Restaurant Brief

For over 40 years, Il Mulino restaurant on West 3rd Street in Greenwich Village has remained top rated in New York’s elite dining scene. With an emphasis on authentic preparations from the Abruzzo region of Italy, Il Mulino delivers expertly crafted dishes with exemplary service.

What have been the keys to the strength and leadership of Il Mulino and what has made the restaurant stand the test of time?

The keys have been incredible food along with impeccable service. This has been true for the 40 years that the restaurant has been in existence and continues today, even with the pandemic. We will never sacrifice on the quality of our food or the service levels at the restaurant.

How important has it been to have such longevity of the staff at Il Mulino?

This is one of the most important parts of our success since we have very loyal patrons. This starts with our General Manager Claudio Mambelli, who has been with us since the beginning, along with a large part of our staff who have been with us throughout the 40 years, and they embrace our culture. This is the reason why we are able to provide such consistency with our food and service.

What can guests expect from Il Mulino as you look to the future?

We are continuing to invest in the restaurant but will never change the character and mystique of the space. There is a certain feeling that our guest gets when they walk into Il Mulino. At the same time, it has been 40 years and it is time to refresh this iconic restaurant. We have expanded our already fantastic wine list and will make cosmetic changes to give the restaurant a fresh look for today’s times. Our patrons are global and when they visit New York City they often dine with us multiple times during their time in Manhattan.

How important is it for the restaurant to offer the dishes that it is known for over all these years while still keeping the menu fresh and current?

The menu has stayed consistent which honors our history, but our patrons know that all requests at Il Mulino will always be prepared for them by the chef. The hallmark of Il Mulino is that all the dishes we serve including our vegan and gluten free options will be consistent with the flavors and taste that are Il Mulino.

How did the restaurant adapt its business to address the challenges caused by the pandemic?

COVID has impacted every restaurant in the city and around the country. We followed all the health protocols. We have created some outside seating which has become the trend in New York City. Our committed staff stayed with us and we are able to continue to serve our guests with the quality experience that Il Mulino is known for.

Will you discuss the experience and expertise of Il Mulino’s workforce?

We have a professional, highly trained waitstaff, servers and busboys. They are compensated well and when they work at our restaurant, they see it as a career. We also invest the time and resources in professional development. We want the staff to always understand our values and become a member of the Il Mulino family.

Are you surprised to see the growth and development of the area around the restaurant?

It is amazing to see the growth of the area. When we started the business, NYU was there, but not in the prominent way it is today with the law school and their educational executive offices located nearby. It has been exciting to see how Greenwich Village has grown and we are fortunate to be a part of it.

As Il Mulino celebrates 40 years in business, are you able to take moments to reflect and appreciate the strength and impact of the restaurant?

We celebrate all the time, but we never rest on our laurels. Our growth and commitment to excellence continues and will always continue. Our patrons come to Il Mulino for moments of celebration in their lives which carries on as a tradition throughout their entire family. It is amazing to see how Il Mulino is the favorite restaurant of people from all over the world and it is gratifying to see the impact it has made on people’s lives. We will continue to invest in the restaurant to offer the highest levels of food and service. Il Mulino looks forward to another 40 years and more.