Il Mulino, seriously?

[luvpooh]

Is it just me, or does Il Mulino seem tremendously overpriced? I know they are a popular Italian restaurant in NYC, and I live 15 mins away from NYC so I'm used to their prices, but it seems very expensive for standard Italian food.
The Veal Parm. is $31! I can make veal for 4 people with pasta and salad for that much (and my fiance says it's the best he's ever had anywhere )

We eat at the sig. restaurants at Disney all the time, and I will pay 31 for an entree without hesitation. Maybe it's because I'm from an Italian family, and live in an area where good Italian food is within spitting distance wherever I go?

 

[wendy46001]

While it is pricey they are trying to do the upscale thing.....maybe try the veal chop..that was worth the 40dollars to us

Honestly 98% of the food at any restaurant in the area you can make at home for a 10th of the cost

 

[Amy&Dan]

I agree, there is very little you get at any restaurant, in or out of WDW that cannot be made for a fraction at home. I just let that thought go right out of my head when I am dining out or it ruins the experience. I figure at home what I make may be quite wonderful, but I had to shop for it, prepare it, then clean up the mess! Well worth the mark up in the end.

 

[solotraveler]

For really upscale Italian I don't think it's too bad, honestly.

Looking over the menu, though, I think I would probably try something a little out of the ordinary when dining here. The risottos and fish dishes sound really good. I think with more "basic" Italian dishes, it a lot tougher to swallow (e.g. Liguini with Red Clam Sauce at $26.00. It's one of my favorite dishes, but it's easy to make at home)

Of course, looking over the menu just now really makes me want Italian. Stupid South Beach diet....

 

[bicker]

The pricing has three effects. First, it ensures really superior food quality and service. Second, keep in mind that everything at WDW is "more expensive than average" because you're paying a premium for the location and the fact that your choices are limited. Third, it tends to keep the families with young children away, leading to a more romantic environment, something for which there is a distinct lack of at WDW.

 

[johnvree]

Friends just go back and said the food was incredible. We are going in June, despite the high prices.

 

[luvpooh]

I understand that most everything can be made at home for a fraction of the cost; I guess it's just harder for me to accept when I can actually cook that food myself, vs. say, a dish from BlueZoo.

V. good point, bicker, re: higher costs resulting in a more romantic, kid-unfriendly environment. And I also agree, and have always known, that WDW prices are inflated due to the location. I guess my point was that, to me, basic Italian food doesn't seem like it should be as expensive as they are pricing it.

 

[MickeyNicki]

I think it is totally overpriced. We were there in Feb when they first opened and I asked DH if he wanted to eat there, he said ok lets go look at the menu, when he saw the price he said no way! We can get great Italian food back home for a fraction of the price...

 

[lynninpa]

Where is this restaurant?

 

[MPLsDad]

It's in the gorgeous and lovely Walt Disney World Swan. I can't wait to try it!

 

[Uncleromulus]

Well-I'll be going to Il MUlino on May 16, so I shall soon see for myself!!
Palio was sort of upscale Italian and it didn't last. I suspect that this new spot will be looking for some of the expense account business that the other Swan/Dolphin spots get from the conventions and meetings at those hotels.
Plus it's a "name" restaurant, just as Shula's and Todd English Blue Zoo. They probably expect some business from that as well.

 

[LindsayDunn228]

Where is this restaurant?

Seriously. I have never heard of this one.

 

[bicker]

Il Mulino replaced Palio at the Swan.

 

[CamColt]

Seriously. I have never heard of this one.

It is in the Swan, where Palio was.

I plan to try it on May 5th, and will try to get a review up. I agree the prices are high, but for good quality food at a nice restaurant, that is what is expected. It seems a common complaint on these boards is there is no good Italian in WDW so hopefully this will fill that gap.

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

I understand that most everything can be made at home for a fraction of the cost; I guess it's just harder for me to accept when I can actually cook that food myself, vs. say, a dish from BlueZoo.

V. good point, bicker, re: higher costs resulting in a more romantic, kid-unfriendly environment. And I also agree, and have always known, that WDW prices are inflated due to the location. I guess my point was that, to me, basic Italian food doesn't seem like it should be as expensive as they are pricing it.

ITA. Some of the dishes are known to be Italian "peasant food" but those ain't "peasant prices!" At places like BZ, I get stuff that is a little more intricate and not easily replicated by the home cook.

Not saying I won't ever try Il Mulino...I'd like to dine everywhere on property at least once. I am looking forward to a CamColt and UncleR review!

 

[webray]

I understand that most everything can be made at home for a fraction of the cost; I guess it's just harder for me to accept when I can actually cook that food myself, vs. say, a dish from BlueZoo.

You can defnately make dishes from Blue Zoo, or basically any restaurant for that matter if you want to. Watch the food network, nothing is as complicated as it seems.

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

You can defnately make dishes from Blue Zoo, or basically any restaurant for that matter if you want to. Watch the food network, nothing is as complicated as it seems.

I think the point is it cannot be replicated as easily at home. I am a foodtv addict, but I don't have little ring molds for presentation purposes, or a little blow torch thing to crisp up the tops of thing, or different reduction sauces just hanging around my pantry. I *DO*, however, have canned San Marzano tomatoes, clams, fresh pasta available to me. Now I am SURE Il Mulino's products are higher quality than mine, but still...not sure it justifies the price.

I think most dishes at BZ would have an ingredient list longer than most dishes at Il Mulino.

 

[Uncleromulus]

And that's one of the pleasures of eating out--NOT having to cook!!!

Back to the expensive veal parm at Il MUlino for a minute. On the menu it says "pounded", so I'm hoping it will be like the veal parm I had at Cafe D'Antonio (in Celebration) a while back. Not just a veal cutlet, but a true veal chop taken from the bone and pounded into the thinner veal parm presentation. It was MIGHTY good at D'antonio, so unless something else tempts me at Il Mulino, I will probably try it there.
I'll look forward to Camcolt's review myself!!

 

[BroadwayGirl]

Well-I'll be going to Il MUlino on May 16, so I shall soon see for myself!!
Palio was sort of upscale Italian and it didn't last.

I might be wrong but I seem to recall Palio being around for as long as I've been visiting Disney as an adult, so, at least from 1996-2006. That is actually a pretty good track record in the restaurant industry.

 

[luvpooh]

I look forward to UncleR and CamColt's reviews as well. Hopefully the quality of the food, and service, stands up to the cost. I was looking forward to eating there on my October trip, and if the place truly justifies the cost, maybe I'll squeeze it in (darn wedding, I am finding myself justifying spending every stinking penny!)