This place is truly extraordinary. The food, service, and people made my first experience at…read moreMulberry Italian Ristorante one to remember. The cherry on top? They have amazing vegan options, which made the experience even better for me.
Before I jump straight into the review, let me encourage you to pull up OpenTable and start looking for a reservation NOW. This place gets busy!
Located in Lackawanna in what feels like a quiet residential neighborhood, Mulberry delivers an authentic Italian dining experience. And when I say they are generous with their portions, I mean it--bring your appetite!
The Atmosphere
The atmosphere is the ultimate vibe. It has that lively, energetic feeling that makes you want to settle in and stay awhile. The only small drawback is that it can get rather loud, especially when the restaurant is busy.
The Service
Our waitress, Tara, was fantastic. She was informative, patient, and helpful while we took our time deciding what we wanted to try.
The Appetizers
For appetizers, we started with the Caprese, chicken wings, and meatball.
The meatball is one of the most recommended items whenever you search for Mulberry--and after seeing it in person, I understand why. For starters, this thing is basically the size of a softball, covered in cheese. The table thoroughly enjoyed it, along with the restaurant's well-known chicken wings.
The Main Course
For dinner, everyone at the table went in a different direction.
Lasagna -- 8/10: Two guests ordered the lasagna, and both rated it around an 8 out of 10.
The Gravy -- 8.5/10: This menu special featured St. Louis ribs, broken meatballs, crumbled sausage, and penne pasta, all covered with mozzarella cheese. It was definitely a hearty dish.
Milano with pepperoni -- 8.5/10: Another guest ordered the Milano and added pepperoni, which was a hit.
Chicken Violanti -- 9/10: This was probably the most appealing dish to me visually from a plate presentation standpoint, even as a vegan. It featured Parmesan-crusted chicken, sliced tomato, provolone cheese, lemon butter sauce, and a potato croquette.
My pasta -- 9/10: I ordered the rigatoni à la carte with red sauce and vegetables. It was simple, flavorful, and exactly what I was looking for.
Miscellaneous
A few other things worth knowing before you go:
The restaurant has a ramp and is wheelchair accessible, with a first-floor entrance.
They offer vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options.
Parking can be a challenge because the restaurant gets so busy. There is a small parking lot connected to the building, additional parking across the street, and plenty of free street parking.
The dining room is spacious and accommodating for different group sizes.
I also heard that the bar gets decked out in Christmas decorations during the holiday season, so I'm definitely curious to see that for myself!
Final Thoughts
My first experience at Mulberry Italian Ristorante was a great one. Between the generous portions, lively atmosphere, attentive service, and variety of options, there was something for everyone at the table. As someone who appreciates having vegan options available, I especially appreciated that I wasn't limited to just a salad or side dish.
If you're thinking about trying Mulberry, make that reservation and come hungry!