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I went to il mulino for my birthday this year. The staff seated us right away and started us off with some delicious starters. Everything we put in our mouth from the garlic bread to the mushroom ravioli in a champagne truffle sauce to the filet mignon in a spicy caper sauce and the the chicken parmigiana is the best ever. Although we were full, we had some great desserts. The sweet pear, chocolate cake, tiramisu and ricotta cheesecake were the best desserts I could have asked for. There's no place I would rather spend my birthday than at the cozy and delicious il mulino.

All I can say it don't waste your time. I read all the reviews before going and was looking forward to an incredible meal. Some were good and some were bad. We thought that maybe the poor reviews were people being overly critical - They are NOT! Arrived at 7:45pm for an 8 o'clock reservation. We were told the did not have our reservation (pretty rudely by the way), then the people after us were told the same thing...then a party of 5 was told that because their reservation was for a party of 7 they would not seat them. We were told if we wanted to wait they would see about getting us a table. Since it was a Saturday and every other place we called was booked we stayed. We waited about an hour - which is how long people with reservations had to wait. The food was not even agerage. Really there are so many better places. I ordered a special that was so thick with sauce I didn't enjoy it. My sister ordered the Dover Sole and all she got was a piece of fish and it was $65.00. Now $65.00 really isn't that much in NYC but nothing with it - not even a piece of broccoli!! My mother ordered spagetti - again over sauced and not very good. Our sauce is better at home!! Oh and don't get dessert. All of it is kept in the open - out front by the bar. Anyway don't go - I know we won't ever go again. Beyond disappointing.

This is one tough place to get into, and it can be expensive, but if you can afford it, it's well worth it! Food is excellent and service is unbelievable. You want for nothing! Was there Saturday evening and place, as usual, was packed. While they start bringing food before you even receive a menu, you are not rushed at all. To those who complain about prices, this is NYC and considering the quality of food, service, etc, you won't find a better Italian restaurant!

Years ago my husband and I had a client bring us to this enchanted place, where service is always key. We were and still aren't among the higher echelon of society, but when it comes to restaurant service, everyone is equal. The appetizers and delicacies appear as if by magic, even before you place your actual order. Although we had to wait about 1/2 hour with a reservation, there were abundant complementary high-end snacks to keep you busy until you got seated. I've been here a few times since, and except for the elbow room, I can't see how anyone can complain. Each customer is treated like royalty, as they should be, at these prices. The experience itself is well worth any second thoughts, Karen W. Union NJ

Went to Il Mulino last night for our anniversary, have lived in NYC for over 7 years and never had a chance to go. First off, it was flat out amazing. The service was top notch and the food was to die for. They just keep bringing it out... Go here if you want an authentic italian experience. Too many specials to list, I had the tagletelli bolognese and eggplant rollotini. Deserts were great too....am still full and it's the next morning.

Unfortunately the original proprietors are hardly involved any longer, but I can still see bits of the original Il Mulino still alive and well. I've been going here since it opened in the 80s and I'm sorry, but I have yet to eat at a restaurant that can hold a candle to this place. The Masci brothers are legendary and so is this restaurant! The way flavors are played against and yet with eachother is done exquisitely. The food is worth the money as you get huge portions and the service is always divine. Everyone gets treated like they are "someone" and one should always be treated well, no? Just a really great place! If you've never been you must go and make sure to starve yourself a day before. Happy Eating!

In all fairness, our Sunday night was probably not typical, and they mentioned that one or more of the chefs was off. But our food was downright bad. Our pastas in cream sauce were soupy and tasted like "raw" flour. I could only assume they tried to thicken it and didn't cook it long enough to either thicken or get rid of the flour taste. The special "rack of baby lamb" was gigantic and that "baby" lamb must have been the size of a Shetland Pony. It tasted old and was more well done that rare as ordered. Simply not good but it was a gigantic portion which should have been served to two hungry eaters. My special veal chop stuffed with fontina and mushrooms tasted like liver. The waiter checked and said that the "cook" had decided to add foie gras. Why? That seemed an odd surprise, especially for someone who wouldn't like foie gras. I do love foie gras, but trust me, this combination with Fontina cheese didn't work. The final insult was a tiramisu that almost covered a dinner plate, but tasted like Cool Whip with chocolate pudding. No ladyfingers, no espresso, no real chocolate. It was really disgusting but again HUGE. The service was great, with the waiter even giving us an alternate selection for our wine which saved us money we were ordering a Puglian wine and he insisted this one was much better than the one we knew and liked. It WAS. But all together foodwise, the entire meal was nothing short of disaster. The businessmen next to us were impressed with the size of the portions even taking pictures because their wives would never believe how big the desserts were. If that's your idea of fine dining - gigantic portions - you may love this place. As I said, our night may not have been typical, but I have NO desire to ever go back and try it again.