This week I headed to the Strip for dinner as I was in the mood to celebrate a very big day in the NFL. When celebrating something special or just wanting a very good Italian meal, I highly recommend Il Mulino (3500 Las Vegas Blvd.)
Dinner at Il Mulino is more like an event. First off, the décor of the restaurant is fabulous and the view from the outdoor patio seating gives you breath taking views, of the Strip.
Shortly after you are seated you will be greeted by a waiter carrying a giant wheel of cheese. He will slice off a chunk or two for each guest at the table. Next, another waiter will bring out a plate of fresh sliced Italian salami.
Another waiter will bring a plate of thinly sliced fried zucchini, which may be the best I have ever had. They also bring a basket with fresh bread and garlic crisp breads that are simply addicting. All of these items are complimentary from the chef.
This is an incredible start to your meal. Now it’s time for an appetizer and I highly recommend their Mozzarella Di Bufala – fresh Mozzerella served with sliced tomato, roasted red peppers, basil, sun dried tomato, capers and prosciutto di parma.
I have been to Il Mulino several times and had many items on the menu. One of my absolute favorites is the Branzino, which is Italian Sea Bass baked in rock salt. They will bring the entire fish out to the table to show you when it’s done, then take it back to filet it.
I love to order this dish along with a side of pasta.
It’s not on the menu but almost every time I have been here one of the daily specials has been the T-Bone Veal Chop. Their veal simply melts in your mouth. I am also a big fan of their Veal Milanese. They thinly pound the veal chop then lightly batter the chop, dip it in Italian breadcrumbs and sauté it. This dish is one of my favorites.
I called an audible at the last minute as they had a chef’s special that literally caught my eye. The waiter brought a platter of giant Langostinos (a crustacean similar to lobster) in the shell to the table and he described the different ways you could have them prepared.
This was too good to pass up and the meal was simply amazing. I had them grilled in the shell split like you would do with a lobster tail. They served it with a side of mushroom risotto.
Generally I am too full by the time we get around to desert but if you like to partake in an after dinner drink check out their Grappas. My favorite is Limencello, which they serve to you right out of an ice bucket tableside.
If you want to make dinner an experience instead of just a meal, I highly recommend Il Mulino. I give it my highest rating of 4 Forks.
Marco D’Angelo is the senior handicapper at Pregame.com. He co-hosts FIRST PREVIEW every Thursday at 10 a.m. on ESPN 1100 AM/98.9 FM. Follow him on twitter: @MarcoInVegas. Contact him at [email protected].