Issue link: http://papercitymagazine.uberflip.com/i/1322158
A fter more than a year of anticipation and pandemic setbacks, Eataly finally gave Dallas g o o d n e w s : The beloved Italian food hall was opening its NorthPark Center market — the first in Texas — in time for the holidays. The 46,000-square-foot marketplace stocks more than 10,000 exceptional food products, 1,200-plus Italian wines and liquors, three restaurants (including rooftop Terra with treetop views), a cooking school (virtual, to start), and classic food stalls that transport shoppers to bustling Italy, where prized Alba white truffles and hard- to-find brands abound. Knowledgeable staffers man the counters of La Pasticceria (order authentic Italian cakes or grab a monoporzione and espresso to go); Salumi & Formaggi with its staggering cheese and meat collection and prosciutto crudo from five different DOPs; La Gastronomia (hot and cold take-away meals); La Pescheria; and La Macelleria, where the majority of its meat is sourced from Texas. Pull up a barstool and watch the masters assemble fresh pasta, made with local eggs and Italian flour, or observe Eataly's cheesemongers at work in the Mozzarella Lab. Fresh bread made in-house with natural mother yeast, can be paired with 100 percent extra virgin olive oil imported from Italy. Or, enjoy a scoop of real-deal gelato. For many, the allure of Eataly — founded in Turin in 2007 — is about discovery. It's the joy of wandering down rows of food products, glass of Italian wine or local beer in hand, and perusing the best of the best, whether sourced from a small market in Italy or a producer doing great things not far from home. "We're bringing new Italian products, but we're also bringing together local vendors who share our passion for food," says Adam Saper, Eataly partner. "We're creating an experience — something we don't think Dallas has seen yet." Eataly is undeniably a juggernaut, but the educational emporium won't displace local gems — instead, it gives talented small producers like Milk & Patience and A Bar N Ranch a well- deserved lift. Though the team searched the entire city, Eataly settled on NorthPark Center — one of the top shopping centers in the country — for both its accessibility and its celebration of art. Eataly Dallas plans to contribute their own masterpieces — ones created in the kitchen. Eataly Dallas, NorthPark Center, 469.759.2800, eataly.com. BY CAITLIN CLARK. PHOTOGRAPHY ALLISON DAVID. FROM EATALY WITH LOVE Lasagne Emiliane at La Pizza & La Pasta restaurant within Eataly Caprese antipasto with sea salt and extra virgin olive oil Rib eye Appesa with Polenta Funghi e Tartufo at Terra Marinated Italian olives antipasto 74