BUZZ: Mario Batali's Eataly Opens in NYC on August 31

As a devoted Mario-lover, I'm pretty jazzed about the grand opening of Batali's newest venture, Eataly. The Italian import grocery store and restaurant opens its doors next Tuesday in New York City, and you may see me be the first in line to get dibs on all the imported Italian food and ingredients offerings, while stuffing my face with copious amounts of pasta and wine!

The brainchild of Batali, Oscar Farinett, and Joe & Lidia Bastianich is surely set to be high-end but a perfect locale for those, like myself, who don't feel like trekking all the way down to Italy (or even Brooklyn!)

At its core, most of the dry goods at Eataly will be straight-off-the-boat Italian, while produce is locally sourced. Departments will include pastries, bread, a butcher, a fishmonger, pasta (duh!), cured meats, cheeses, and so much more.

But perhaps the most enticing part of this new opening is its corresponding sit-down restaurant! We're talking coffee bar, paninis, pizza, a wine store (SOLD!), books, housewares, a cooking school by Bastianch, a forthcoming rooftop beer garden, and my personal favorite... gelato!!

Eataly's offerings are sure to be more than a market... it'll be an experience. Who's coming with me!?

Located at: 200 Fifth Avenue (at 23rd Street)