Mario Batali Confirms Eataly Will Open in LA in 2017

Despite an internal confirmation that Eataly would be opening inside Westfield Century City, today Mario Batali affirmed to the LA Times that his massive Italian food emporium would indeed be landing at the outdoor mall in 2017. Coinciding with the Westfield's complete remodel, Batali says that this location will have approximately the same 50,000 square feet as the New York and Chicago outlets, though with rooftop and outdoor seating here in LA that wouldn't be possible in colder cities.

Eataly is known for its numerous food court-style restaurants that feature the best from Italy's food canon from seafood and cheese to meats and pasta. In addition, the emporium serves gelato, rotisseries, paninis, baked goods, salumi, and even produce. Insisting that the concept isn't a "chain," Batali tells the Times that LA's Eataly will draw from nearby purveyors and sources to reflect a local flavor.

This marks the third Eataly location in the U.S., though the Oscar Farinetti-founded concept has plans to open everywhere from Moscow, Japan, and Istanbul in the next few years.
· All Eataly Coverage [~ELA~]