So this is primarily a post about Eataly, Chicago, but I have to mention from the get-go that I have also been to Eataly, Las Vegas many times, and it is just as amazing, though with a much smaller dry goods grocery section and no produce.  The Las Vegas outpost is more of a grab and go food place, or stay and drink a glass of wine under a beautiful glass-ceilinged canopy, than a place you would go and get your groceries.  That said, they have a big cheese and cured meat section, and plenty of wine bottles to purchase as well.  

Eataly Chicago has kind of changed the way I cook everyday and prepare for parties.  It is a ridiculously massive space (63,000 square feet!) over two floors and has many restaurants, but also has a huge dry goods section as well as lots of Italian wines, and a large cheese/cured meat section.  They also have a butcher, a fishmonger, fresh produce section, as well as a fresh pasta area.  You can even get Venchi gelato or desserts to go!  This is the place you go if you want to drink a glass of wine while you shop, or grab a delicious cup of Lavazza coffee on the ground floor before you head upstairs to browse everything Eataly has to offer.  Eataly also gives tours, which I have never done, but could be a fun way to spend a morning or afternoon. Give yourself at least an hour at this store!  

Eataly has changed everything because they have everything; extremely high quality goods, both fresh and packaged.  This is one of the only things that downtown Chicago has that comes close to European markets or even Cleveland’s West Side Market.  Yes, Chicago has farmers’ markets in the summer dotted around the Loop and other areas of the City, but when it comes to a year-round place where you can get fresh everything at a very high quality level, Eataly is it.  

Eataly also has multiple sales throughout the year.  There are definitely butcher sales often.  This weekend, I went to get some 50% off American Wagyu beef.  There are also a ton of sales on other dry goods, certain wines, etc. The meat is pretty expensive at the butcher in general, but this is because they get their meat from responsible farms.  You can really taste the difference, and to me, it’s worth every extra penny.  There is a dizzying array of olive oils and vinegars.  There are usually some super helpful people around and they will give you free samples.  Don’t worry if you are not sure what kind of olive oil you like, they will definitely help you! I personally like tasting different balsamic vinegars . . . you never think that they can be so different but once you start tasting them next to one another you can really learn a lot. 

Speaking of tasting the difference, when you buy high quality pasta, your taste buds will thank you for it.  My favorite brand is Afeltra which comes in a whole bunch of different shapes.  It holds a solid bolognese sauce well, and is also good for things like mac and cheese.  You can taste some of these pastas in Eataly’s La Pizza & La Pasta restaurant.  It is definitely overpriced, but you will always get a great meal here.  I highly recommend whatever seasonal agnolotti or ravioli they are serving.  If they have wild boar ragout or cacio e pepe those are solid options as well.  Don’t forget to pair your pasta with a delicious glass of wine!

If you live in Chicago, and even if you are visiting, you absolutely must go to Eataly.  It is located in River North, kind of a big hub of tourism in this city, and even if you just go there to get an Aperol Spritz and to walk around, you won’t regret it.  I live on the South Side, and while it is generally a pain to get to anywhere on the north side from here, I go to Eataly to stock up many times throughout the year.  Maybe you’ll see me there hoarding Afeltra Pasta and cheese the next time you go!