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Eataly Japan
>>MAP

20-23 Daikanyama-cho, Shibuya-ku
TEL: 03-5784-2736
東京都渋谷区代官山町20-23

I must confess to serious mixed feelings about this place. (Thank you to Daniel N. for his tip.) It's one part Disney, two parts mall food court plopped down ungraciously in Daikanyama, one of Tokyo's trendiest shopping districts. Its lofty mission is to provide Tokyo with an Italian wine and food center. The result? Gobs of people wandering confusedly from market to cafe to wine bar to deli counter and tons of staff members (all of whom seem to be going on break or just coming off break). Not a relaxing experience in the least. That being said, the deli products on offer (San Marzano tomatoes, great selection of salami, prosciutto, pancetta, fresh pasta and mozzarella, etc.), bakery, and pizzeria are a welcome addition here. The espresso? Um . . . no. The barista, an Italian fellow (but that's irrelevant), didn't grind fresh the entire 60 minutes I sat in front of him. Only when I stood up to leave, did he grind (and only to fill the doser again). (This felt like a giant f*** you.) Eataly, shame on it, is also using imported, roasted-abroad beans. See my rant here re this act of insanity.

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Anonymous said…
I live in Daikanyama. I went to that store once (3 minutes to my place). I found it, expensive, pretentious, and one of the worst service experiences I went through in Tokyo. Since then I call them "Shit-aly".
January 18, 2011
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