★ ★ ★ ★ - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Wine Spectator Award of Excellence winner since 1998
Milwaukee's only all-French wine list
DiRoNA Awarded Restaurant
James Beard Award Best Chef Midwest 2008 - Adam Siegel
Bartolotta's Lake Park Bistro’s beautiful setting in a park pavilion overlooking Lake Michigan and its award-winning cuisine have made it one of the premier dining and special event destinations in Milwaukee since 1995. The menu ranges from traditional to modern.
About the Team
Steven O'Neil
Chef de Cuisine, Bartolotta's Lake Park Bistro
Chef Steven O’Neil serves as Chef de Cuisine for Bartolotta’s Lake Park Bistro, Milwaukee’s premier dining and special event destination near the shore of Lake Michigan. A veteran culinary professional with a true love for working in the kitchen, Chef O’Neil’s expertise in fine dining, menu development, special event planning, mentorship, and leadership has made him an invaluable member of The Bartolotta Restaurants family.
Born and raised in Milwaukee, Chef O’Neil received his formal training under the tutelage of Bartolotta leadership. His career began following high school, spending six years and performing multiple roles at the company’s Harbor House restaurant. While working at Harbor House, Chef O’Neil also worked for Bartolotta Catering and Events at The Grain Exchange, one of Milwaukee’s oldest banquet halls located within the historic Mackie Building. With a desire to become a full-time chef, he transferred to Bacchus – A Bartolotta Restaurant, and spent one year training under Executive Chef Nick Wirth. The experience at Bacchus further developed Chef O’Neil’s understanding of fine dining and how to properly coordinate and execute special events.
Chef O’Neil continued his training as a Sous Chef under Chef de Cuisine John Raymond at Bartolotta’s Lake Park Bistro. After serving four years – two of them under the title of Executive Sous Chef – he ascended to the Chef de Cuisine role.
A true Milwaukee chef through and through, Chef O’Neil credits his success to the Bartolotta chefs and cooks that mentored him throughout his career. As he continues to perfect his craft, he has taken on the role of a mentor himself, working to provide guidance and opportunity to aspiring chefs within The Bartolotta Restaurants.
Chef O’Neil also enjoys spending time relaxing with his wife, Emily, and their two rescue dogs, Tod and Charlie. Chef O’Neil and his wife are avid travelers and spend time planning trips to exploring new places in their leisure time.
Denise Ploof
General Manager, Bartolotta's Lake Park Bistro