New York's Latest and Greatest Food Destination: Eataly

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All my friends could tell me before we arrived at Eataly was that I was going to love it, absolutely and completely love it.

I can understand why they had a hard time describing Eataly. It's an overwhelming and exhilarating wonderland of food-related experiences, as if someone had a vision for the best grocery shopping, dining, socializing, sampling, and tasting experience and put it together all under one roof: Eataly.  Those someones are restaurant and culinary magnates Mario Batali, Joe Bastianich, Lidia Matticchio Bastianich and founder of the existing Eataly market in Turin, Italy: Oscar Farinetti.

The store feels very much like an indoor European market or plaza, an agglomeration of restaurants, grocery stores, wine bars, and specialty vendors. Even the interior architecture is reminiscent of regal Italian buildings, with grand arches and opulent decor that reminds me of my visit to the Vatican.

On a Saturday at 4, Eataly was packed to the point that they had agents monitoring the number of people inside over walkie-talkies to ensure they wouldn't exceed capacity. There were literally crowds of people shopping for fine Italian spaghetti and sauces, browsing the array of sexy kitchen goods, mingling over proscuitto and cheese plates, sampling wines, and kids making the difficult decision of which gelato to choose.

If you haven't been there yet, you must see for yourself. Eataly occupies a city block in the Toy Building at 200 Fifth Ave between 23rd and 24th Street.

Here's an article about Eataly from the New York Post: http://www.nypost.com/p/lifestyle/food/welcome_to_eataly_G5QHOIVyNtzG44tyFb5GVM

And another from Eater.com that could not be more aptly called "Welcome to Eataly, a 50,000 Sq. Ft. Italian Culinary Funhouse" with pictures: http://ny.eater.com/archives/2010/08/first-look-at-culinary-funhouse-eataly.php

You can even get an Eataly iWhatever App with recipes, wine lists, and what's in season: http://www.newyork.eataly.it/index.php/eataly-iphone-app/

Your Picks: Best Restaurants in the Lehigh Valley

This map is a compilation of favorite restaurants as identified by various members of the Lehigh Valley, collected on the Twitter network by me, @imanihamilton.
 
If you are interested in adding your favorites to the list, find me on Twitter or comment here-and feel free to add your menu recommendations as well!

P.S. Where people offered specific recommendations, I included this information. More additions welcome.
Also, places without links to their website/menu I found and added in the description.



Too small? View Lehigh Valley's Favorite Restaurants in a larger map, which includes the master list on the side.

Restaurant opening: Hello Burrito!

A few days ago, my fellow J198 classmate and I ventured over to Broad Street on Bethlehem's North Side to check out the area's newest restaurant, Hello Burrito. Enjoyed a Southwest Burrito to start classic, but I'm also intrigued by both the Mango burrito and Thai burrito for my next visits. The soups sound great too, especially on a day like today.
For your curiosity, here's their menu: http://www.helloburritobethlehem.com/

The question is, will it be the North Side's new hot spot?

Here's the story: