Uncleromulus
Plain grey will be fine
- Joined
- Jan 28, 2001
- Messages
- 15,529
We had been anxious to try Il Mulino since it opened. The menu looked really appealing and there had been several favorable reviews from folks who we know have similar tastes to ours. So on Thursady night May 8, off we went to the Swan for what turned out to a fine meal. Dinner was set for 6:00 and we arrived a few minutes early. After valet parking at the Swan (free to those dining at Il Mulino) we went to the restaurant entrance. I was a bit suprised at the appearance--nothing like Palio which used to be in that spot. In fact, just to get to the greeter podium you walk through a long bar/lounge area.. the bar to the right, lounge tables (looked like hi-tops mostly )to the left. Looked sort of "swank" to me, and a place where you could easily enjoy a drink or two. Same with the inside of the restaurant--upscale, tables not crammed together--fashionaby elegant.
The greeters at the podium were the only disappointment of the evening. Three girls, dressed in black dresses, not terribly friendly. We were literally marched back to our table by one of them, and she didn't even look at us as she said (not very convincingly) "Enjoy your meal". I began to wonder if that sort of attitude would extend to the servers.
But fortunately, it did not. Our two servers (they work in pairs at Il Mulino) were quite friendly and attentive throughout the meal. No need to ever wonder where the servers were-they were always around, or nearby.
After we ordered drinks (wine for Mrs U, a Moretti for me)the first item on the menu was a complimentary Chef's course of eggplant in sauce and some small sliced pepperoni. This was actually a larger portion than an ordinary first bite and very tasty. Then came a selection of breads (unlike Mama Melrose, you still get bread at Il Mulino
) which were also very good. I wish I had remembered to write down the 3 different choices--but unfortunately, I didn't.
Next up were appetizers. I had the Carpaccio Di Carne--Tuscan style aged beef with olive oil and argula. A plate-covering portion and excellent!! Mrs U went for the Gamberi Al Mulino--very similar to the standard Shrimp Cocktail, only the sauce had a bit more bite to it than we usually find. There were 5 fairly large shrimp in the dish and another "excellent" rating.
After hearing the two dinner specials for the evening (one of which happened to be lamb chops,which we don't usually see in most Italian restaurants) we decided on entrees. I was torn between the Veal Saltimbocca and the Veal Parmigiana, so I asked one of our servers which he thought was best. He asked how hungry I was. When I replied "very", he suggested the veal parmigiana. And I'm glad he did! It was a plate-covering portion of pounded veal with tomato sauce and cheese. In many other Italian spots we frequent, you need to cut through layers of gooey cheese and gallons of sauce just to find the veal. Not here. The cheese and sauce were thinly layered, and the veal was tender.
Mrs U decided on the other "special" offered that evening three-cheese ravioli in sauce. These turned out to be quite good, cooked just a bit more firm than "al dente" and the sauce had just a bite to it that only added to the flavor.
Dessert followed. I had the Italian style Cheesecake, which turned out much different than I expected. Not the traditional Cheese cake, but literally a slice of what seemed to be pound cake on the plate next to some blended creamy Italian cheese. So it was cheese--and cake. Looked different, but tasted very good!!
Mrs U had the Mixed berries coated with marsala Zabagalione. Light and refreshing was how she described it.
All in all, I'd give Il Mulino an A- rating--the minus only being for the podium greeters who could use a little Pixie Dust. Otherwise, it was an excellent choice for a meal, and we already made reservations at Il Mulino again for our upcoming trip in September!!
Note: Although I would consider this a more "adult friendly" restaurant than most at WDW, there were a number of kids there the night we dined, including a few toddlers. And the dress was the same as what we found at all the other "Signature" type restaurants this trip--a mix of everything except what is actually prohibited by the code. You can dress up here if you want, but you certainly don't have to.
The greeters at the podium were the only disappointment of the evening. Three girls, dressed in black dresses, not terribly friendly. We were literally marched back to our table by one of them, and she didn't even look at us as she said (not very convincingly) "Enjoy your meal". I began to wonder if that sort of attitude would extend to the servers.
But fortunately, it did not. Our two servers (they work in pairs at Il Mulino) were quite friendly and attentive throughout the meal. No need to ever wonder where the servers were-they were always around, or nearby.
After we ordered drinks (wine for Mrs U, a Moretti for me)the first item on the menu was a complimentary Chef's course of eggplant in sauce and some small sliced pepperoni. This was actually a larger portion than an ordinary first bite and very tasty. Then came a selection of breads (unlike Mama Melrose, you still get bread at Il Mulino
) which were also very good. I wish I had remembered to write down the 3 different choices--but unfortunately, I didn't.Next up were appetizers. I had the Carpaccio Di Carne--Tuscan style aged beef with olive oil and argula. A plate-covering portion and excellent!! Mrs U went for the Gamberi Al Mulino--very similar to the standard Shrimp Cocktail, only the sauce had a bit more bite to it than we usually find. There were 5 fairly large shrimp in the dish and another "excellent" rating.
After hearing the two dinner specials for the evening (one of which happened to be lamb chops,which we don't usually see in most Italian restaurants) we decided on entrees. I was torn between the Veal Saltimbocca and the Veal Parmigiana, so I asked one of our servers which he thought was best. He asked how hungry I was. When I replied "very", he suggested the veal parmigiana. And I'm glad he did! It was a plate-covering portion of pounded veal with tomato sauce and cheese. In many other Italian spots we frequent, you need to cut through layers of gooey cheese and gallons of sauce just to find the veal. Not here. The cheese and sauce were thinly layered, and the veal was tender.
Mrs U decided on the other "special" offered that evening three-cheese ravioli in sauce. These turned out to be quite good, cooked just a bit more firm than "al dente" and the sauce had just a bite to it that only added to the flavor.
Dessert followed. I had the Italian style Cheesecake, which turned out much different than I expected. Not the traditional Cheese cake, but literally a slice of what seemed to be pound cake on the plate next to some blended creamy Italian cheese. So it was cheese--and cake. Looked different, but tasted very good!!
Mrs U had the Mixed berries coated with marsala Zabagalione. Light and refreshing was how she described it.
All in all, I'd give Il Mulino an A- rating--the minus only being for the podium greeters who could use a little Pixie Dust. Otherwise, it was an excellent choice for a meal, and we already made reservations at Il Mulino again for our upcoming trip in September!!
Note: Although I would consider this a more "adult friendly" restaurant than most at WDW, there were a number of kids there the night we dined, including a few toddlers. And the dress was the same as what we found at all the other "Signature" type restaurants this trip--a mix of everything except what is actually prohibited by the code. You can dress up here if you want, but you certainly don't have to.
