Day Trip to Eataly

I don’t know about you, but given the choice, I would love nothing better than the chance to immerse myself in all things Italian – preferably while actually strolling the ancient, picturesque streets of Italy. And while it may be impossible to pull that off as a day trip, there is a more convenient alternative for area residents in search of a delectable dose of la dolce vita. The aptly named Eataly, a sprawling, bustling NYC emporium bursting at the seams with every variety of Italian culinary commodities, offers throngs of New Yorkers, suburbanites, and tourists from all over the globe a virtual smorgasbord of gourmet foods, wines, beers, desserts, produce, and more under one metropolitan roof. 

Located in the former Toy Building at 200 Fifth Avenue, between 23rd and 24th Streets, Eataly is the brainchild of Italian-American culinary superstars Mario Batali, Joe Bastianich, and Lidia Matticchio Bastianich, partnered together with founder and creator Oscar Farinetti, who is also the founder of a gourmet food and wine market in Turin, Italy. The manifesto of their collective love affair with Italian food, brought to life at Eataly, is simple: “Eat.  Shop.  Learn.” The 50,000-square-foot complex opened its doors in August 2010, with a marketplace offering fresh, high-quality cheeses and chocolates, pastries and produce, breads and beverages, salami and sauces, antipasti, olive oils, fish, pizza and – of course – plenty of pasta. 

The high-ceilinged maze of gourmet retail displays is divided into sections, allowing shoppers to better sort through the overwhelming variety of goods by category. Wide glass cases of fresh fish on ice, towering shelves of oils and vinegars, bins of freshly brick-oven-baked artisan breads, choice cuts of prime meat, and refrigerated displays of exquisite cheeses are all interspersed with corresponding themed eateries, where shoppers can sit and enjoy a delicious meal made from the very same ingredients that are offered onsite – indeed, just a few away from where they are seated.

Reservations are suggested at some of the more formal or popular restaurants and may be made at central host stations, while other venues are a more laidback, walk-up affair. Whatever setting they choose, diners are afforded not just a treat for the palate, but terrific people-watching, as well. Newcomers (and repeat visitors, too) are well-advised to check a copy of the floor plan upon arrival at Eataly and while perusing the products and dining choices, so as not to miss anything.

The dozen dining establishments include everything from specialty sandwiches at La Rosticceria or I Panini to creative seafood selections at Il Pesce to more formal steakhouse dining at Manzo. Don’t forget to leave room for dessert, whether it’s authentically decadent pastries at Pasticceria or creamy, sweet gelato in a rainbow of flavors at Gelateria.

Once you’ve eaten and then made the rounds to discover and purchase yet more tasty treasures to bring home in your grocery bag, you may find yourself wondering, “When in Rome, how DO the Romans cook?” If that’s the case, check out the renowned Rizzoli New York bookstore, featuring titles dedicated to the fine art of Italian food and wine.

Of course, perfection requires more than just reading a recipe and precise preparation requires the proper tools, so there is also an abundance of attractive and well-designed appliances, utensils, and housewares available for purchase, all with just the right touch of European style by noted manufacturers.

If you’ve gotten to this point and feel like raising a glass to toast all things Eataly, there is a menu for that, too! The onsite wine store provides a variety of Italian vintages, while the year-round rooftop beer garden provides an extensive array of Italian brews as well as food. If you’re looking for a warm way to beat winter’s chill, go and meet the baristas at either Caffe Vergnano or Caffe Lavazza, where you will find perfect blends of coffee, tea, and espresso to savor.

But wait – there’s more! The collaborators of Eataly take their mission so seriously and want so much for their patrons to have fun with the Italian culinary experience that they also offer various cooking school classes at La Scuola di Eataly. Students have the opportunity to learn about Italian language, culture, products, healthy lifestyles, and travel from visiting chefs, instructors, and Eataly’s own team of experts, all while enjoying related food and wine tastings. Along with class schedules, the website also lists the dates of special events, both educational and entertaining, throughout the year that are well worth the trip. 

And speaking of travel, it may come as no surprise by this point that Eataly also provides an onsite center for travel services. Which is more than a little ironic for the Italian-loving day trippers among us who, perhaps unable to make the transatlantic voyage to Lo Stivale (The Boot) just now, will happily make the excursion to Manhattan to immerse themselves in Eataly.

For more detailed information about everything on the menu, both literally and figuratively, visit www.eatalyny.com.