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| - 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.
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