Il Mulino, New York City
 

Have reservations Saturday night at Il Mulino w/4-5 couples. Would like to know recommended dishes as well as reviews. Also is there a web site? Would like to see some pictures. Thanks!

BF and I went there in January. Can't remember for the life of me what either of us ordered, but both agreed the food was good, but nothing great. Others seem to disagree with me and say it's great, I don't think there are any bad reviews.

There was also not much room the night I went as an engagement party took up half the restaurant the night we went, but the ambience was nice! It's also very easy to find on Mulberry Street.

Well, there are such things as bad reviews for Il Mulino. Mine is one of them. We had a truly horrible meal, but we've always suspected that the chef was gone, there was a fight in the kitchen or something major. Something had to be out of the ordinary to get really bad food at a place that gets so many reviews. By bad food, I'm talking about the unexplained addition of liver or foie gras to a veal chop stuffed with proscuitto, fontina, and porcini. It was not the way it was described and was a combination that didn't work. We asked about the special rack of "baby lamb" being for one or two persons and were told it was definitely just for one. Out came a platter with huge ribs on it (this baby lamb had to be the size of a pony) with enough fatty and overcooked lamb, which had been ordered rare, to serve an army. The pasta was soupy, cooked to mush, and had been tried to thicken with flour which hadn't been cooked and tasted like watery raw flour. Trust me it was BAD! Even the water took the soupy bowls away and said, "oh, that doesn't look right at all", but he never did anything about it. The tirimasu was gigantic, but tasted bland, like chocolate flavoured cool whip -- not even a hint of espresso or coffee taste. The portions are disgustingly large, but that seemed to be the most impressive feature for the many groups of expense account business guys around us. I love the smallness, the atmosphere, and the service generally. I just wish I had had at least one dish there that was good! Oh, at least when they were out of the wine I ordered, the waiter made another suggestion, not on the list, that was actually less money but was FABULOUS! The biggest plus of the night.

I had a forgettable dinner there. I would like to have something to say other than I would not go again. LMF

Il Molino is one of my husband's favorite restaurants in New York, and we go there every time we are in town. We have never had a bad meal there, and the service is wonderful. You may not need to order appetizers, as the waiters bring a large assortment of anti-pasto before you even see a menu. I would suggest an early reservation, as the tables are slow to turn over while diners linger. If budget is a concern, make sure to ask how much the specials are before ordering...one night I had a $40 porcini and truffle ravioli dish that was awesome but still a lot for pasta! My husband loves the veal chop and had a fantastic seabass special one time.
The room is very New York, with lots of suits, and families speaking Italian, one night we felt like we were in a Coppola film!
Enjoy!

Ummmm - I'm not a fan of Il Mulino - but you're doing it the right way, with lots of people. . . it will be Verrrrryyyyy Expensive - don't be afraid to ask the waiter for the cost of the specials - they average $50 per entree! - the regular items average $30-40. But that's not the problem -I think the food isn't that great - what is good are all the freebies - the wedge of wonderful parmesan, the antipasto the chef sends out . . . the cookies and fruit with dessert . . . but I feel the cost isn't justified - I'd rather spend the equal amount at Babbo or Scalini Fedeli . . . also - Il Mulino is on West 3rd between Sullivan & Thompson, in the central village - not on Mulberry St.

The Il Mulino I know of is on W. 3rd St in the village, not Mulberry St, Little Italy. I haven't eaten in either, but which one is xxxxxx talking about.