Rome, Italy - Eataly

John and Francesca took us to Eataly... the same one as in NYC, but on steroids... four stories with a VIP restaurant on the top floor.  Opened about a year ago, it was built in an old train station that had been abandoned for two decades, only used by squatters.  I could easily spend a day here sorting through the endless selections of pasta, cheeses and chocolates.  The olive oil tasting area is serious business with olive oils from all over Italy.  All we managed to buy was a package of the best risotto... 19 Euro ($26)... the pressure is on!

As the elevator arrived to take us downstairs after dinner for gelato, John's son, Leo, was so excited he yelled out 'arriba'!!  with a perfectly rolled 'r'... making the girls giggled hysterically. 

Illy espresso cup chandelier... very fun!

The variety of fresh pastas is amazing!

White truffles, 440 Euro ($606)/100 gram

Calamari shaped pasta - cacio con pepe

pasta with truffles

The most expensive risotto in the world!

Gelato #4