Eataly is now OPEN for business!!

So the highly anticipated EATALY finally opened up this week and I happened to be in the area and spent a good chunk of my afternoon browsing the 50,000 square food marketplace! It was definitely quite spectacular with several stations specializing in Italy's finest--a cheese station dedicated to good ol' aged cheese, a pasta station to carb your hearts desire, a dessert station to give you enough cavities for a lifetime, a coffee station filled with expresso beans so aromatic that the smell and flavor cling to your clothes as your walk pass, and the list goes on and on! There were meats, seafoods, pizzas, breads, dry pastas, jams, and even fresh produce. I can't even begin to name everything I saw and smelled. Not related to food was a cute little market place filled with Italian Housewares--who knew that the Italians were competing against the Swiss to have classy and modern housewares? (IKEA watch out!)

I was definitely impressed and quite overwhelmed by the crowd and the assortment of Italian food and delicacies available. Mr. Mario Batali and Mr. Joe Bastianich are the co-conspiring geniuses behind this Italian food mega mart. I think Eataly takes on a whole new meaning to the phrase "mega mart" especially here in NYC. So how are Manhattanites and fellow Foodies handling this extravagant Italian eatery plus some? Well, looking at the huge crowds, it sure hasn't disappointed anyone yet. It's definitely a tourist attraction located right in the heart of the Flatiron district on 23rd Street and 24th Street just across the way from Madison Square Park where we have the famous Shake Shack. So if you're in the area and the burgers and fries in the park just isn't going to cut it or if you have a dire need to try out NYC's finest Italian Cuisine, I suggest you swing by to check out the assortment of menus over at Eataly. There is also an Eataly Wine Store with very knowledgeable sales associates, (or should I be calling them wine connoisseurs?), who can help you select a bottle for your next wine and cheese soirée! Their Seasonal Rooftop Beer Garden will be open in November--I can't wait to check this out!

Seriously, swing by for a self guided tour, and EAT up!