Honestly, there is so much I can tell you about Eataly, but one must experience it on their own. Taking in the different sight's, sounds, and smells. It is one of the most wonderful experiences and an addition to the wonders of the world, food world that is, here in the states.
Oscar Farinetti opened his groundbreaking food and wine market in Turino, Italy followed by three other locations in Bologna, Florence, and Rome.
In 2010 there was a merging of the minds and culinary talent when Oscar teamed up with Mario Batali, Joe Bastianich, and Lidia Matticchio opening their first location, the largest artisan Italian food and wine marketplace in the world at 51,000 square feet. Located in New York City at 200 5th Ave. between 22nd and 23rd Streets, with a second opening in Chicago by the end of 2013.
I had first walked through the doors of this amazing place on the advice of a friend. Have you ever been to Eataly? No, I replied... Well, you need to go!
My son and I had gone to The NYC International Car Show while there we decided to make our way over to Eataly. But being pressed for time that day, we could not stay. As I was walking around for the short time we were there an employee approached me. Hello! she said, with a smile. Can I help you? Yes, I am trying to find the Gelato. Hold on she replied, I will get you a map. As she walked away I had thought to myself, a map! How big is this place? It was no more than a week later I made my way back for a two and a half hour tour. If anything, here is where you want to be lost forever.
With all the hustle and bussel that is going on in the streets of New York City, the people rushing to get from one place to another, cars and trucks beeping in the midst of day. Once you open the doors to Eataly, take your first step in, you are drawn to a way of life, a culture "it is in the air" with the outside becoming no more. "Eataly is Italy" in every aspect. With many ways to describe this grand market I would start off with "beautifully scrumptious".
This is not just a market place with exceptional products, but a gathering place, that hosts seven restaurants, including Birreria, a rooftop restaurant and brewery that offers quality beer and food under the stars at night and skyline during the day. Each brew is served through traditional hand pumps and the perfect temperature just 30 feet away from where you are eating.
The restaurants inside are located just behind their specialty counters of products.
Il Pesce has a seated counter area and table service. With a raw bar, using their selection of seafood in Italian Antipasti and creative dishes.
Le Verdure, also a seated counter with table service serves vegetable dishes that include soups with warm and cold dishes mirroring the flavors of Italy.
La Pizza and La Pasta, serves dried and fresh pasta's along with Rossopomodoro pizza, topped with the best San Marzano tomato's that are grown on a particular hillside in Naples, cooking them in brick ovens that were brought over from Italy makes these 10" individual pizza's primo. Close your eyes, take a bit while your taste buds transcend to another part of the world.
Manzo Ristorante, Manzo; meaning beef in Italian, brings it to the table in the highest of quality. A formal dining experience with white linen table cloths, a grand bar with an extensive wine list or a mixed cocktail if you choose.. You can experience modern Italian beef dishes to traditional Piedmont's beef antipasti. Also specializing in wild game with boar sausage and rabbit..
In the heart of Eataly is "La Piazza" meaning "the square" a gathering place that every little town in Italy has, where meeting or making new friends goes hand in hand with traditions. I Salumi and I Formaggi serves up tastings with a variety of salami's, cheeses, fresh mozzarella, and a raw bar that can be paired with a nice glass of wine or a beer of your liking. Stay a while eat, drink, and converse while enjoying the experience of the food and company in the La Piazza.
But that's not all, looking for a quick pick me up accompanied by something sweet, Caffe' Vergnano 1882 an espresso bar and The Pasticceria which offers small bite desserts and pastries that are delicately beautiful and sinfully delicious...
Italy is also known for there nuts, finding them in mostly everything. In the North, the Piedmont region are Hazelnuts, in the southern region, Sicily, you will find pinoli, pine nuts, and pistachios. At Venchi you can order a shot of Gianduja, here in America the familiar name would be Nutella, which is nothing like what they are serving up, indulge in the purest form of what is true that includes an assortment of fine chocolates.
Gelateria, brings to you that rich, creamy, silky gelato in traditional flavors of Italy right there at your fingertips..
Italy is also known for there nuts, finding them in mostly everything. In the North, the Piedmont region are Hazelnuts, in the southern region, Sicily, you will find pinoli, pine nuts, and pistachios. At Venchi you can order a shot of Gianduja, here in America the familiar name would be Nutella, which is nothing like what they are serving up, indulge in the purest form of what is true that includes an assortment of fine chocolates.
Gelateria, brings to you that rich, creamy, silky gelato in traditional flavors of Italy right there at your fingertips..
We are not just "talking" artisan Italian food, they are "doing" artisan Italian food. Starting with the bread baking in the heart of the market that beats 24/7 round the clock in a brick oven that was brought over from Spain. Focaccia, Semolina, and Rustic Fig are just a few of the choices, making that panini all the more delicious.
The Rosticceria offers meats from the butcher counter that are slowly roasted, maintaining their wonderful flavors accompanied with fragrant herbs. Most popular, the prime rib sandwich tender, juicy, perfect in every way.
Here they are making Fresh Mozzarella every 20 minutes, a cheese counter stocked with varieties of cheeses from around the world. Olives that are harvested in Italy, bringing to you a selection of truly pure Olive Oil's, and balsamic that ranges from balsamic vinegar that is aged 7 months, to top shelf balsamic that is aged between 12-20 years. Each one with different standards, different quality levels, different from the other in every aspect and purely tantalizing to the tongue...
While shopping through this wonderful market sip on a glass of your favorite vino making the experience all the more unique..
Homemade, hand rolled traditional pasta's, squid tagliatella that is deep in color, rich in flavor to ravioli's with a ricotta base that are stuffed with sweet spring pea's, spinach, and pecorino Romano. Biting into one of those you get the salty rush of the pecorino followed by the bright flavors of the pea's and spinach, cleansing your palette for the next...
La Pizza and La Pasta, the making of fresh mozzarella and Neapolitan pizza's are done by skilled, trained, professionals straight from Italy. Not only do you taste the quality of the product, but they posses a passion, a love for this wonderful food and culture as well, that resonates in each and every bite.
Boasting a produce area of fresh, delicious, fruits and vegetables, offering to prep your selections for you, all you have to do is go home and create that beautiful meal.
What is stipulated is "fresh, clean, and fair"
practicing what they preach in every aspect..
Each product is as fresh as can be, clean, nothing goes into your body that has been around, at fair market price.
Taking very simple ingredients and turning them into something extraordinary...
"Eataly" is a whole learning experience!
The lucky ones are those who live within reasonable distance to this amazing place . If your not that fortunate and are visiting New York City make it a point to stop on in, grab a map, explore, stay awhile, eat, drink and enjoy the fare and culture.
Ending my day with a whipped frozen espresso, sitting in the Gelateria, taking in every last moment, I say,
Magnifico Oscar, Mario, Joe and Lida, we thank you for bringing Italy to us!!
Until we meet again,
Arrivederci Bella
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