Eataly Boston opens later today in Back Bay’s Prudential Center! Earlier this month, I was lucky enough to have the chance to tour the brand new 45,000 square foot Italian marketplace, complete with four restaurants, several to-go counters, and a cooking school, and spent a couple of hours exploring the artisanal markets and sampling everything from Neapolitan pizza to Island Creek Oysters.

Each Eataly is dedicated to a theme that carries throughout the marketplace, and Eataly Boston is a celebration of the sea and the fisheries of New England. The design and layout of the impressive three floor space is extremely well-executed, with the four different restaurants located in the heart of the main floor, surrounded by the numerous Italian markets featuring the fine cheeses, wines, meats, seafood, olive oils, and, of course, lots of pasta.

I’ve no doubt that a visit to Eataly will become a regular stop for us during our day trips down to Boston – whether we run in to grab a slice of Margherita pizza to go while exploring the city, spend some time shopping at the markets, or make a night of it and dine at Il Pesce.

Photos by Meredith Perdue for Map & Menu.