Dubai, March 21, 2016: Eataly, one of Italy’s most-loved restaurant brands, opens today in the new extension of Dubai Festival City. The opening, one of several planned for the brand in the region this year, marks the incredibly successful first two years for Eataly’s first site in Dubai Mall.

Dedicated to bringing foodies of the UAE, Italian simplicity and tasty authenticity, Eataly’s winning formula is committed to buying, tasting and educating in line with their motto: “Eat better, live better”. Boasting eight dedicated culinary stations including, Meat, Seafood, Pasta, Pizza and a Gastronomia counter with salumi,cheese, antipasti, bread and salads, Eataly Dubai Festival City guarantees some of the best quality Italian produce and dishes in the region.

Luca Baffigo Filangieri, Eataly CEO comments: “We are more than happy with the success of Eataly in the Middle East which continues to appeal to those looking for a true taste of Italy and authentic products. The opening of Eataly in Dubai Festival City, our second store in Dubai, is an exciting step for us and marks the beginning of a larger expansion plan in the region. We are excited to welcome the new Dubai Festival City store to the global Eataly family”

THE RESTAURANT

Just like the other Eataly stores across Europe and the US, the new Dubai Festival City location is designed to encourage customers to explore and discover new dishes and tastes. Eight stand-alone food stations are manned by expert chefs in their fields, each of whom are well versed in the traditional methods of creating tasty Italian fare. The pasta, bread and mozzarella, which are made fresh in store, are perfect examples of this.

In line with Eataly’s commitment to showcasing the very best of Italian cuisine and educating customers, a region of Italy is highlighted each month, in both the restaurant and the market, to allow everyone the chance to appreciate the culinary diversity of Italy.

THE MARKET

Setting it apart from competitors is Eataly’s unique in-restaurant market, where customers can purchase signature products from across every region of Italy such as Il Pastaio di Gragnano pasta, Antonella tomato sauce, pesto from Niasca Portofino, gluten-free pasta and an exceptional assortment of sweets, biscuits, torrone and chocolate. In line with their philosophy of ‘Eat. Shop. Learn.’ the Eataly market allows customers to make the dishes they have tried at the restaurant, in the comfort of their own homes.

Eataly’s dedicated Italian-speaking buyers source from thousands of small farmers and producers across Italy to deliver a shopping and eating experience that is truly Italian. In order to ensure consistency and authenticity, Eataly regularly hosts these Italian producers to train staff and hold special tastings for customers.

VENCHI GELATO

Eataly Dubai Festival City is particularly proud to be the only restaurant in the region exclusively offering Venchi Gelato. Venchi is one of the finest and oldest chocolates in the world, originally from Turin, the birthplace of Gianduja and home to innumerable fine chocolatiers. The Middle East’s first Venchi gelataria will have 10 different flavours including Cremino, Giandujotto and Azteco.

Peiyi Lei, Senior Brand Manager of Eataly said: “We are delighted to open our second UAE store in Dubai Festival City. The public response to Eataly has been phenomenal and we look forward to our future in the region, continuing to educate and delight our guests with wholesome quality food and fundamentally honest and genuine Italian ingredients”

Eataly is located on the first floor at the new Waterfront Promenade extension at the Dubai Festival City Mall.