Eataly, not Italy!

While we were in NYC, we had to stop by this place. This was a lot of fun. If you're staying in Times Square, either take a quick 5 minute ride on the subway or cab it. Plan on spending a couple of hours there. Be sure to go on an empty stomach so you can sample all the food and wine that they have to offer. +Eataly 

Eataly, New York, United States

Eataly is a high-end Italian food market that is filled with a variety of food stations, restaurants, and a bakery. +Joe Bastianich (from the TV show- Master Chef), +Lidia Bastianich (Joe's mother and well known Italian Chef), and the one and only +Mario Batali are the faces of Eataly. 

Fresh pasta being made right before our eyes...

Of course we had to have our first lunch here at one of the food stands... This is an assortment of the best cheese and salumi of Eataly for just $22 for the grande piatti de misti di salumi e formaggio.

With the vast selection of fresh pasta, vegetables, cheese, and meats, we couldn't resist but to buy some and prepare a home cooked Italian dinner in our hotel room. When we got back to our room, we were surprised to find this gift basket from our friends Ed & Tammy Kubo all the way back home from Honolulu. It was a perfect start to an amazing vacation!

Using the few pots and pans we had in our little kitchenette, we were able to whip up this amazing dinner.

Fresh pasta, Mario Batali alla vodka sauce, with wild boar sausage

Salad, pasta and wine... Yummo!

NOTE: I was so excited that we were able to visit +Mario Batali's Eataly. I got even more excited when I found his alla vodka pasta sauce. We ended up shipping 3 bottles to Hawaii! When I got home, I shared my experience with my mother who is a very good cook. She replied, "Haven't you seen it sold at Foodland?" Needless to say, you probably could find it at your local grocery store.