In March of 2020, when restaurants shut down in response to the COVID-19 shut-down, 17 Bartolotta Restaurants and catering sites were among the venues that temporarily closed their doors.
One by one, most reopened. The exceptions were Pizzeria Piccola, which opened in 2003 at 7606 W. State St. in Wauwatosa and The Rumpus Room - A Bartolotta Gastropub, 1030 N. Water St., which had opened its doors in 2012 in the former Eagan's on Water.
But a commercial alteration permit filed with the City of Milwaukee this week piqued interest in the former Rumpus Room space, which is slated for design work by Milwaukee-based Madisen Maher Architects. Madisen Maher was behind the design for restaurants including Braise, Story Hill BKC and Joey Gerard’s - A Bartolotta Supper Club.
Plans for the venue have not been shared at this point, but The Bartolotta Restaurants shared a statement indicating that the concept formerly known as Rumpus Room will be reconceptualized.
“As part of our ongoing investment in downtown Milwaukee, The Bartolotta Restaurants is reconceptualizing the venue previously known as Rumpus Room.
“We are working closely with the City of Milwaukee as we progress from the design and development to the construction phase of the project, and we look forward to sharing more details in the coming months.”
As a passionate champion of the local dining scene, Lori has reimagined the restaurant critic's role into that of a trusted dining concierge, guiding food lovers to delightful culinary discoveries and memorable experiences.
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 every dish. Lori is the author of two books: the "Wisconsin Field to Fork" cookbook and "Milwaukee Food". Her work has garnered journalism awards from entities including the Milwaukee Press Club. In 2024, Lori was honored with a "Top 20 Women in Hospitality to Watch" award by the Wisconsin Restaurant Association.
When she’s not eating, photographing food, writing or planning for TV and radio spots, 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.
