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Girl Gone Travel

North America, Travel
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January 14, 2011

The fun of Eataly

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When I heard the news of Eataly’s opening (located at 200 Fifth Avenue), I decided to wait out the excitement of the crowds that I knew would surely follow. And follow it did, with people waiting on long lines for the many authentic Italian goods, as well as a chance to eat at one of their many restaurants. There’s great cause for it too as this 50,000 square – foot space, adoringly called an Italian food theme park -by my husband- has pretty much everything your little Italian food craving heart could desire.

Before we walked completely into the space we sat and enjoyed an espresso and a mini cannoli. A woman sitting in front of me admired the quaint size of my treat, while asking for confirmation of what it was. “Yes, it’s a cannoli,” I responded, “an expensive, but delicious cannoli”. “Well,” she responded,”most good things in life are (expensive).”

I don’t agree with that statement at all, especially as a New Yorker, but I do agree that more often than not, paying for the convenience of finding something good is certainly worth it. It is not rare to find much of what one would in Eataly in parts of Brooklyn and even lower Manhattan, however, the fact that it can all be conveniently accessed in one huge market is definitely a treat if you don’t mind paying a little more for it.

I was fortunate to have gone early on a week day, just before the lunch crowd arrived. This was great because I avoided the notoriously long lines and was able to enjoy a leisurely walk through the market and even chat it up with some of the vendors while being treated to some tastings. If you want to visit the market with kids, this is the time to go.

Walking through the market is a definite must, even if you are not planning on shopping for anything- though chances are you will. There is nothing more tempting than buying fresh kneaded pasta or cut mozzarella. The glimpse of truffles made my mouth water, and the cheese and meat selections inspire entertaining and feasting.

I didn’t take the time to sit and eat at any of their restaurants, but people were slowing lining up for them, and those already eating seemed to be enjoying their meal.

I did however like perusing through all the Italian brands, from sauces to olive oils, dried pasta to sea salts. I also think it very exciting that they offer culinary courses on site offered by Chef Lidia Bastianich at La Scuola, the prices of many of the courses I did find to be reasonable.

This isn’t the only place in New York City where you can find fresh, authentic Italian goods, but it has quickly grown to be a favorite among many people I have spoken to and it does deliver the Italian flavors we love so much. I left with a great big bag of groceries and a wonderful inspiration to create some magic in my kitchen, which in the end is worth every single penny.

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Carol Cain

Brooklyn native Carol is happiest when on an adventure, whether close to home or farther away. She is a small business owner and travel writer. In addition to creating Girl Gone Travel, she is the Founder and Principal of Brave World Media, a social media marketing, communications, and branding agency. She's mom to three wonderful sons and wife to a handsome Irish/Scot. She lives, works, and plays in the beautiful Finger Lakes region of NY.

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6 Comments
  • Kirsten
    January 14, 2011

    I went just after the opening, while I was in town for MeetPlanGo. Spencer went with me and we both very much enjoyed the food we had. However, the crowds at that time did make it an overwhelming experience. I plan to go back in February and see what it's like now that the newness has worn off. After all, Italian and Mexican are my two favorite cuisines. I have a hard time staying away from places that serve either type of food!

    Reply
    • Carol Cain
      Kirsten
      January 14, 2011

      Kirsten, let me know, I'd love to join you! But if we can't go together, just remember, in the AM before lunch!

      Reply
  • NYCPatty
    January 14, 2011

    Looks AMAZING! I cannot wait to go there!

    Reply
    • Carol Cain
      NYCPatty
      January 14, 2011

      Hope you get there soon Patty!

      Reply
  • Mary Jo Manzanares
    January 15, 2011

    Thanks for the review. I was wondering if it would live up to it's billing or descend into some sort of ethnic fast food hell. I'll be putting it on my to-see list for my next NYC visit.

    Reply
    • Carol Cain
      Mary Jo Manzanares
      January 15, 2011

      Not at all Mary Jo! It's very well done : )

      Reply

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About me

Hi! I'm Carol! I am an award-winning travel blogger, a keynote speaker, and the Principal and owner of Brave World Media, a social media marketing, communications, and branding agency. I a wife to a handsome Irish/Scot and a mom to 3 sons. Welcome to my blog where I share stories of my travels and professional public relations insights and advice. Thank you for reading and for your support!

Carol Cain

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A message about yesterday’s event: Happy Monday A message about yesterday’s event:

Happy Monday, y’all. Woke up in time to enjoy the soft glow of sunlight that shines its way around our house in the morning, and sipped on a cafecito without being rushed for anything. So already today is a win. 

Yesterday we worked our longest day yet for our little coffee cart that could (7 hours!!!) at the Heritage Fiesta in Ithaca, NY. 

Though we were ready for a crowd, the reception was also unexpected because there was a popular coffee shop just steps away. 

But we had Cómodo Fam stop by, family (who also fed us 🙏🏾), and soooo many members of the Latinx and BIPOC community who were just excited to see a small business like ours representing. 

I want to share that we were ALL worried about potential harassment and assault by 🧊and fliers were handed out to prepare us. And you would think that it would’ve intimidated the community enough to not come out…BUT WE DID. In numbers. 

And for hours that little parking lot next to Press Bay Alley was packed with all sorts of Latinx and non-Latinx community members, eating, laughing, dancing, singing, and drinking all the cafecitos and refreshers we had to offer. Literally. We went home cleaned out!

All this to say that we are all aware of the threats but we also understand the power and importance of coming together as a community and a people. By no means are we all the same, and Lord knows a lot of Latinos have a lot of self-reflecting to do based on the choices they made, but yesterday was a testament to the best of us, and I thank @yenospina and @lcatompkins for putting together such a wonderful event, for inviting @cafecomodony to be a part of it, and to all the friends, old and new, who came out to support us and la cultura. 

#fingerlakes #newyork #cafecomodo #coffeelover
Finally taking a break to enjoy one of my favorite Finally taking a break to enjoy one of my favorite lazy day pastimes of the season: market shopping for fall goodies - which in the Finger Lakes is especially bountiful. 

📍Joseph’s Wayside Markey, Naples, NY

#fingerlakes #newyork #octobermood #fallday
Our neighbors are harvesting the grapes. The proce Our neighbors are harvesting the grapes. The process is busy and noisy but also exciting and fun to watch. 

This cloudy morning seems to have calmed things down a bit, but not for long I am sure. These families work hard!

Bonus: they set up roadside stands so we can purchase and taste them 🍇 I highly recommend picking some up if you see some in your drive. 

#fingerlakes #lifeinthecountry #newyork
The rain has been so good. More, please. ❤️ The rain has been so good. More, please. ❤️
I want to take moment to send out love to my fello I want to take moment to send out love to my fellow Latinx and immigrant community. 

To send strength to my community of glorious misfits who are out in the world making good trouble and emboldening us to not give up hope on our dreams, our livelihoods, our future, our country, our people. 

The country our parents worked so hard to get to so that we could fly. A country they helped build and bring to prosper. A country our communities help to feed and house and care for. 

I am my immigrant parents dream come true, and my children are a continuation of that dream. 

I just want to remind all of us who represent the targeted, of our worth. Of the value of our contributions. In our languages, our culture, our insights, our work ethic and skills and knowledge. Of the things we bring to the table.

I don’t know what will happen tomorrow, or to us. But, as someone whose family lived through a dictatorship, I have an idea of how this story will end. And all I can advise is that we remain on the right side of it, our convictions unaltered, our core values untethered. Our spirits unbroken. In these stories, the monsters might scare us, and even harm some of us, but they never, ever win in the end. 

I am living proof of that. ❤️ And every time you succeed and feel joy, you are too. Pa’lante, mi gente.
Signs of autumn 🍂 in the Finger Lakes. Signs of autumn 🍂 in the Finger Lakes.

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