One of New York’s great Italian restaurants is Il Mulino, opened by Gino and Fernando Masci of Abruzzi Italy. And now, this Greenwich Village favorite has come to the Forum Shops at Caesars Palace, where it continues to serve authentic Italian cuisine in an elegant and luxurious setting. Perfect for a romantic evening, Il Mulino’s dining room is dimly lit and intimate, adorned with iron-wrought chandeliers, burgundy carpeting, and white tabletops set with fine china and silverware. And the cuisine is only more impressive, with delicious appetizers and entrees that will make you savor every bite.

From the moment diners take their seat at Il Mulino, they’ll be greeted by tuxedo-clad servers, who arrive with a wheel of aged parmesan and proceed to slice pieces for each guest. And that’s just the beginning – diners will then be treated to an array of complimentary antipasto, such as crispy, thinly sliced fried zucchini, sliced salami, flavorful bruschetta, mussels, and crispy foccacia. But try, if you can, not to fill up, as you’ll want to leave room for several other courses.

If you’re particularly hungry, order the Caprese for a particularly nice starter that will whet your appetite without being too filling. The buffalo mozzarella on top of this sliced tomato with basil is especially fresh and flavorful. A variety of soups and salads are also available as appetizers or a light and tasty meal.

For the main course, Il Mulino offers a variety of pasta, fish, chicken, and meat dishes. Among them, the Spaghettini alla Vongole is particularly delicious, served with baby clams, olive oil, garlic, and crushed red pepper or spicy red sauce. If it’s available, do try the Porcini Mushroom Ravioli special, served with a champagne truffle sauce. Another winner is the restaurant’s signature Ossobuco, veal shank roasted in a red wine sauce with porcini mushrooms and served with a delightful saffron risotto.

Chances are that you’ll be so stuffed after the generous sized entrees that you won’t be able to take another bite. If you can, though, you won’t be disappointed with Il Miluno’s desserts. The Zabaglione with mixed berries is particularly nice, prepared tableside for two.

The restaurant also usually provides each diner of drinking age with free samples of the house-made grappa or limoncello. If that’s not your style, there’s also an extensive list of specialty coffees, dessert wines, Cognacs, brandy, ports, cordials, and single malt scotches, perfect for rounding off a savory Italian meal. Ultimately, you’ll be very satisfied when you leave this classic Italian restaurant.