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Il Mulino
Category: Restaurants Italian Italian [Edit]
1060 Eglinton Avenue WToronto, ON M6C 2C5
(416) 780-1173
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 5 pm - 11 pm
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Dressy
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Quiet
- Ambience:
- Romantic
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
14 reviews for Il Mulino
Review Highlights
-
"The meat lasagna was utterly delectable." In 2 reviews -
"Great wine list, although a smidge on the pricey side." In 3 reviews -
"The atmosphere is romantic and intimate." In 6 reviews
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14 reviews in English
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Review from Stanimir C.
Toronto, ON
1/23/2012
After reading the reviews I decided to try Il Mullino and went there for my anniversary last Sunday.
The interior is what you can expect from seeing the pictures here and on their website so I won't comment on it. The environment was quiet and there were only 4 other tables taken. We also had the option to choose our table and the waitor was quite friendly.
Like someone else mentioned the first thing they give you is flat bread dressed with rosemary and drizzles of olive oil.
I had the caesar salad with dry bacon on top. It didn't look like anything special but it was infact very delicious. After that I decided to go with pasta(it was an italian restaurant after all) and got the linguine with smoked duck. We also had the veal with lemon. Their main dishes are just amazing!
For deser we got cheesecake and chocolate/raspberry gelato, both of which were great. Food:5
Service was also on the level. The waitor always asked is if we needed something else and even made a few jokes which was something refreshing. 5!
Overall an excellent experience and while it might be a little pricey(at least for me) it's totally worth it. One more thing about the food was that portions weren't really big, but I expected it. After all it's about quality and not quantity. -
Review from CalamityJane T.
Toronto, ON
4/25/2012
After a late meeting the other night, my friend offered to take me to dinner. As I was tired and I LOVE to eat, I was no match for any sort of argument. I had a craving for some really good Italian and initially thought of a few swanky places downtown, but being a Monday night, there were very few options at 10pm where one would not feel like a total ass for keeping the wait staff holed up at work any longer than they need to be. Thanks to the crappy weather we were having (hail in late-April, that is), I wanted to eat closer to my 'hood so that I could jet home afterwards. We ended up checking out Il Mulino as a result. Funnily enough, it seems bad weather has brought other reviewers to the place!
I am so grateful that Il Mulino is close to my house!! All the raves of other reviewers here are so right! A fine meal and impeccable, old-school service made me forget my long day and the shitty weather outside.
We shared the generous house antipasti platter which included a few grilled items on top of greens alongside a mini serving of caprese: calamari, shrimp (two of these would have been nice), cured meat, and mushrooms with a ratatouille-type mix of tomatoes, herbs, olives, etc--so yummy! Their risotti are also pretty amazing (friend had the al funghi version) and I can tell you that their grilled seabass is also a must! It was a whole fish griled with herbs, along with your choice of I can't remember what but I opted for the grilled vegs (roasted then fried potato, braised carrot and greens). I am pretty sure I would have wet my pants if the skin were crispy, but alas, it wasn't.
Our host and server, Astrit, treated us like we were friends stopping by. He was a real sweetheart who chatted with us for some time. I love this type of personal service and it's the kind of thing one remembers that keeps you going back (besides such good food!). I was surprised on the one hand that Il Mulino is associated with Sotto Sotto as pointed out by one reviewer, mainly because it doesn't seem to be too well known outside the area, yet it's not that odd when you consider how good the food is! Everything about the food was just right: flavours, portions...
In a word, I would describe the food as 'comforting'. The ambience is nice, clientele seeming to be mostly from the area. Some may consider the prices high but the labour that goes into the food, the quality of ingredients, and such amicable service are apparent justifications. Il Mulino could easily make for a nice date spot, a family dinner, groups/celebrations. I was impressed by the lack of pretension and snobbery that one could expect at such a place. As relaxed as it was though, I would suggest that you put some effort into throwing yourself together somewhat if you plan to dine here.Listed in: Pizza, Italian, Forest Hill
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Review from F D.
Richmond Hill, ON
10/21/2011
Get:
Caesar Salad
Whole grilled fish special
Veal, mushroom, Parmesan -
Review from Charles M.
9/4/2011
This is one of those rare times where five stars totally fails to capture the greatness that is Il Mulino.
The food was magnificent - and by that I mean ridiculously good. But it was much more than just the food. The owner, Oscar, was gracious and welcoming. The atmosphere is romantic and intimate. The service was, in a word, perfect. The evening when taken in totality was amongst the most enjoyable I can remember.
First - the food...
My wife had heard great things about the gnocchi, but could not decide if she wanted the marinara or the four-cheese. Oscar's solution - we will do it "two-ways". Wow. They should put that option on the menu! Visually it was beautiful. And the taste?!? INCREDIBLE!!! The gnocchi was so fresh and the two sauces kept the taste fresh and enjoyable. Oh, and she loved her beet salad.
For me? The octopus special was a great appetizer, but the star of the show was the calamari appetizer - which looked so good that I ordered as a second course fully expecting to have the veal. Well, let's just say that plans changed upon having my first bite. Words cannot describe how incredible their calamari tastes. I was immediately swept back to several small Mediterranean villages where the grill their morning's catch with nothing but sea salt, EVOO and lemon. Oscar adds a perfect chunky tomato, garlic and black olive topping and I was in heaven.
I was a little embarrassed, but I had to order a second portion. And I would have had a third if I could have managed room.
The service also merit mentioning. It is rare to walk into a new restaurant and immediately feel like family. The entire staff made us feel at home while still respecting our romantic evening.
We left not only wanting more, but planning our next trip to Toronto if only to come back. -
Review from Precilla C.
Scarborough, ON
I had a very lovely meal at Il Mulino, a hidden gem tucked in Eglinton and Bathurst. The interior was warm and intimate, a perfect setting for a romantic dinner with your loved one. We were greeted very warmly by an Italian gentleman, who thoughtfully asked us for our seating preference.
We were served some flat bread dressed with rosemary and drizzles of olive oil. This bread was amazingly addictive, particularly that lovely, crunchy crust. we finished two servings of it on top of our meal.
The meat lasagna was utterly delectable! The flavours were very robust and the texture of the pasta sheets was wonderful- not too mushy but adequately soft. I wanted to lick the whole plate clean.
In comparison, the other pasta fell a little short. I wanted something simple, so I opted for an appetizer portion of gnocchi quattro formaggio: grana padano and ricotta in a four cheese sauce. The cheese sauce was rather bland, perhaps because I had tasted the lasagna first. I also thought it could use a little more salt. I was really looking forward to a more pungent cheesy taste (after all, it had four cheeses!), but that didn't really come through. However, the lasagna was so good that I could easily forgive this dish.
For dessert, the tiramisu was very tasty. It had perhaps a little too much cream for me, but the flavours were excellent and not overly sweet.
The service was just wonderful. When our server missed us leaving the restaurant, he even ran out the door to bid us farewell. Next time I come, I would definitely call ahead to find out whether meat lasagna is on their menu that day. -
Review from Imran N.
3/26/2011
My boss took me here once and i can't stop thinking about it.
It's nestled in the bathurst and eglinton area, and is a non descript gem.
This is an elegant and simple Italian food restaurant with an excellent excellent excellent wine list. I highly recommend the place. A little pricey (about $60- $80 per head) but well worth it for the level of service and quality of food. The place is intimate and friendly. The managers and servers all give you attention and the restaurant is small so it feels like you belong.
If you're confused about the wine, ask the sommelier. If you are unsure about something, ask the server. I sometimes expect a level of arrogance at restaurants like this, but i found none here. I was torn between the ahi, beef or octopus carrpacio, so the house made me a trio platter without me even asking!
Really where do you get service like this in Toronto anymore?
I love the place and recommend it for small groups (2, 3 or 4) just because of the intimacy factor.
If you take a date here, she/he will be impressed with you. If you take your family here, they will thank you. If you take out of town guests here, they will appreciate the high level of food and service canada has to offer!Listed in: Yonge and Egl
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Review from Jeff S.
Toronto, ON
1/24/2011
Terribly cold outside, but warm and welcoming inside!
The decor is a hit, and the ambiance of an upscale Italian experience is terrific. Ornate, classic, white table cloths, a boisterous, noisy gathering place; very nice.
Service was authentic, personal, and friendly. Server and manager were attentive and made us feel like we were visiting old friends.
The menu is quite extensive. Our appetizers included the sardines (quite a big serving; probably could be scaled back). Entrees included the daily fish (black cod; prepared beautifully, but for some reason wasn't a hit), and meat lasagna, which was great. Don't miss the tartufo for dessert! Great wine list, although a smidge on the pricey side.
Overall, a wonderful experience and we'll be back. -
Review from Tommy H.
1/4/2010
I picked this restaurant for a dinner while on a trip in Toronto based on the yelp reviews as well as its Zagats rating and I wasn't let down. Food, service and ambiance were excellent. Portions were well sized and the dining experience overall was fantastic. Our server was very knowledgeable on the menu and helped pair a wine that went well with our meals.
I would highly recommend this restaurant. -
Review from David P.
Toronto, ON
8/3/2009
Charming Restaurant with great ambiance. Lighting and decor created an intimate setting. Staff was exceptional!
Fabulous presentation of food. Creative and pleasing to the eye.
Entree was the Beef Tenderloin in a reduction with peppercorns.
Thanks for a great Evening! -
Review from Christine T.
8/20/2009
Nice presentation, great wine list in the his & her BMW part of town. Authentic ingredients appreciated with a great Olive oil and balsamic paired together for the best Caprese Salad. Thanks for making the extra effort, loved the experience!
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Review from C M.
North York, ON
3/23/2011
It was cold and snowy outside when we visited this restaurant, but the welcome was warm and inviting and the decor is tasteful and simple. Il Mulino is always a busy place, but it never feels stuffy or full, just happy, intimate and bustling.
Although we visited this beautiful Italian restaurant during winterliscious, we ordered off the regular menu. I started with a caesar salad (a delicious staple) followed by a perfectly cooked mushroom risotto in a creamy white wine sauce. Both were executed perfectly, and all others at the table were just as pleased with their meals as well. My husband ordered a heaping portion of lasagna, which he was thrilled with. I didn't try them myself, but am told the mussels were tasty as well.
Wine selection was pretty good, with a nice selection of well-priced wines.
Will definitely continue frequenting this satisfying and consistent place! I rarely give a 5 but I think the effort really shines, from the great staff to outstanding service and of course, the food! -
Review from Helen Y.
Vancouver, BC
11/3/2010
great service, great intimate little restaurant...
of course food was good, well portioned, fettuccine bolognese, galetto al maltone, but for some reason, i can't say it was memorable.. was great, but .....why?? i don't know... i wasn't wowed... maybe try different dish next time... -
Review from Dennis M.
12/26/2009
Modern white-table-cloth kind of place. To see the place empty, as they are preparing for dinner, it might appear a bit stuffy. However as you are greeted by the staff and often the proprietor himself, you quickly feel the warmth of the place. Great for couples, but also for gatherings of close friends. The E2E experience is fantastic, from greeting to appetizer to after-dinner drink.
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Review from Andre D.
Edmonton, AB
5/7/2010
I suggested this place based on reading City Bites magazine and finding out Sotto Sotto owners run this restuarant. After reading the yelp review from the out of towners, I figured let's try it out
So I will start with the negative. My friend made a reservation using Open Table and his reservation did not show up. Ok now that's out of the way, we had excellent service from start to finish. All of us ordered glasses of wine through their expansive list. While waiting to order we had their bread which was in olive oil and herbs. VERY VERY tasty. We all agreed in getting their prix fixe menu for $39. It was a choice of Caesar or garden salad, gnocchi and a choice of veal, chicken or beef and a choice of dessert. Gnocchi is generally heavy but it is made fresh because it was very soft and melted in your mouth. It was a very small portion but it worthwhile. As for the veal, MY GOD!!! One of the best veal dishes I've had. All of us ordered creme brulee, apple strudel and the molten lava chocolate dessert. Exquisite. My gf, friends and I all enjoyed our experience there.
As a side note, one server came over and told us the Habs-Pens score and the other server talked "calcio" with me, even though he was a Napoli fan. But at least they were sports fans, which made my night.
