Hello again fodorites...I have heard many great things about Il Molino in Spello was just wondering if anyone had been and if you recommend eating outside or inside. My husband and I will be there in a few weeks. Also, is 2 PM too late to reserve for lunch or would that be a good time? I'm assuming casual dress will be okay as well?

Two more weeks and Umbria here we come!

Thanks all.

hi mikster,

well, as i am unhampered by personal experience of this restaurant I hesitate to make any comment, but in best fodor's tradition, that's not going to stop me!

unless you are very unlucky with the weather, I'd go for sitting outside, and i would have thought that 2pm would be fine - it should be after the main rush at any rate.

if this is an important part of your holiday, i do suggest booking - and then you could ask if they think that 2pm is too late.

wherelse are you going?

We will be staying close to Bevagna so plan to go to Piano Grande, Gubbio, Montefalco, Spoleto, Oriveto and probably Perugio and Assisi but not sure about he last two yet. We have about 12 days. Any suggestions? I did reserve for lunch a few days but don't want to have too many reservations because I don't want a rigid schedule. Tricky though because without a reservation we might miss a great meal!

We had two very nice meals there in 2005. I think some people on here have dissed the food, but we thought it was actually very good. I didn't even remember they had an outside seating area (yes, wine was involved). If you do sit inside, it has a cool, curved vaulted brick ceiling.

On my travel website (link below) scroll down to Day three (unless you want all our sordid trip happenings) for a photo ( a little out of focus. Yes, I blame the wine again!). It also describes our dinner there on Days Three and Day Four. Casual is fine. Although I don't remember the outside seating area, I do remember I wore black jeans at dinner. Walking back across the street to our hotel...not so much.

http://web.me.com/tomfielding1/Tom_%...bria_2005.html

maitaitom...good you were at the hotel across the street...we will be driving which. is why we are reserving for lunch and not dinner...hope to walk around a bit before getting on the road again! Thank you very much...can't wait to blame a few things on the wine!

I can recommend two other very good restaurants in your area. In Bevagna try Ottavius (try the gnocchi in sangrantino sauce - sublime!!) and L'Alchimista in Montefalco - they have great everything, and they are not expensive. The Piano Grande is a truly spectacular experience and very unique. As for missing out on some great meal, we hardly had a bad meal in our 9 days in Umbria and we never had reservations.

Don't forget to drive up to Gubbio for a ride on the Bucket Of Bolts (Day Six). Of course, make sure the life insurance policies are taken care of before you get on it.

Thanks Flame123...I have both of your restaurant suggestions on my list. Gubbio is on there too...I will check my insurance policy. Thanks again.

mikster,

I was staying in Spello at the Palazzo Bocci the same Sept as Maitai, our trips managed to just miss intersecting at several towns! Anyway, I thought Il Mulino was excellent. Sat inside, didn't see outside seating, but that was in Sept 2005.

Highly recommend, although I don't know if they are open for lunch. Call to find out!

Spello is a beautiful, flower-filled, very scenic and untouristed hilltown. Wonderful for wandering a bit before getting back in the car.

Buon viaggio

Perfect...thank you all so much for your generous insights. We did get a reservation at Il Molino and are very much looking foward to the entire trip!