It's Not All Gambling

For some reason, over the years I haven't spent much time in the Taj Mahal in Atlantic City.

That is, until my last trip up there when I headed directly to that hotel. I went there thanks to the invitation of their Marketing Department to have lunch at Trattoria Il Mulino, a restaurant, Italian of course, on the casino level.

The concept began in 1981 in New York, basically two restaurants side-by-side.  One is Il Mulino, for fine dining, and the other, more casual, Trattoria Il Mulino.  That's where I had lunch. The press kit says the food in Il Mulino is from the Abruzzi region of Italy and can be prepared tableside, menu items like rack of lamb and dover sole.

On the casual side, stay with me here as we go back and forth, you'll find fixe menu items like brick oven pizzas, ravioli and tuscan burgers.

A three-course prix fixe menu is available for $21.95 and does include appetizer, entree and dessert, a good deal really in an Atlantic City hotel. There are over 10 entree items under $15, a very good deal.

Lunch is served in Trattoria Il Mulino, that's the casual side in case you weren't paying attention, Wednesday through Sunday.

There's a Happy Hour Tuesday through Sunday in the lounge from 4:30-6:30 p.m., a Happy Hour Friday and Saturday from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. and a Jazz Brunch every Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

If all this is a bit confusing as to what side is which, just go to opentable.com.