Mulberry Street is a very successful New York style Italian restaurant located in down town Fullerton. We were, for a long time, curious about its history. So, in order to find out, we made an appointment with Dennis Bevins owner and founder of Mulberry Street.
Dennis, of Italian background, was reared in Connecticut. As a young man he spent a lot of time in New York, particularly in the little Italy district. He held various positions in the restaurant business. For several years Dennis and his wife Suzan entertained the idea of opening a Deli New York style. When they moved to Fullerton and discovered the old building located on West Wilshire, gradually the dream became bigger. A New York style Italian restaurant was about to be born.
The restoration of the building took time and effort. On a budget, the young couple, with help of their families, acquired furniture, and all kitchen and dinningware, from restaurant auctions.They only splurged on a beautiful custom built Mahogany bar to create the back east atmosphere. They gathered old black and white pictures of little Italy to decorate, installed two blackboards to post the daily specials with chalk. Then with dimmed lights, white tablecloths, Mulberry Street of Fullerton was ready to open its doors November 30th 1984.
As we asked Dennis, "How did you select the dishes to build your menu? "
He smiled , "Back in Connecticut, a friend of mine, at an early age, started an Italian restaurant. I used to hang out there a lot. I had a great time. I loved every dish on the menu, so I tried to recreate them ".
What a success! The pastas dishes are mouth watering: Capellini a la Checca, Fettuccini carbonara, Fettuccini Florentine all made fresh to order. However, Dennis told us that, although listed on all tourists guides as Italian, he would prefer Mulberry Street to be recognized as an American restaurant with an Italian flair. We agree with him. Over the years a lot of fresh seafood has been added to the menu; Blue point oysters on the half shell, clams, mussels. Also cooked seafood dishes: Cioppino, Shrimps pineola, and Calamari marinara.
Personally, we particularly enjoy the Veal Piccata: medallions of milk fed veal, sauted in butter with capers, fresh lemon and white wine, also the steak Mulberry: broiled NY steak topped with sauted mushrooms, sun dried tomatoes, onions, in brown brandy sauce. Great homemade soups and deserts are featured daily. Let's not forget two signature items: Mulberry house dressing, a family recipe, very mild and creamy blue cheese dressing and the cottage fries: freshly peeled potatoes sliced very thin, almost like chips and cooked on demand, creation of Tim, Dennis's brother.
Who comes to Mulberry Street? At lunch time, attorneys, judges, business executives from the Court and large corporations near by lineup at the bar for a quick quality lunch or gather in the dining room to entertain clients or celebrate staff’s birthdays. At Happy hour, people from all walks of life come to relax and enjoy the tasty free appetizers. At that time of the day Mulberry almost becomes “Cheers”. Everyone knows everyone by his first name. Evenings are more formal and romantic; it is time to enjoy fine wines sold by the glass or the bottle.
The head chef, lead bartender and server have been with the company for close to 20 years. The operation runs smooth, everyone knows his place, his job, and is very attentive to the needs of the customers.
Mulberry street is located 114 West Wilshire Avenue in Fullerton, Ca. Telephone 714 525-1056. Lunch Mon-Sat 11Am-3PM: Dinner seven nights from 5 PM.
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