Eat Better, Live Better.
Welcome to heaven.
Eataly is relatively new (within the last couple of years) to New York City. With several locations throughout Italy and Japan – Mario Batali, Joe Bastianich (Master Chef, anyone? No? I’m the only huge giant food nerd?! Okay, moving on…) and Lidia Bastianich (Joe’s Mother – world class Italian chef) opened Eataly NYC in late 2010.
Welcome to heaven.
The best way I can describe this place, is a giant authentic Italian Market (I’m talking roughly 50,000+ sq. feet) with little cafes and food counters within it. Jen said she had heard it was known to be something of a foodie religious experience. I honestly, could not describe it better. That’s exactly what it was to me. My food loving, culinary nerd side was SO in love. There was delicious, fresh foods surrounding us at every single turn! If I didn’t already have THREE extra bags of things for the bus ride home than I arrived with – I would have bought SO many things and drained my bank account (so perhaps that’s a blessing in disguise 
)
We were pretty hungry after the days events so we decided to stuff our faces before doing the grand tour of the entire market. We more or less immediately decided “PIZZA” it was supposed to be the best of the best. We opted to get 3 pizzas and spit them. We ordered, the Margherita, Quattro Formaggi, and the Napoletana. Oh. Muh. LAWD!
Drooling.
It was honestly, sinfully delicious. They were all AMAZING, but my favorite was hands down the Margherita. Something about a traditional pizza, made the way they do it back in Italy <3 ahh
Tomato Sauce. Fresh Mozzarella. Fresh Basil.
Of course, it isn’t a trip to “italy” eating authentic pizza unless I get a glass of wine….
Prosecco. Yum!
The market was breath taking, and completely overwhelming. It’s like the food version of Grand Central Station, I swear! So busy and people everywhere with one thing on their mind. Only, instead of travel it’s FOOD FOOD FOOD. 
There was not a counter or section that wasn’t buzzing.
First stop, Pastas and Sauces.
Yes, that is a LIGHT made out of tortellini pasta
After the pastas and sauces we meandered over to the meat butchers and seafood shops. Considering Jen and Josephine are vegetarians they were great sports about it! Next time I go, I’m going to have to get some sort of giant sandwich. Mmmm. (Oh yes, there will be a next time! )
kind of startled me when I rounded the corner & saw this guy….
Next we rounded the corner to the fresh produce market. <3 SO many fruits & veggies it was overwhelming. haha.
HOLY mushrooms, y’all!!
ohhh and the CHEEESEEE <3
My Weakness. MUST BREAK THIS HABIT ooof
We eventually made our way back to the front near the Coffee and Gelato area…
Espresso Machine! too cool
Jen got some sort of yummy Gelato. I really wanted to, but was already uncomfortably full haha. I’m kicking myself now for not getting any though… Le sigh Sadly I didn’t get a shot of her yummi gelato.
All in All? 5 Stars in my opinion! While the crowds were a bit chaotic, and the prices were pretty steep, the over all experience was everything my chefy side adores. I felt like I was in fresh Italian markets. It was complete sensory overload! I LOVED it, so much and I will be returning every trip to NY from now on! Z already made me promise we’ll go get pizza there when we return to the city in June for the Mini 10k!
& to walk outside, after this incredible journey through “Italy” in the middle of Manhattan, you find yourself right next to the Flatiron Building – my absolute favorite building in the entire city!
<3
&& as if this isn’t all amazing enough, there are classes available – instructed by Lidia Bastianich. Visit the EATALY website for more information!
Have YOU ever been to EATALY? What was your experience?
