It does, every now and then when i'm in the area, the place is packed. Not too hard since they only have 4-5 tables but it still means that people like it. To me the most outstanding feature(besides of their flawless pasta dishes) is the ambience, the music, the layout etc...It just makes you forget that you're in a crowded mega city. Their wine choice is also decent and goes well with everything.
If You Like Italian, You'll Love Eatalia
With the in-laws visiting from the UK, a trip to 798 Art District was called for. Every time we visit 798, there are new stores and gallery’s to be explored, it really is a great place to pick up some unique gifts for those back home. After a couple of hours strolling around the lanes, admiring a vast array of art work, and spending too much money on ceramics, it was time to find somewhere for lunch. Eatalia serves up authentic Italian food, using good quality ingredients, and is the perfect lunch-time spot.
To start, we devoured some of Eatalia’s home-made focaccia bread (RMB 18). It smelt divine, all rosemary, basil, and sundried tomatoes. The crust was rich with olive oil, sprinkled with sea salt, the inside beautifully soft with a perfect airy texture. It was one of the best focaccia’s I had ever eaten. Dipped into the generous servings of olive oil and rich pesto, I could happily have foregone my main course and eaten half a loaf of this beautiful bread.
For mains, we ordered two pasta dishes, the Lasagna di Manzo (RMB 70) and the Penne al Tonno (RMB 58). The robustly savory meat sauce of the beef lasagna, contrasted well with the rich and creamy béchamel sauce, and just a hint of cheese on top. The star of the show was, rightly so, the thin and perfectly cooked sheets of fresh pasta. The pasta in the penne dish was cooked perfect al-dente. Smothered with a rich cherry tomato, tuna, and olive sauce, it was a truly delicious dish.
The rest of the group opted for pizzas. The Marinara (RMB 45/88/176) was topped with mozzarella, capers, olives, and wonderfully fresh and salty anchovies. The Rustica (RMB48/99/198) combined mozzarella with cherry tomatoes, parmigiana, plenty of parma ham, and finished with ruculo. The Salsiccia (RMB 42/85/169) is topped with slices of herby Italian sausage, onions, and mozzarella. The small pizza size is a generous serving for one, the medium easily feeds 2-3 people, and the large is exactly that.
The toppings on every Eatalia pizza incorporate good quality fresh ingredients. Their pizza base is an authentic Italian base – thin and crispy, achieving the perfect balance with the softer garnishes. Eatalia serves up wonderful Italian cuisine, in a great 798 setting.
This article originally appeared on our sister website, beijingkids.
Photos: Sally Wilson, courtesy of Eatalia
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Re: If You Like Italian, You'll Love Eatalia
Yes - I agree - it's a great little place and I think Charlie is class act. Very easy-going, friendly guy. We wrote about the place when it had just opened and I'm glad to see it's still going strong.
Anyone know Charlie's in Shuangjing? Ofc not. Coz it's small, run by a chinese boss and doesn't have a photoshopped menu card. What it does have however is the best Penne al Tuna in BJ for 26rmb instead of your asked 58 rmb. I'm italian myself and i gotta say, Charlie's is as close as you get to Italy! Pizzas could use some improvements but the pasta is 110% italian! I hate foreign restaurants that pretend to be special by just renting their facilities in an expensive area or just because they are run by a foreigner. Was eating in Eatalia myself and i can say, food is fine and average, no complaints there but why those horrendous prices? Same thing for american places like lily's diner, annie's etc... Pretenders all over Beijing which sucks. I get my 13 inch pizzas at pizza +, 55 rmb closest to real italian pizza, my pasta at Charlie's and my Burgers at Plan B or (believe it or not) Mc Donald's. Cheers Rantmode: off.