Located in the newly renovated Century City Mall, Eataly occupies multi-levels at one end. It was a Sunday and crowds were everywhere. Eataly L.A. is a duplicate of the one in New York City. It seemed to me that it was a contemporary version of Mercado Centrale in Florence, Italy. The one in Italy though is an incrdible feast for the eyes down every aisle and on every corner. The only area here with any semblance of color is the vegetable and fruit market. This is a place where you need time to stroll and savor what is going on. It would need to be on a week day – less hustle and bustle and more interaction with the vendors.

We ate at Terra, a wood burning Italian Grill.  It is on  the roof (which I think is actually a 5th level) and has a great view of Century City and beyond.

Melanzana for Jennifer. It was a whole roasted eggplant with raisins, capers, pomegranate, agrodolce. Mickey ordered the Verdure Alla Griglia – wood fired organic seasonal vegetables. It did look spectacular. Jeff had the Big Eye Tonno – seared wild tuna, extra virgin olive oil, sea salt and fines herbes. For me it was pasta. Ravioli Primavera was house-made spring pea ravioli with mint and lemon.

We never pass up dessert no matter how stuffed. Mickey shared a very mocha infused tiramisu served in a canning jar. Quite tasty with an unusual presentation. Jeff had mixed berries, and Jennifer chose a chocolate chocolate something.

This is an intriguing shopping and dining experience if you give it some time. We might have had more traditional Italian food if we had eaten on the 2nd level at La Pizza e La Pasta. They were making the pasta fresh as we walked by.

Level 2 has La Scuola di Eataly, Italian Sweets, Il Gelato, Lavazza Coffee, and The White Moustache where you make your own yogurt with local fruit, granola and White Moustache yogurt.

Besides La Pizza e La Pasta, Level 3 has “prosciutto and cheese heaven”, the local food market,  a bakery, fresh produce, La Piazza wine bar, Il Pesce Cucina fresh fish market, and a wine store.

The Other Thing – I need to give this place a second look. I know I have missed a lot.