Thanks to Richard Tulloch’s blog, I know that “In 2007 an old Vermouth factory was converted into a light filled temple to all things culinary.” Eataly certainly is a food lovers’ temple. I visited for the first time last year and managed a second trip in October 2010 when we were in Torino for the Salone del Gusto. We left one food mecca for another. While Salone del Gusto happens once every 2 years, Eataly is a permanent market for the lucky Torino dwellers.
inside the old Vermouth factory
fresh produce
The area is huge. As well as fresh produce, which is the best available, fresh and beautifully displayed, dozens of types of olive oil, pasta, rice, tinned vegetables and all the things you expect to find in Italy, are here. Making a decision on which one to buy is a nightmare. Clearly it is necessary to come to Torino, rent an apartment for a few months and work your way through them all.
Is this enough olive oil for you?
pasta sauce
rice
There are several options for lunch or a snack. We were there fairly early in the day, so it wasn’t very busy, but the last time we went we had to queue and do a fair amount of hovering, pushing and shoving to get a table. Italians don’t know how to queue, and if you don’t develop sharp elbows and an attitude you just might starve.
This looks tame now - but it will turn into a frenzy soon
It is truffle season, so there was an area set up for the eating of this delicious fungus. They might look like nasty lumps of mud, but they taste and smell wonderful.
black truffles
Get your truffles here
Yum!
Downstairs is the wine and beer area. The wine is arranged into wine growing regions, making it easy to find.
part of the wine area
a display by Fontanafredda - a vineyard and winery near Alba
There is a bookshop and kitchen area, making it a one stop destination for those lucky enough to live close enough to make it a regular place to do their food shopping. There is a smaller Eataly in Bologna, one in Rome and they have recently opened in new York.
things you didn't know you needed
I wonder if we will ever get an Eataly in Australia.
Wow! Look at those truffles! Looks like a wonderful place to while away a few hours, Deb!
By: Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial on January 4, 2011
at 6:03 am
Thanks for the mention. And despite it’s pathetically corny name, Eataly, Torino was indeed wonderful, as much for how the food was presented as for the selection. It’s hard to believe it wouldn’t be a huge success anywhere in the world a branch was opened up.
It would surely make a killing in Leichhardt.
By: Richard Tulloch on January 4, 2011
at 6:16 am
Oops! Pardon my incorrect use of the apostrophe! Just checking to see who knows the rule.
By: Richard Tulloch on January 4, 2011
at 6:17 am
I’ll fix it for you if you like.
By: bagnidilucca on January 4, 2011
at 6:31 am
How fabulous Deb. Thanks for this post, it is wonderful. I will just have to go there one day. What a great idea for Torino. And great that this is permanently there!
By: Moira Drexler on January 4, 2011
at 8:14 am
After drooling over that lot – I didn’t even notice the poor little apostrophe waving away in the front row trying to get it self some attention.
By: Jan on January 4, 2011
at 8:20 am
Wow, if only dear old Brisbane could offer such a market, of even better, the Gold Coast. I have been reading your blog since Liz introduced me to it very recently. I do enjoy it, and I am sure I shall get to such places in the fullness on time. My memories of Florence, Venice and Rome are all wonderful, so I, that is we, must return and venture further afield soon.
By: Naomi on January 4, 2011
at 8:32 am
We do have good food here in Brisbane – different from Italy – but good just the same. I’m glad you are enjoying the blog. Thank you for visiting.
By: bagnidilucca on January 4, 2011
at 1:23 pm
I was given some French truffles for Christmas but they were a tad small and not as fragrant as I’ve had but it was nice to be able to play with them while I could!
By: Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella on January 4, 2011
at 8:58 am
I need to know what truffles taste like. Is there any preparation that is done to them after they are pulled from the dirt and cleaned?
Eataly sounds like paradise to me. I’d spend an entire day there, especially the wine area.
Loving this post!
By: Fidel Hart on January 4, 2011
at 9:24 am
It is hard to describe the taste of truffles. Often they are just sliced very thinly and eaten with pasta. You should try truffles.
By: bagnidilucca on January 4, 2011
at 1:02 pm
Oh Deb!! if only we had one of these in Oz!! Though the Prahran Markets is certainly close!! Sigh…..
By: Deb @ thirtyminutes on January 4, 2011
at 10:01 am
Well you have Nandos in Oz and I am highly jealous of that. I love Nandos!
By: Fidel Hart on January 4, 2011
at 10:09 am
We have Nandos 10 minutes walk from our house in Brisbane.
By: bagnidilucca on January 4, 2011
at 1:02 pm
I think the Prahran markets are excellent. I love to go there when I am in Melbourne.
By: bagnidilucca on January 4, 2011
at 12:59 pm
Thanks for the great post and pictures. The variety in of products is just stunning!
But if we had one here there’s be no reason left to go to Torino. Well, I’m sure there would be, but you know what I mean. We already live in a very homogenized world so we’ll surely get by with the many interesting local markets and providores in our own ‘hoods and have something to dream about.
I certainly can’t complain. I choose to live in Adelaide because of all the good local products and markets (Adelaide Central Market and Adelaide Showgrounds Farmer’s Market to name two, as well as all the regional markets). Think global and eat local!
By: mltucker on January 4, 2011
at 12:31 pm
I love the Adelaide Central Market!! I could move in. We have pretty good food markets here as well, but the produce in Italy is amazing. I agree, think global, eat local.
By: bagnidilucca on January 4, 2011
at 12:58 pm
Oh how I would love to go there! Truffles are on my list of things to try, and those ones look magnificent. Tartufo just sounds better in Italian 🙂
By: cityhippyfarmgirl on January 4, 2011
at 7:43 pm
Tartufo is a great word. Lots of things sound better in Italian. It is a very pretty language.
By: bagnidilucca on January 4, 2011
at 8:42 pm
Now wouldn’t that be something to have our own Eataly.
By: Anna Johnston on January 5, 2011
at 1:12 am
I love such food markets, it is so cultural. Like to be introduced to new food in such places. I would stay there all day long.
By: Fragolina on January 8, 2011
at 12:52 pm
[…] is on tap and one simply fills a bottle at the conveniently placed drum. I have only seen this at Eataly in Turin. olive oil on […]
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at 12:28 pm
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at 10:00 am