The story
Il Mulino New York arrives at Acqualina Resort on Collins Avenue with serious credentials behind it — the brand held the top spot on the New York City Zagat Survey for Italian restaurants for twenty consecutive years. At Acqualina, the concept finds its most luminous expression: a freshly reimagined dining room and bar with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Atlantic, a setting that trades the Manhattan original's rustic warmth for something altogether more radiant.
Forbes Travel Guide recognized the restaurant with a Four-Star award, noting that the Italian experience begins the moment you pull into the resort's driveway, where smartly dressed attendants set the tone before you've even reached the table.
Menu inspiration draws directly from southern Italy — the Amalfi Coast and Naples in particular — and executive chef Michele Mazza, a Naples native, keeps that connection tangible. Ninety percent of ingredients are imported from Italy, and soup stocks and fresh pasta are prepared every morning. The result is Italian cuisine that earns the word authentic without needing to announce it.
The wine list is extensive and deliberately guided: a knowledgeable table captain offers pairings course by course, making navigation feel like a conversation rather than a test.
The restaurant serves lunch and dinner daily, indoors and on the terrace overlooking Acqualina's pools and the sea. A three-course lunch menu — featuring dishes such as Burrata Caprese, Piccata di Vitello al Limone, and Torta della Nonna — offers an accessible entry point to the full experience. Sunday evenings bring a four-course supper menu, where Ravioli Porcini in champagne truffle cream sauce and Vongole Oreganata anchor a meal that ends with tiramisù and flourless chocolate cake. A daily happy hour from 4 to 6 pm rounds out the week with cocktails, wines by the glass, and lighter bites.
The atmosphere is described as bustling and energetic — a lively room with polished service, where the staff works to make every visit feel considered rather than routine.
Recognition
Location