New York and Mario Fatali...Always a Fine Pairing in the Big Apple

Mario Fatali has just made experiencing New York just a little sweeter with his Italian food court in the Flat Iron District called Eataly.  It is located at 200 Fifth Avenue at 23rd just a stone's fly away from Madison Square Park.  This is one of the few chains I will recommend because it is the only store in the USA.  You will need to travel to Italy or Japan to experience this place anywhere else.  I was walking by Eataly and stopped dead in my tracks over the window displays of Italian oils, pastas, sauces and the like.  I pressed my nose up to the glass and discovered not only a world of Italian shopping delights, but 12 fabulous restaurants tucked inside from to go counters, stand up bars and formal dining.  Mario has made this place a one-stop extravaganza of fresh seafood, wine, condiments, books, housewares, chocolates, cheese, pasta, oils, preserves, dairy and produce. On a beautiful day, stop in and pick up breakfast, lunch, dinner or just some olives, cheeses and prosciutto to go and wander over to Madison Square Park.  And, now that New York has blocked off a portion of Broadway that runs along Madison Square Park and provided tables and chairs for pedestrians, it makes a perfect place to people watch.  And, maybe afterwards, head over to the original Shake Shack located in the Park for a velvety smooth milk shake!  (and, make note to go back to Shake Shack for one of their incredible burgers, fries and the like!)

www.eatalyny.com

www.shakeshack.com