My Buying Trip to New York made extra special by Mario Batali

by Joan on Aug 25, 2010

I went to New York for a week of business. Looking to buy lots of new things for the upcoming months at Hammertown. While in New York, I was lucky enough to use my “Mario” friendship connection to get a reservation at Mario’s wonderful restaurant, Babbo (“anyway you can fit me in for dinner….please, please, pretty please?”)

Luck prevailed, and my friends and I had an early dinner at Babbo in the West Village. Wanting to know the exact address, I went to their website. What a treat! I found a great recipe and a great travel trip for my “someday” trip to Italy. Wanted to share them with you…check out the links below.

http://www.babbonyc.com/travel.html

http://www.babbonyc.com/recipe.html

BABBO:

From the minute we walked inside, it was absolute perfection. The staff, the decor, the service and, of course, the food. Simple elegance…and a meal to perfection.

Baby Wild Arugula with Parmigiano and Aceto Manodori
Maccheroni alla Chitarra with Oven Dried Tomatoes, Red Chiles and Bottarga di Muggine
Fennel Dusted Sweetbreads with Sweet and Sour Onions, Duck Bacon and Membrillo Vinaigrette
Warm Rhubarb Crostata with Spiced Ricotta Gelato and Pine Nut “Crocante”

And, we will keep you posted with the opening of Mario’s new venture in NYC – “EATALY”

While Mario was visiting Hammertown last week (he loved the new kitchen being revealed at our 25th celebration), he told me that he and his partner, Joe Bastianich, are opening an Italian marketplace in the Flatiron District of Manhattan (W 23rd, near 5th Avenue). It’s called “Eataly”… a giant Italian food hall patterned after the original in Turin, Italy. “…a 50,000-square-foot, Slow Food–inspired Italian-food temple” according to New York magazine. It is three levels (in the old Toy Building) with more than 20 retail departments, most with their own dining areas. There will be fish mongers, butchers and even a vegetable “butcher” who preps your artichoke so they’re ready to take home and cook. Like everything Mario touches, I’m sure it is going to be a huge success. It’s set to open the end of August. Keep it on the radar…this will definitely be THE new destination for foodies! READ MORE in this Q & A article from New York Magazine.

In the meantime, stop by and get a copy of Mario’s new book, Molto Gusto. It is FANTASTIC.

Mario told me it has already sold 250,000 copies, and has only been out 6 months. It is a collection of recipes for everyone’s favorites: pizza, pasta, antipasti, gelati and sorbetti. According to Mario, this book is so easy…anyone will be able to cook his favorite recipes. (Available at all 3 Hammertown stores)

Just one more reason to love Mario!