As a user of Groupon, I have been dining at Mulinos for a couple of years now. I've eaten here probably 7-10 times. I have never had a bad meal and neither has my Fiancee. I will say that if it were not for groupon we wouldn't have eaten here as often, the prices are a wee bit steep, however portion sizes are big and served with warm bread and delicious house infused garlic-herb oil.
The one and only gripe I have with Mulinos is they NEVER change their menu. They do offer nightly specials as an addition to the menu, sometimes they are wonderful sometimes they are underwhelming. OH and the veggies are ALWAYS the same, see pictures others have posted. It's always carrot, summer squash and zucchini, rippled cut on a bias. They are however, always cooked perfectly.
We always get the calamari, a personal favorite of ours it's always cooked perfectly and the portion is plenty big. Like another fellow yelper has noted, the sauces arn't really that different. I know its an Italian place so, I get it, marinara with fried calamari. Personally I would love to see a spicy or garlic remoulade served with the calamari in addition to the marinara. ( I save the house infused garlic-herb oil and dip the calamari in that) super delicious! soooo #firstworldproblems
As others have noted the fra diavolo could use a little more heat/spices. But as a fellow service industry cook, I understand that with spicy food always go mellower because it's hard to please everyone. That being said when we are there if either of us want to sub a sauce or protein in a dish the chef is always accommodating. My most recent visit I subbed the lemon-basil sauce in the mussel appetizer for the fra diavolo sauce. I'll be doing that for now on! HUGE portion! I got two meals out of it! I will say though a lot of the shells were broken, so as a cook, I was skeptical of how fresh the mussels were, but they didn't smell bad and tasted even better, so I did not complain.
The service is always pleasant, never personal, usually don't get a name in the beginning of the meal, but they are always busy so I understand. The service is always prompt, and we have never waited long for a meal even on a Friday night during graduation weekend for the surrounding colleges.
The decor is simple and welcoming, dimmed lighting, and warm wood tones. The place is always clean and never smells of fryer oil or old restaurant carpet, like other Noho stand-byes across the parking lot, or around the corner.
We always get the tiramisu, and it is always amazing! I have had a few different mixed drinks and glasses of wine here all have complemented my meal perfectly.
So other than a few personal preferences and perhaps just a restaurant sticking to what the customers want I will continue to dine here.
Thank you Mulinos for being a great stand-bye and always serving a great dish! read more