Italy in Eataly

Last week, my post reflected on Venice, as I remembered it for its beauty and spirit. Today’s post is also about Italy. Wait. No…let me correct myself. It’s about Eataly.

That’s right.

Eataly.

And it’s located at 200 5^th Avenue in New York City.

What is it? you ask. It’s as its website describes: “…more than a supermarket with restaurants…Eataly is the heartbeat of Italy.” Only it’s in Manhattan.

Oscar Farinetti is the mastermind behind it, and partnering with him are renowned chefs Mario Batali and his friends, Lidia and Joe Bastianich.

If you like to eat Italian food, smell Italian food, watch people savor Italian food, shop for Italian food, sample Italian wines, eat creamy Italian gelato, or like to write about Italian foods (and the people who eat them), you will not want to skip out on this treasure. The place was enormous and packed with Italian foods, breads, pastries, olives, fresh pastas…the list goes on and on. And, as an added bonus, it’s an experience.

This past weekend, I visited New York and I thrive on visiting places like this and sampling the foods. In the novel I’ve just completed, my main character’s mother owns a pasticceria, so every chance I get to explore and take notes on the feel of places like this helps inspire me to document them accurately, keenly using my senses as a guide.

If you get a chance to go to New York City soon, I encourage you to make the trip to Eataly.

Your taste buds will thank you for it.