Looking for a post-holiday outing where you can shop and eat and feel vaguely European doing it?  We visited the newly opened Eataly Boston earlier this month at Prudential Center Plaza. ...Think, if Disney took over the North End...it is quite an experience!

Everything imaginable of Italian foodstuff seems to be available.  There are several fine and casual dine-in restaurants; Il Pesce fine seafood restaurant and the wine bar at the Pasta and Pizzeria restaurant shown below.

There is also plenty of for grab-and-go dining and noshing, with a few table areas scattered around in case you want to sit and eat instead of stroll or take-out...

including this coffee bar featuring this impressive looking cappuccino/espresso machine,

a gelato bar, which beckons with flavors like sea salt caramel and almond tiramisu (yes, I HAD to try those),

and a 'filled to order' cannoli cart among the offerings.

And for grocery shopping like you are at an Italian marketplace, which of course, you are, there is a wine shop,

a cheese vendor with freshly made mozzarella on-site,

a butcher shop with a stunning array of offerings,

cured meats hanging from the ceiling,

and, of course, a fresh pasta shop!

There was also a produce market, walls of olive oils and balsamic vinegars, jams, spreads, breads, pastry cases, towers of different flavored panettone,

and assorted candy emporiums.

Eataly goes on and on with reportedly over 45000 square feet and 3 levels (although we were only able to locate 2 levels thus far, and one of them only contained a coffee shop).

We noshed on a pizza made with locally sourced sausage and fresh mozzarella at the wine bar while enjoying a glass of Prosecco. After strolling through the space, we worked up an appetite for dessert. With so many choices it was a tough call, but we finally settled on gelato…and the aforementioned salted caramel and almond tiramisu were flavors too tempting to pass by. While the atmosphere doesn’t feel as authentic as it might at, say, an outdoor market in Italy, you can’t beat the convenience of parking below the mall, leaving your coat in the car, and strolling through the space leisurely perusing the top notch offerings.  Don't forget to get your parking validated at the Eataly customer service center to get a break on the parking garage price.

We'll definitely be back to check out more options!  It is a fun, festive, and delicious atmosphere in which to spend a bit of time when you are downtown.

Buon Appetito!