YUM nibble on this In professional kitchens, chef hats aren’t trend we love just for fashion. supersize The height signifi es kitchen rank: The top chef food halls gets the tallest hat! New York City restaurants aren’t just for eating anymore! Old-school, European-style food halls are of the moment, and they’re merging dining, shopping and cooking experiences. Double shot! We spiked the syrup and the toast with instant espresso! French Toast with Espresso Cream SERVES 4 PREP 15 MIN COOK 10 MIN 2 tablespoons instant espresso italian tech-decked fine-dining pastry powder mega-center eatery wonderland paradise 1 cup sweetened condensed milk 4 eggs Mario Batali doesn’t do Thanks to the high- If you’re visiting New Forget what you know ¼ cup heavy cream anything small, but with tech ordering system York City, chances about pastry shops. In ¼ teaspoon salt NYC’s Eataly, he may at FoodParc—you are you’ll be making Brooklyn’s über-stylish Eight ½-inch-thick slices challah have even out-Batali’d place your order at an a pilgrimage to the Choice Kitchens & bread himself—it takes up electric kiosk, then get Fifth Avenue shopping Bakery, quick-service more than 42,000 a text when it’s ready strip. Make the stores stations inspired by 4 tablespoons unsalted butter square feet (that’s for pickup—everyone secondary to Todd European road stops almost an entire block). in your group can English’s Plaza Food serve it all: house- 1. In a small bowl, whisk the Grab a hand cart: The choose from dishes at a Hall. Sample the chow made charcuterie, espresso powder with ½ cup hot shelves are stuffed burger bar, brick-oven cafeteria-style: Asian Mediterranean dishes, water. Reserve 2 tablespoons of with imported Italian restaurant, coffee shop dumplings, made-to- a full vegan menu, wine specialties like fi zzy or dim sum bar, and dine order carved meat and cheese tastings the espresso liquid. Whisk the prosecco and sodas; the together at one table. sandwiches, wood-fi re and handmade treats. condensed milk into the remaining best tomatoes, espresso (Restaurateur Jeffrey pizza, homemade The architecture is as espresso liquid. and pastas; and butcher Chodorow modeled the chocolates and more drool-worthy as the 2. In a baking dish, whisk together counters bursting with communal tables after can be ordered at eight food. Blissfully consume fresh, locally sourced the ones at European separate food counters. your meal surrounded the eggs, cream, salt and reserved cuts. Can’t wait to food halls.) After dining, Then hit the market by the hand-blown espresso liquid. Add the bread sample? Pull up a seat: patrons can chill out with for cocoas, coffees and light fi xtures, chic slices to the dish and turn to coat. Eataly has four formal a homemade milkshake, olive oils (some are concrete rooms and 3. In a large nonstick skillet or restaurants and more fl oat or cocktail from the pressed on-site from stone-clad counters griddle, melt 2 tablespoons butter casual counters for full bar. Spring visitors fresh olives!), or the that scored this place a snacking on cheeses, will be able to amble demo kitchen to take nomination for a James over medium heat. Add 4 slices charcuterie, pizza, through the outdoor a class or soak up Beard design award. bread and cook, turning once, rotisserie meats and, food-cart brigade, now tips from English’s (108 Jay St., Brooklyn, until golden-brown, about of course, gelato. in the works. (845 Sixth talented kitchen staff. choicekitchens.com) 5 minutes. Repeat with the (200 Fifth Ave., eataly Ave., foodparc.com, (1 W. 59th St., —KAREN CATCHPOLE .com, 212-229-2560) 212-564-4567) theplazafoodhall.com) remaining 2 tablespoons butter and 4 slices bread. Serve warm, drizzled with the espresso cream. more halls across the country 1. California Market Hall: This open-air market features an outdoor fi re pit, bocce tip If you can’t fi nd challah 2. Todd bread, a baguette will work. ball court and seasonal pumpkin patch. (400 San Pablo Ave., Hercules) Illinois Just cut large slices on a bias. English’s upcoming food hall will be a Chicago rendition of his booming NYC original—but twice the size. (address TBD) 3. Virginia Society Fair: Open till midnight, this soon-to- debut hall will house a bakery, butchery and wine bar. (277 S. Washington St., Alexandria) EATALY, EVAN SUNG.EATALY, PHOTOGRAPH BY LUCAS ZAREBINSKI; PROP STYLING BY SARA WACKSMAN. 22 DAY WITH RACHAEL RAY rachaelraymag.com YM.indd 2 1/13/11 4:52:52 AM.