By Lori Fredrich Senior Food Writer, Dining Editor, Podcast Host Published Jul 12, 2016 at 11:51 AM

Things are changing for the Italian Community Center beginning this fall, as they launch a partnership with The Bartolotta Restaurant Group.

Under a new agreement, which will take effect Nov. 1, Bartolotta's will assume responsibility for the management of all catering and restaurant operations at the Italian Community Center, 631 E. Chicago St. 

"We are thrilled to partner with the Italian Community Center," said Joe Bartolotta, CEO of Bartolotta Restaurant Group, in today's release. "It’s been an important part of our family and an important part of our heritage."

Moving forward, the new partnership will include a renovation of the restaurant and catering facilities beginning in early 2017. All former contracts in place with the ICC will be honored by Bartolotta’s and current ICC employees will be retained at will.

"We couldn’t be more excited to welcome the Bartolotta family as a staple of the experience here at the Italian Community Center," noted Joe Vella, ICC President.

The ICC partnership adds to a growing list of Bartolotta-managed restaurants and venues, which now includes over 10 restaurants, a contract with Phoenix Development for management of three Mayfair Collection restaurants and management of Downtown Kitchen, food service for Kohl’s Corp. corporate headquarters. Bartolotta also handles catering at both Discovery World and The Grain Exchange in the Mackie Building, 225 E. Michigan St.

Last December, Bartolotta’s expanded its reach beyond Milwaukee by taking on a consulting project with the Edgewater Hotel in Madison.

Lori Fredrich Senior Food Writer, Dining Editor, Podcast Host

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 each and every dish. She’s had the privilege of chronicling these tales via numerous media, including OnMilwaukee and in her book “Milwaukee Food.” Her work has garnered journalism awards from entities including the Milwaukee Press Club. 

When she’s not eating, photographing food, writing or recording the FoodCrush podcast, 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.