Eataly’s first foray into the Dallas culinary scene is already proving to be a scrumptious affair. If you haven't yet been to the famed Italian marketplace, we highly recommend a trip. We caught up with Chief Operating Officer Alex Saper a few weeks back, while he was gearing up for the Dec. 9 grand opening. Here, a few sound bites...
Eataly Dallas made its highly anticipated debut on Dec. 9 at NorthPark Center.
Can you tell us a bit more about the brand’s concept?
The original idea behind Eataly is very simple: to gather all the high-quality Italian foods under one roof, where you can eat, shop and learn.
How did you go about choosing Dallas?
Dallas residents have great culinary taste—it was named the Restaurant City of the Year for 2019 by Bon Appétit and has a diverse dining scene. Each time we visited, we felt authentic, Italian products and experiences would bring something new and fresh to the Dallas culinary scene.
What inspires you and your team?
The relationships and the sense of family and community are the fundamentals of our brand philosophy. We say all the time that Eataly is not a chain, Eataly is a family, because all the stores are different. They’re tailored to the country and, of course, to the city.
Do you plan to incorporate a philanthropic component within the city?
Every Eataly store has a specific theme as it relates to the location and community’s DNA. Since we decided to open Eataly Dallas in NorthPark, which is known for its alignment with the arts, Eataly Dallas is dedicating this store to the patronage of the arts. We want to be a stage to arts-related conversations, we want to encourage discussions on artistic topics, we want to be inspired by various artistic creations, and we want Dallasites to tell us what art is. All of this, while we are doing what we do best: hospitality, sitting around a table, sharing a meal and contemplating art over a glass of wine.
Photography by: photo courtesy of Eataly