Upper East Side Italian

Il Mulino Uptown

Long the staple downtown Italian restaurant for well-heeled Upper East Siders, Il Mulino has finally ‘come home’ with the opening of its second branch on the streets of uptown Manhattan. Over the past three decades, Il Mulino has operated solely out of its storied but small Greenwich Village flagship, serving up hearty portions of authentic Italian fare to its clientele of business power players, ladies who lunch, and the occasional celebrity or ten.

In the new outpost, open but two months, the bright, modern décor is a welcome change from the dimly lit, elbow-to-elbow downtown space. However, much of the beloved Il Mulino original remains the same: A charming atmosphere of vintage photographs adorn the walls, knowledgeable waiters introduce the daily specials in thick Italian accents, and classic, comfort dishes from the Abruzzo region of Italy are the order of the day from executive chef Michele Mazza. The lengthy menu offers fan favourites like Dover sole, osso buco, and scampi oreganata alongside porcini mushroom ravioli, whole wild striped bass, and veal saltimbocca, but it’s worth noting that meals here begin with the legendary, complimentary antipasti of meats, cheeses, and breads – so bring clients with appetites to match the generous serving sizes, and book well in advance!