Eataly who?
Over the course of the pandemic, chef Jamie Malone’s Eastside restaurant space has played host to pop-up takeout concepts, from the pizza-focused Woodfired to the seafood and ham counter La Pistola. Now, the former Eastside space is headed towards a full reopening after being reinvented as EaTo, an Italian eatery à la Eataly.
EaTo is opening in a few phases: currently, it’s operating a takeout window and small outdoor patio. Reservations aren’t currently accepted for the patio, but guests can freely order online and take their food to go. A standout of the current menu is the pizza puff, described by owner Matt Monroe as “like Totino’s pizza rolls for adults.” They’re cheesy, stuffed with nduja or olive, and all-around perfectly snackable. In addition, Italian-inspired cocktails crafted by Marco Zappia of 3res Leches are on offer. Highlights include a mandarin negroni, cucumber spumoni, and artichoke-infused Old Fashioned.
Phase two will open the bottle shop, a meat counter, and the market space, which will offer Italian ingredients and recipe kits, along with an expanded menu.
Finally, phase three will involve the creation of a pop-up space for ticketed events and dinners in Eastside’s former private dining room.
EaTo is currently open from 3pm to 9pm on Wednesdays and Thursdays, and from 3pm to 10pm on Fridays and Saturdays. Find it at 305 S Washington Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55415.
[Featured image: EaTo Instagram]