Ever since Eataly opened at the end of 2013, there has been all kinds of local press – both positive and negative. Now that the hype, and the crowds, have died down a bit, it is a great place for food and wine lovers to spend the afternoon or evening. A few weeks ago I was invited to attend the Winter Wine & Cheese Fest, an evening filled with wine and cheese pairings. Needless to say, I accepted the invitation immediately.
The event was on a Friday night, so it was quite crowded with a mix of regular visitors, Chicago tourists, and wine and cheese enthusiasts looking to try a few new things. As you long as you were patient it was easy to get to most of the tasting stations. Each station included two different wines – and a cheese pairing. As you would expect, the wines were all Italian, ranging from Pinot Nero to Vermentino to Gavi. The cheese selection was excellent featuring cheeses from Tulip Tree Creamery, Milton Creamery and Widmer’s Cheese Cellars to name a few. It was a well put together event.
Eataly has a great selection of Italian wines, craft beers, meats and cheeses. They also carry unique food items, including fresh meats and fish, pasta imported from Italy, olive oils and aged balsamic vinegars. There are multiple restaurants serving everything from appetizers to pizza, pasta and coffee…there is even a Nutella bar!
They also carry a selection of beautiful dinnerware and a good selection of both basic and unique kitchen tools. You can find everything you need for an authentic Italian meal. Many of my friends make an outing of it, and go shopping for their dinner ingredients, while they enjoy a glass of wine.
Eataly Chicago is located at 43 East Ohio Street.
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