Turino was a 5.5 hour train ride from Rome and when I arrived at the Le Meridien, I had a good mind to jump aboard the next available train to Milan. The Le Meridien was nothing like what I would have imagined it to be - the beds were hard, the shower old, the tv faulty. I needed to find a reason to stay in Turino and I found that reason the very next day.
Stepping into Eataly is like stepping into your favorite Whole Foods except better. It is a gastronomical experience where you simply buy the products you need for the day/week or seat yourself down at the 5 different mini restaurants or do both. From the seafood stand, to the pasta stand, to the salami stand, to the meat stand to the salad stand, you will not be disappointed. In fact, surprise and gratification was the two constant emotion I felt when I was in Eataly.
Each restaurant has about 5-6 different dishes that they do extremely well. There is no 15 variety of pizzas or 12 types of shrimp. Just 6 dishes that are simple and cooked to perfection. Which at the end of the day, is really all you need and want. By focusing on dishes that they do best, the only thing you get is sumptuous, second-serving-worthy food.
Second servings is what I did get. For the 2 days I spent in Turino, I had 3 meals there with 6 servings. And everyday was a joy. The steaks were perfectly marinated and cooked, the seafood fresh and succulent, the cheese fragrant and strong. It was a burst of flavor bite after bite. Service is prompt and quick once you make your order. The staff mostly speak Italian and at every station, there is 1 individual (usually the cook) who speaks English well enough to explain the menu to you. They can also recommend the right bottle of wine to have with your particular dish.
After your meal, head down to the gelato stand where fresh, creamy, intense gelato awaits. This will be one gelato place you will be telling your family and friends about. Rich, creamy and just how gelato is supposed to taste; you won't even think twice about the calories.
Eataly is hands down one of my favorite places in the world and it was completely worth the bad hotel and the long train ride. This is a culinary gem and a must visit place if you are ever in Turino or Italy. It will be worth your while.
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