(map) 
Bologna’s medieval city center bursts at the seams with the bounty of the surrounding countryside. Its street side market stalls, butcher shops, bakeries and cafes have been temples to the gods of Italian cuisine (think prosciutto from Parma and Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese) for over 600 years.
Recently, a newer kind of temple has moved into the scene. Eataly, an enormous complex dedicated to all things gastronomic, now occupies a five-story palazzo right in the heart of the market district and offers both traditional and innovative ways to experience food. Founded in Turin, and boasting locations all over the world, Eataly’s philosophy is to provide interactive culinary experiences with the best artisan products Italy has to offer.
Whether it be picking up a round of Robiola cheese imported from the Langhe district, enjoying a glass of Brunello in the wine bar or attending a cake-decorating lesson, a visit to Eataly will transport those who worship at the altar of cucina italiana to a new level of piousness.
– Contributed by the docents at Context Travel (see bio), The Experience of Place www.contexttravel.com.
Now that sounds like my kind of place! Bologna is on my must-do list for the very near future, and this has pushed it into the top 3.
I also noticed they are coming to Rome in March 2011
http://www.dissapore.com/primo-piano/eataly-finalmente-a-roma-da-marzo-2011-allair-terminal/
Great article. I loved my time in Bologna a few years ago and it should be on every traveler’s list of places to visit. The markets were wonderful and my meals were heavenly.
Eataly – what great word-play and what a great idea!
“Italy” is synonymous with good food, beauty, joy in living.
Long live Italy–and Eataly!
It was in Bologna during my first stay in Italy in 1970 that I realized that Italian food in Italy and in the United States are two different cuisines. I had ordered lasagna alla Bolognese and it was a religious experience, I was in heaven!!! From several cookbooks I’ve tried recipes for the lasagna and found the best one to be from Ada Boni’s stellar cookbook Italian Regional Cooking… In Bologna the food is excellent EVERYWHERE, it’s seemingly impossible to find a bad meal in “La Grassa”!!! Love the word Eataly. How about Eatalians? Ha! Thank you for the article.
I am so glad I found this article! I will be in Bologna in November 2010 and had no idea there was an Eataly there…I will definitely have to make it a priority to stop there!