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Mario Batali's Eataly Opens in NYC on August 31

by Jordan Yerman | August 25, 2010 at 08:00 am

21003 views | 0 Recommendations | 9 comments

Eataly: Italian Import Megastore to Open at 200 5th Ave in Manhattan

Eataly, a grocery store/restaurant featuring imported Italian food and ingredients, is opening its doors on August 31. Eataly, which resides on 5th Ave at 23rd St, is the brainchild of Joe Bastianich, Lidia Bastianich, Mario Batali (of Iron Chef America and expensive orange kitchenware fame) and Oscar Farinett.

Front-man Mario Batali, who said that New York "needs a temple" for food, is pushing the high-end factor, which is a sure enticement for Manhattanites. Since Little Italy gets a bit smaller each year, those hungry for real Italian food yet too lazy to go to Brooklyn, Queens or the North Bronx will likely beat a path to Eataly's door. Its Madison Square Park location doesn't hurt, either.

Is Eataly more giant grocery store, more food hall, or a seamless blend of both?
We’re not a food hall. We’re a grocery store with tasting rooms and restaurants. We don’t want you to just come and eat and walk away. We want you to come and taste some things and then take them home and cook them.

Kind of like an advanced form of plying unsuspecting customers with free samples?
Exactly, except we’re charging them for it.

Most of the dry goods will be Italian, while produce will be locally sourced, and Eataly will boast a "vegetable butcher".

While the packaged goods are mostly imported from Italy (and most are at import prices), the meat and produce is all local. Vegetables come straight from rooftop farm Brooklyn Grange (of Queens), and come Novermber beer will be brewed right on their 300-seat rooftop microbrewery, which will be run by Dogfish Head. "Guest brewers" from Italy will also set up shop every month to create seasonal brews. And we're guessing the crowd once that opens will be enough to rival their neighbors, Shake Shack.

Stepping up to the Shake Shack is no mean feat: if you want a burger at lunch from that place, you have to queue up during breakfast.

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Crista DeRoma (not verified)

at 05:59 on August 27th, 2010

I am so excited and can't wait to enjoy the true taste of Italy........when will Manzo start taking reservations? Thank you Lidia, Joe & Mario for bringing a taste of Italy to NY(goodbye mulberry street)

umberto piperno (not verified)

at 20:21 on August 30th, 2010

i'm thw italian gourmet rabbi expert in italian kosher food,like prosciutto d'oca.goose prosciutto sheep salami,bottarga,mozzarella di bufala dop,kosher top wines please call me at 347 2848728 or email ravpiperno@hotmail.com

Dr.yoseph Zucker (not verified)

at 20:26 on August 30th, 2010

i know Rabbi Piperno.makes extraordinary kosher gourmet italian food is important to have a kosher sedtion in your store

dr.joseph zucker (not verified)

at 20:30 on August 30th, 2010

is very important to make a kosher corner,in new york there are 16% kosher keeping costumers Rabbi Piperno's products are wonderful ,really italian

Cesar de la Guardia (not verified)

at 05:46 on September 1st, 2010

I know the quality of the food is going to be great. (That’s Mario's way). I just hope the prices are not like the ones they have at his favorite food store in downtown <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 />Bologna. Buona fortuna Mario