Italian Provisions: LA Style

Right now people are falling all over themselves to get to Eataly LA, that glamorous Italian gourmet marketplace with eateries, that recently opened in Century City. As foodies who have visited their NYC flagship store, we were looking forward to this opening. As a set decorator for television cooking shows, I am always looking for new places to shop and find inspiration. In truth, the Century City store made me crave another, more low key Italian market that I have been shopping at for decades... Monte Carlo/Pinocchio in Burbank.

EATALY

Eataly is owned by famed chefs Mario Batali, Lidia Bastianich and Joe Bastianich. The first Eataly to open in America was in NYC in 2010. Since then, they have gone on to open another NYC outpost, as well as stores in Boston, Chicago and multiple international locations. Each store resembles a high-end Whole Foods, but with ingredients intended to make a mind-blowing Italian feast. You can even pick up cookbooks from the previously mentioned celebrity chefs, if you have no idea what to do with the delicious looking pomodoro that you just threw into your shopping basket. If you don't feel like cooking, you can also grab a bite at one of the small restaurants and cafes, located within the store. There is also a bakery, two coffee shops, a gelateria and a counter for custom cannolis.

Loaves of pane rustico that will make you reconsider all of your New Year resolutions.

And why not also grab a wedge of cheese to go with that bread!

Don't forget the pasta!  There is pasta that you never knew you needed until you lay eyes on it, here. — Don't forget the pasta! There is pasta that you never knew you needed until you lay eyes on it, here.

This all looks pretty amazing doesn't it? Here's the deal... your happiness will depend entirely on how many people are sharing this experience with you. Because Eataly is CROWDED. The first time we went was on a weekend and I would strongly discourage you to go at that time if you can help it. There were lines everywhere. The restaurant ques were by far the worst. We ran into some friends who had waited for an hour to get a slice of pizza. (We opted to eat at the mall's food court, instead.) The long ques wound around the store, making it really difficult to navigate a shopping cart and actually access the marketplace shelves at times. It was very stressful. And I am a person who lived in NYC (land of insane grocery shopping conditions) and it is worth noting that I happen to shop for a living.

The olive bread that we purchased was exceptional. It truly was a revelation. But otherwise I feel like they had a lot of items that I can get elsewhere and for a lot less money. Overall, the space was nice but not as impressive as their Flatiron store. Downstairs, we visited their gelato and Lavazza counters. The gelato was ok. I was hoping for more of a magical experience like I have had eating gelato in Italy. Perhaps I was hoping for too much. I don't drink coffee often but I do love Lavazza. After standing in line for a while, I decided that I could pass on the coffee.

The second time I visited Eataly, it was mid-day, during the week. The experience was completely different. There were tables open at the restaurants and I had no problem winding my way around with a shopping cart. Naturally, I picked up more of the bread and shot downstairs to get some Lavazza. My friend had told me that they have a fabulous Italian Chocolate drink that I should try. And as promised, it was delicious.

That same friend also told me about their exceptional wine selection. Sadly, I am super allergic to wine (even though I love it) and decided to drown my sorrows in the hot chocolate. It was a cold day and my belly was happy. I would suggest you check out Eataly, but if you cannot go on a weekday, you may consider waiting until the buzz dies down a bit. Parking can also be horrific. If you go, don't say that I didn't warn you. In the meantime, might I suggest you visit...

MONTE CARLO DELI and PINOCCHIO'S RESTAURANT

A friend first introduced me to this neighborhood haunt back in the early 90's. He had lived in Italy for a long time and would be sure to collect his "provisions" whenever he visited his Mom in LA. I was impressed by how authentic this place was. The man behind the counter, happily spoke Italian to an older lady who was having him slice prosciutto. They had a huge selection of pastas, olive oils, Italian coffees and sauces or ingredients for making sauce. There was a deli counter, a bakery and a gelateria. After we finished shopping, we went next door to get lunch. It was nothing fancy, just Italian comfort food that you ordered at the counter. It was also surprisingly affordable, which I appreciated as a college student at the time.

When I moved to LA, I often did my grocery shopping here. There is something very charming about a true Mom and Pop business in the middle of a big, busy city. It gave me a lot of comfort. And it soon became a tradition to also grab a bite at Pinocchio's.

Everything you would want from a true Italian Deli

Ample pasta options.  As far as I am concerned, if you aren't making fresh pasta, dried pasta is dried pasta.  What matters is the shape and what sauce you are pairing it with. — Ample pasta options. As far as I am concerned, if you aren't making fresh pasta, dried pasta is dried pasta. What matters is the shape and what sauce you are pairing it with.

The best deal in town.  Bags of pasta from less that $2 each. — The best deal in town. Bags of pasta from less that $2 each.

You cannot go wrong with this selection of tomatoes. A client of mine who is a famous Italian-American once told me that the only thing that matters when making sauce, is using the right tomatoes.  He stocks his pantry with cases of the Cento S… — You cannot go wrong with this selection of tomatoes. A client of mine who is a famous Italian-American once told me that the only thing that matters when making sauce, is using the right tomatoes. He stocks his pantry with cases of the Cento San Marzano tomatoes (seen above).

Pro Tip: You need to take a number when paying for anything at Monte Carlo, even if you are not ordering something from the deli counter.

The kids are addicted to their gelato.  In fact, we like it better than Eataly's. — The kids are addicted to their gelato. In fact, we like it better than Eataly's.

Shopping at Monte Carlo may not be as chic as shopping at Eataly. But as far as I am concerned, you can get the same items for a lot less money at Monte Carlo and you won't have to fight an angry Westsider for a parking spot. If you happen to live in the Valley, it will also save you a windy trip over the hill. One other thing that is worth getting at Monte Carlo is some of their fresh pizza dough. Nothing is better than a fresh "pie".

As a side note, when decorating the pantry set at MasterChef and MasterChef Jr., I always go to Monte Carlo to get pasta for our shelf displays. I have been doing this since Season 1 first aired. Here are a couple of pics of our pantry. I am extremely proud of this room and refer to it as one of my favorite babies.

Our pasta display.  Contestants are asked to not grab items on the top two shelves. — Our pasta display. Contestants are asked to not grab items on the top two shelves.

So definitely visit Eataly, but give it a few months. In the meantime, show the folks at Monte Carlo some love. And a new season of MasterChef Jr. will begin airing again in February. Coincidentally, featuring Joe Bastianich as one of our judges.

Happy Eating!