Mangia at Eataly

    

I somehow walked into Eataly twice this weekend and didn’t eat anything both times.  Let me tell you, that isn’t an easy task.  If you like Italian food in any form, it is probably represented here.  Packed to the gills both days I went.  I went the first time since I had been hearing a lot about the place when it opened, including from friends.  The second time was to show a friend how awesome the place was. 

 

The basic premise is that it is a market that you can eat at.  There are numerous stations scattered throughout such as pasta, pizza, rotisserie, cheese, seafood, etc.  You can also grab a glass of wine and just wander thru the store (I saw many customers doing this both evenings).  

In terms of variety, Eataly has it in spades.  If you want some kind of gourmet Italian ingredient, they will have it.  But it is going to cost you.  A jar of crushed tomatoes (raw, not sauce) was $7.80, so don’t expect to find any bargains.  

One thing you could do is pick up some prosciutto, cheese, and a bottle of wine and have a great picnic in Madison Park (which is where Eataly is).