In the midst of Flatiron’s crazed corporate lunch rush hour, it’s hard to find a place to make a pregnant pause amid the oversaturation of ‘fast salad’ chains such as Chop’t and Sweetgreen at every turn. Cue Italian-food emporium Eataly, the one-stop destination for all your drinking and dining needs. You’ll still face the crowds, but in a much more cultured fashion. A cross between the elaborate labyrinth of nooks and crannies forming the piazza in downtown Florence and a foodie version of the 1964 World’s Fair, Eataly’s staff have “How to Eat at Eataly” brochures to educate first-time goers, which is handy if you’re not familiar with the traffic flow. Among its spate of diverse restaurants are La Pizza & La Pasta, Le Verdure – a vegetable-centric hangout – Il Pesce, Manzo – the elegant fine-dining spot of the bunch – and La Piazza, a standing enoteca in the heart of the bustling machine. For those short on time, there’s also a selection of quick-and-easy counters to drop by, such as the focaccia bakery, rosticceria meat deli, gelato van and well-stocked panini selection. And no traditional Italian bonanza would be complete without a Nutella Bar, where guests can sample the hazelnut spread in more inventive ways than you’re able to track your rapidly accumulating Weight Watchers points. Ever the rampant capitalism machine, shoppers are free to take home their own slice of Eataly from its wide-ranging market, which features fresh produce – much of which is made on location – ranging from fresh mozzarella to olive sourdough to truffle olive oil. Think of it as Dean & DeLuca’s millennial younger sibling with their eyes set on rebranding Flatiron as the new Little Italy. In summer, avoid tourists clamoring for the perfect selfie in front of the Empire State Building at nearby 230 Fifth bar and grab a craft beer at La Birreria, a pop-up rooftop restaurant and microbrewery which spotlights a different cultural phenomenon each season. For the holidays, you’ll be transported to an Italian ski lodge, serving up mulled wine and festive cocktails amid decorated pine trees under the cozy warmth of heat lamps. Feliz Navidad!
