So sorry for the delayed post… my internet has been out all weekend! I’m currently on a break from work scouring the neighborhood for a WiFi hotspot…
Weekends are for experimenting. Trying new things. Pursuing the fantasies you dream up during the work week. I’ve touched on this before, but even though I usually work at least 20 hours from Friday-Sunday, those days still feel special to me. Kind of magical, and full of hope/ You know what I mean?
Anyway. I’ve recently become obsessed with Gina’s Breakfast Cookie Cereal. Seriously, it’s so good, and doesn’t require the commitment of deciding the night before what you’ll be craving in the morning. I’ve had it almost every day this week!
I also made the most kick-butt oatmeal parfait yesterday.
Layers of fresh peaches…
Nuttzo-blended banana soft serve (1 frozen banana + 1 T Nuttzo)
Steel-cut oats made with almond milk, vanilla, flax & chia seeds…
Whipped cottage cheese…
Bizaam. Now that’s what I call breakfast.
Another fun discovery? Protein Cake! I know, I know… this is old news for the rest of the blogosphere, but I finally tried it out. This guy was based on Mama Pea’s Reese’s Protein Cake. It’s a little dry, but still tastes like cake!
I had the morning off yesterday, so my friend Hannah and I ventured to Eataly, Mario Batali, Oscar Farinetti and Joe and Lydia Bastianich’s new market, gourmet shop and eatery.
Located right across the street from Madison Square Park, Eataly is destined for success. Yesterday the line just to get in went all the way around the block! Luckily, Hannah and I found a side entrance and made it in without waiting on line at all.
The market was incredible. So many pretty vegetables!
They also serve and sell handmade pasta, cured meats, cheeses, pastries, wines, pizzas, pastas, coffees, chocolates, gelatis… if it’s Italian, they have it!
The place was a zoo.
Do not go here if you are hungry and looking for a quick bite. Don’t do it. I was starving, and got in the shortest line: Salumeria Rossi‘s panini stand.
There was only one vegetarian option: the funghi, with mushrooms and cheese.
It took more than 20 minutes to get my sandwich, and I finished it in less than 3. I was starving! It was pretty good, though.
Hannah and I really wanted gelato, but didn’t want to brave the line again. Luckily, there was a Mister Softee truck parked a few blocks away 
Eataly is so awesome. I really want to go back! But maybe not on a Sunday, and not on a holiday weekend. But seriously, it’s one of the coolest foodie destinations I’ve been to in a while. I want to go back for the pasta! And the pizza! And the gelato!
Something that was not new or creative were these sugar packets we found at the restaurant. None of us found the “author’s” humor amusing. Kind of the anti-Operation Beautiful note, eh?
And you know what I say to that?
Do you like Italian food? What is your favorite thing to order at an Italian restaurant?
That parfait looks PRO – I need to make one sometime! And I should seriously try banana soft serve with nut buttah
Nut buttah makes everything bettah!
I love your response to the sugar packets – Moo all the way, girl! I am so with you.
You give me breakfast inspiration! I’m so predictable when it comes to breakfast–I eat the same thing every day
I do love Italian food! Favorite thing to order? Probably meat-less lasagna with a tasty hunk of garlic bread.
Your oatmeal parfait looks amazing! You are so creative with your breakfasts!
Love the Breakfast Cookie Dough cereal as well.
That Eataly sounds great – what choices. It’d be fun to explore on a weekday, outside of meal hours, to order a delicious gelato. I love Sicilian style pizza – especially with mushrooms.
I wanted to go this past week, but didn’t quite get there yet. I love anything and everything Italian! Cheese, pasta and marinara sauce are in my veins!
That parfait looks amazing!
Hope your internet returns soon.
I ate tons of cheese + melon plates when I was in Italy…oh, and gelato!
ahhhhh you went to eataly!!! i’ve been dieing to get there! i read an article there the other day about the vegetable butcher woman and how the tomatoes are shipped from latham farms out east which is right near my cottage
SO much fun!!
that parfait looks awwwf the wallll good!
I love the idea of Eataly!!! How fun! Shame that you didn’t get a chance to sample some gelatto but Mr. Softy is definitely a close second.
WTH?!?! What is wrong with people? Seriously? I bet the person that wrote those cruel things is a miserable, insecure and bitter person who just wanted some attention. I hope he/she is happy now and they made their point. Get a life!
Well, aside from that, I’m so happy you enjoyed your weekend.
PS- Those oats look fantastic!
I love Eataly! I’ve already been a few times and am so obsessed. I love Italian food – pasta/lasagna and pizza are probably my favs, along with simple mozzarella and tomato. Yum!
i need to check out eataly! never even heard of it before this post. i love how you can live in the city for so long and discover new places all the time (maybe it’s just me, hehe)
btw cute outfit! you should totally do more fashion posts or throw in a ‘fit pic here and there
imho
Eataly sounds fun! I love the name. No bueno on the sugar packets. Very rude. And VERY anti operation beautiful which is not nice. Hope you have a lovely week!
I adore italian food, I got married in italy and the food was amazing. Obviously pizza and pasta are great, when I was in italy I had the most amazing and simple garlic and chilli pasta that was to die for. The gelato is pretty good too!
so glad you’re loving the bfast cookie cereal! i’m equally obsessed… every morning, that’s what i want
i am DYING to go to eataly! so glad you’re living it up for me
can we just take a second and talk about how stylish you are? you always look so gorg and i love your outfit choices
hope you have a great week <3
xoxo
Eataly, <3 that!
Nice tat, ow ow. I do love the wine from that region, and of course bread, haa:)
Eataly looks like a complete zoo! I’d like to go…maybe when it’s calmed down. As if people were queuing round the block! Crazy.
Also, this chimed with me amazingly – “Pursuing the fantasies you dream up during the work week”. Truth!
Gosh what obnoxious sugar packets! But that would be a great place to write an operation beautiful note now that I think about it!
Italian food is okay. I like marinara sauce!
I can’t wait to try out Eataly, our old roommate is from Italy and one of his friends was involved in the project. I’ve heard great things. Couldn’t agree more with your reaction to those stupid sugar packets. Some people don’t think about the things they do and say, it can be really infuriating.
Your eats look SO yummy…as usual! I had never even heard of protein cake, so you’re ahead of me there. And I love Italian food, but I’m pretty boring…pizz is my fave
open me up and on my heart you find written there Italia (or something like that) I love ITALY! MMMM that sammy looks delish! I think you gave me a lunch Idea for tomorrow:)
holy crap! are those comments on the sugar in the raw for real? people are so friggin weird. i have never even heard of eataly btw. but seems like the vegan options would be slim pickins…as in funghi sans cheese. hmmm…