Travelers passing through Concourse D at Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport can now grab a plate of chicken Marsala starting at 4 a.m., thanks to the grand opening of Bartolotta’s Bar & Ristoro on Thursday. The menu also features an Italian 75 cocktail. The new concept replaces Nonna Bartolotta’s, the Italian spot that had served the gate area since 2009, and marks the latest expansion for one of Milwaukee’s most recognizable restaurant names.
The restaurant was built specifically for MKE through a partnership between The Bartolotta Restaurants and SSP America, the airport’s food and beverage operator, according to airportimprovement.com. As Urban Milwaukee reports, Brian Dranzik, director of Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport, said the new addition will enhance the travel experience and bring Milwaukee dining to airport travelers. It’s a notable upgrade for a concourse that had relied on the same Italian spot for roughly 17 years.
From Antipasti to Zero-Proof Cocktails
The menu leans into classic Italian comfort food, with antipasti like bresaola and shrimp scampi leading into pastas, pizza alla Romana, and focaccia panini, per the same airport trade publication. Heartier secondi options include chicken Marsala and salmon olivada, rounding out a menu built for everything from a quick breakfast to a sit-down dinner before a flight.
The bar program is just as robust, featuring red, white, and sparkling wines alongside Wisconsin craft beers and signature cocktails, the outlet notes. Specific drinks named by Urban Milwaukee include the Italian 75, the Hugo Spritz, and the Lakeshore Sunset, and the restaurant also offers nonalcoholic options for travelers who’d rather skip the booze before boarding.
A Family Name Built on Milwaukee Roots
Chef Paul Bartolotta said the restaurant brings his Italian cooking philosophy to travelers, according to Urban Milwaukee’s report. He added that Milwaukee is his home and that the goal is to make travelers’ food experience memorable — a sentiment that echoes the broader expansion The Bartolotta Restaurants has pursued this year…