So, what exactly is Eataly?
A quick Google search will tell you that Eataly is a fusion of two words: eat and Italy. This snazzy name is used to describe an eatery that combines fresh ingredients, grocery-store style, with various hot tables and restaurant spaces. You could be walking down an aisle of fresh produce or finding yourself mesmerised by the deli and cheese counters. Then, you turn to your left and notice the seafood restaurant. Essentially, Eataly is a grocery store. Sprinkled in are some quick grab-and-go hot tables and several restaurants each specializing in a certain dish. You can select either the Seafood, Meat, or Pasta and Pizza dining areas. In addition, many locations are also equipped with spaces for cooking classes and a café, on its own floor. It certainly sounds like any food-lover’s paradise.
Why, Melissa, do you care so much about it?
I distinctly remember my grade twelve trip to New York City, where our teacher scheduled a much-appreciated field trip to Eataly NYC Flatiron. I vividly recall the neat and organized aisles filled with every type of pasta sauce imaginable. I had left the establishment in awe, craving another bowl of rigatoni Bolognese.
Over the years, I have become almost obsessed with Eataly. A grocery store and several eateries in one – what’s not to love? In pursuit of the best location, I have made it my mission to integrate Eataly into every trip imaginable. In my second year of university, I revisited that same NYC Flatiron location and ate once again at the Pizza and Pasta restaurant. This time, I was slightly more adventurous and tried their fresh squid ink linguine. I left feeling satisfied just like my first experience.
Two summers ago, on my first-ever trip to Boston, the first scheduled stop was their Eataly location, where I tried a new restaurant within the overall establishment – the Seafood station.
Due to the summer months, the venue was channeling inspiration from Amalfi lemons, and I consumed a well-cooked tilapia with a zesty lemon sauce.
The Toronto Location: Round 1
This past December, I stepped outside of the Manulife Centre elevator with high hopes and anticipation to see if this new Toronto location would measure up to the chain’s other US locations. Initially, I deflated at the size of the location.This venue felt a lot more compressed than the others, without a lot of space for individuals to maneuver around the store. However, with a love that runs deep for Eataly, I was determined to give the Toronto location a chance despite the tightened quarters.
We decided to eat at the Pizza and Pasta station at 4:30pm on a Tuesday evening, and as such, there was a short wait. After squeezing into the very tightly placed tables and almost knocking over the wine glass on the table beside me, I settled in and began to review the menu. The menu was quite expansive and after some deliberation, I decided to select a dish from the Pasta Fresca part of the menu, which consists of Eataly’s homemade fresh pasta using the simple ingredients of water, organic stone-ground flour, and local eggs. I ordered the tagliatelle alla Bolognese, which was a thin, ribbon-shaped, homemade pasta with beef & pork ragù, Mutti tomatoes, as well as Parmigiano Reggiano. When ordering, the server advised us that our meals would likely arrive at different times due to the fact that this dining area had two separate kitchens – one for the pasta and one for the pizza. Despite the awkwardness of this arrangement, once the food came, I forgot about any inconveniences that I had encountered. The pasta was fresh, well cooked (I love a good al dente dish), and immersed in a classic meat sauce. The dish was tasty, but I was still left craving the Eataly experience I remembered from visiting the US spots. I wanted more – more grandeur, more space, more dishes.
The Toronto Location: Round 2
In an attempt to reassess my initial visit and give Eataly another chance, I returned back in early January. This time, I visited on a Sunday afternoon at lunch and I was overwhelmed by the chaos of the location. I had to wait for a table, but despite being told it was a 20-minute wait, I was excited to be called back to the Pizza and Pasta eatery less than ten minutes after checking in with the host. I ordered from the Pasta Secca part of the menu, which was described as Bronze-extruded Afeltra pasta from Gragnano, Napoli and was served al dente. From these options, I ordered the rigatoni all’Amatriciana, described as Afeltra rigatoni with Mutti tomatoes, Salumificio San Carlo Guanciale, as well as Pecorino Romano. Again, I was quite happy with the freshness of the ingredients, and the simplicity of the dish, which made me appreciate its overall taste.
Final thoughts?
I definitely think that Eataly Toronto is worth a visit. I will admit that the space itself is unsatisfying – there are too many counters, lots of people, and wait times. However, I still think, at the very least, it is absolutely worth the trip for that Instagram story update. If I have convinced you to join #TeamEataly, you can get more information here: https://www.eataly.ca.