Eataly Don Mills
Eataly Don Mills is the newest addition to Cadillac Fairview's Shops at Don Mills.
The store, which sits at the intersection of Lawrence Avenue and Karl Fraser Road, is the franchise's third Canadian location, as well as the third to be situated in the GTA.
Its grand opening on May 30 was heralded by huge, snaking lines that began well before the store officially opened its doors.
North American CEO Tommaso Brusò describes the Don Mills location as more compact than the stores at Yorkville and Sherway Gardens.
Nevertheless, he is confident that visitors will be able to enjoy the smaller space just as much as its sister locations.
The store is divided into two sections: a bustling Italian marketplace to the right of the entrance and an elegant restaurant to the left.
Both sides are decorated with shades of cream, beige and olive green, creating a sense of aesthetic unity.
The marketplace is a mix of shelves and service counters, each focused on a different facet of Italian cuisine. Take some time to peruse the aisles and you'll find enormous bags of conchiglie, packages of fresh prosciutto and colourful jars of olive oil.La Pasticceria crafts high quality Italian pastries for sharing at dinner parties or snacking on after a long day at work.
Baba al Limoncello ($7.90) is one such pastry, made with sweet lemon liqueur and topped with cream and candied lemon peel. If alcohol-infused desserts aren't your style, La Pasticceria also serves Chantillies ($8.90/pack), large, sugar-crusted puff pastries filled with pastry cream.La Pizza alla Pala serves Roman-style, thin-crust pizzas with a variety of authentic toppings. My favourite was the funghi slice ($12), a white pizza topped with roasted cremini and button mushrooms, Ghidetti provolone and fresh mozzarella cheese.If you have to eat and run, stop by La Salumeria, where delicious sandwiches and panini are prepared daily.
Tommaso tells blogTO that this was one of the features he was most excited to unveil, as neither of the other locations in Toronto have dedicated sandwich counters.
If you have time to sit down for a meal, Eataly's Ristorante serves multi-course meals from noon until close. Burrata ($23) is a decadent Italian cheese, encased in a soft shell of mozzarella. Slice it open and spread it over a layer of Sicilian caponata, basil and extra virgin oil for a creamy, tangy treat.Caprese ($24) is a must-have at any Italian restaurant and Eataly's take on the dish doesn't disappoint.
Large pieces of mozzarella are served with sliced heirloom tomatoes and fresh basil. Together, these ingredients create a salad with the same colour scheme as the Italian flag.
Tagliatelle alla bolognese ($29) consists of long, flat noodles, topped with pork and beef ragu and sprinkled with 18-month Parmigiano Reggiano.
If I had to be picky, I'd say that the ragu could stand to be a little spicier, but otherwise, the pasta was a standout dish.
Cotoletta alla milanese ($36) is a massive Milanese-style pork chop, breaded and fried to a golden brown.
Local greens are served alongside it, as well a ramekin of creamy Mediterranean sauce and a lemon wedge. Though the Halibut ($45) sounds more straightforward than many of the other menu items, its ingredients and presentation are no less impressive.
This pan-seared fish filet comes garnished with strands of fennel and mint. Grilled zucchini and heirloom tomatoes are served on the side.
Nero d'Avola ($15/glass, $60/bottle) is just one of the flavourful wines on offer. Chianti, Barbera d’Alba and Barolo are also available. The Aperol Spritz ($17) is a punched up version of a classic cocktail, made with Aperol aperitivo, Prosecco, and a splash of soda.For those seeking a lighter option, the Anni Settanta ($10) is a mocktail that blends Seedlip Spice, cherry syrup, lemon and soda into a satisfying, summery sip.
Whether you're looking to indulge in a fine meal or craft one of your own from scratch, odds are good that Eataly will have what you're looking for.
Eataly Don Mills is located at 49 Karl Fraser Road.
Fareen Karim