant.

This January we are excited to host our first ever Surf & Turf dinner. The brainchild of Mr. B's Brookfield's Executive Chef Zach Espinosa and Harbor House's Executive Chef Andrew Ruiz. The dinner will be held January 31 at Mr. B's Brookfield, where they will bring together the best from both land and sea. Both chefs have been with Bartolottas in various capacities for many years - and both have extensive knowledge of seafood and steak. We chatted with them to learn about this new collaboration.

A quick Q&A with the General Manager of Mr. B's - A Bartolotta Steakhouse - Brookfield, Vince Halpin.