NYCReview
Il Mulino
Il Mulino is a New York institution. A hot spot that most people around town will passionately defend as the best of its kind, even though the food heavy-handed and extravagant. It’s a place that will piss you off at times, but you’ll still love it.
Eating at Il Mulino is an exercise in tolerance. You’ll have to tolerate a lot, like the impossible to secure reservations and ridiculously expensive everything, to eat some good and incredibly rich and over the top Italian food. Il Mulino definitely isn’t an Infatuation favorite, but we’ll give some credit where credit’s due.
Food Rundown
Antipasti
From the moment you sit down, a parade of antipasti will appear before you. The bruschetta is good, but loaded with garlic, and the mushrooms and cured meats are nice as well. Between this and the bread, you’re likely going to be full before your waiter takes your order.
Caprese
Probably the best Caprese I have ever had, and probably because it’s not covered in black truffle sauce or red chili flakes or gold dust like everything else on the menu.
Spaghettini alla Vongole
Another nice and simple dish, this one is heavy on the garlic, but good.
Cannelloni
I love cannelloni, but the béchamel here puts a hurting on you after about two bites. This could probably provide one day’s sustenance for a small village.
Scampi Fra Diavolo
Another recommendation based on relative simplicity. The shrimp are perfectly cooked and huge. Be warned though that the fra diavolo sauce is very spicy.
Capellini Il Mulino
Capellini pasta with wild mushrooms, pancetta, sweet peas, vodka cream sauce, and black truffle. This is one of those ridiculous things in this world that probably shouldn’t exist. Like fried Oreos.