Ciao, Eataly!
Mario Batali's renowned Italian superstore opened its second U.S. location on Monday: a sprawling, 62,000-square-foot multi-restaurant complex in Chicago -- the largest location the company has opened yet.
Joining Eataly founder Oscar Farinetti, Joe and Lidia Bastianich, Adam and Alex Saper and the ever Crocs-clad Batali himself at the ribbon-cutting event at 43 E. Ohio St. was Mayor Rahm Emanuel, who noted the carb-lovers' paradise's opening wasn't the best timing for anyone going on a post-Thanksgiving diet.
The food emporium, formerly the site of an ESPN Zone, comes complete with a Nutella bar (we repeat: a Nutella bar), a pizzeria, a mozzarella "lab," a brewpub, a gelateria, two cafes (from Lavazza and Caffe Vergnano), plus all the meat, cheese, bread, olive oil and wine one's heart could possibly desire.
Before the ribbon (made of pasta, of course) was cut, Emanuel was presented with a poster reading "Grazie" that sported an image of the Willis Tower (also made of pasta, of course).
Take a peek inside the brand new store below -- Eataly Chicago opened to the public at 4 p.m. Monday and will be open from 10 a.m.-11 p.m. daily.
