October is the third annual Dining Month on OnMilwaukee.com. All month, we're stuffed with restaurant reviews, delicious features, chef profiles, unique articles on everything food, as well as the winners of our "Best of Dining 2009."

Ristorante Bartolotta
7616 W. State St., (414) 771-7910
bartolottaristorante.com

The Bartolotta dining empire has grown to include a range of fine restaurants in many styles, but for me there's still nothing that beats the original. The dining room is warm and inviting -- especially when the scent of the wood-burning oven heats up a winter night -- the staff is friendly and knowledgeable, the menu is good and with Juan Urbieta helming the kitchen you just can't go wrong when it comes to Italian food in Milwaukee.

Menu: Italian.

Price: Moderate to expensive.

When to go: Check out one of the special wine dinners that pair a menu and a single winery's offerings, usually with a winemaker on hand. Also great are the special regional menus that show the diversity of Italian cuisine.

Dress: Business casual to dressy.

Don't miss: The grigliata mista di mare, with its tempting assortment of grilled shrimp, scallops, octopus, mussels and the fish of the day. Served with olive oil, spinach and lemon.

Parking: Street parking isn't usually difficult. There are also some city lots nearby.