Can someone explain the appeal though? It's just expensive Italian takeout and grocery?Like a Pusateri's on steroids?
Sure, first though, see my comment about ownership above. Access to key real estate and marketing and logistics resources matters.
I thought the cost of living was supposed to be bad already...
It is; but remember, Toronto has a very large number o HNW (High Net Worth Individuals/families).
We're talking about 4 stores here, and remember Pusateri's collapsed, so you have that entire market of customers to start.
We're also a big tourism City, including for shopping. Our draw reaches quite wide.
Keep in mind there are not only no Eataly locations in Hamilton or Ottawa, there are none in Buffalo, Cleveland or Detroit.
The GTA has hundreds of grocers, so the market for 4 high-end Italian groceraunts is fair sized.
Are there any hidden gems in there like a reasonably priced food item you can't get anywhere else? Something else I'm missing? I live near the one on Bloor but got spooked looking at the prices the few times I went in.
While many things are over-priced there, there are some decent deals relative to cost.
At the top of my list would be their Focaccia. I'm confident they can't equal
@Benito 's but it's really pretty good and the 'personal' size one is under $4 (good for one, if indulgent but reasonable for two with a meal), the full size is something like $11, which is a bit hefty.
The fresh pasta is quite good. Full priced, but top quality, and it's pasta so it's not insane. You can generally get two nests or equivalent for $7 or so. These are good size nests, btw, each one is a moderate portion, 2 can serve 2.... or you can just be very indulgent.
They do have not bad value with some of their wagyu meats. Again, certainly more than typical grocery store beef, but compared to like at the St. Lawrence Market, they're competitive.
Hey, their Tomahawk Steak is on promo, just for you!
Seriously, the wagyu burger patties are surprisingly decent value.
Some of the better deli meats are also reasonable value.
The produce tends to be overpriced and sometimes not even that fresh in respect of greens/herbs; avoid that section for the most part; most over priced are their desserts, sauces and meals to-go in the fridge. They come at about a 50% premium to comparable product.
Seafood is solid. (Its from Diana's)
Some of their other breads are good as well, but a bit less value.
For a quick bite, their pizza isn't terrible value if you like the style. Good portion size, bit crust heavy, but it's a nice crust.
On the regular shelves, stuff like pasta and cookies etc. vary widely, but are mostly over priced; but there are some value pasta brands where you can get rare shapes, colours and flavours at prices that are only slightly excessive, say $4 per package.
Example:
That's $3.49 for an uncommon form.
On the other hand, if you just want to burn money...........or really love saffron:
This one is $9.99 *** for only 250gr
Of course, many people just go for the experience, to dine, or to grab a bottle of wine (they have really good depth in Italian Wines, including many you will not find at the LCBO.)
