Within a mile area there are three top Italian restaurants and, in a sense, all different. Starting in alphabetical order there is Big Louie’s, a neighborhood pizza ‘joint’ meant in the very best sense. It is friendly, has excellent garlic rolls and the type of pizza I love plus an extended menu with fair prices and huge portions. (Full disclosure: I worked at Big Louie’s as a server for years and it was one of the best jobs I had plus one of the few restaurants that I worked at that I went back to eat!)  Next is the Café Vico where I had my 20^th Leap Year birthday party. It is upscale with a country style feeling with Mario and his wife making you feel like family and at this point I have tried every item on their menu not once being disappointed. Then there is iLMulino an upscale, trendy, austere décor, run precisely and never disappoints.

I haven’t been to iL Mulino in a number of years even though it is conveniently within walking distance of the Gateway movie Theatre where I go often. Allen wanting to eat in a full service restaurant wanted some suggestions and, looking up, I said “Why not il Mulino’s?” and so we went.

From the moment we entered we were efficiently greeted, seated, asked what we would like to drink and they were immediately brought along with an order of garlic rolls. (I believe that it was the hostess because before the main course was served the regular server, Jennifer, was back on duty taking a break from working a double shift.)

Allen ordered the seafood Anelli ($13.95) withfish of the day, shrimps, scallops, and mozzarella wrapped in a pizza like crust with a lobster sauce, cut into 3 slices and served with tortellini on the side. I had the Stromboli ($9.95) filled with pepperoni, sausage, peppers, onions, mushrooms, mozzarella and marinara sauce. We shared both dishes and were very happy with the results. The food was presented beautifully, hot, fresh and tasty. Of course we both had diet colas ($2.95 each) which is our ‘wine’ and refills were served promptly and without having to ask for them!

The check with tax and tip came to $40 about average for a lunch in an upscale, full service above a routine restaurant.

Looks like we will now be alternating between Big Louie’s, Café Vico and il Mulino!