IWNA Issue 1, 2019

39 / 94

ST. ROCH MARKET: THE
GRANDFATHER OF FOOD HALLS
Lay of the Land: New Orleans’ St. Roch
Market has existed in some way, shape,
or form since the 1870s. Originally a state-
owned, open-air market, this historic venue
later became a privately owned seafood
merchant until it was nearly destroyed during
Hurricane Katrina in 2005. A decade after being
shuttered, St. Roch Market reopened as an
upscale food hall with the intent of bringing in
vendors who are testing out new ideas before
venturing out with stand-alone restaurants.
The Game Plan: Satisfy your Southern sea-
food cravings with golden-brown crab cakes,
oysters on the half-shell, gumbo, and shrimp
and grits. If you’re after variety, Vietnamese
pho (rice-noodle soup), Haitian street food,
and veggie-centric options, such as avocado
toast, kale salad, and an array of quinoa
bowls, are a must-try. Stop by The Mayhaw for an inventive craft cock-
tail, and don’t miss their weekday happy hour for $6 drink specials.
Other Locations: In 2018, St. Roch Market opened its second loca-
tion in Miami, Florida, and is looking to open a third outpost in Nashville.
Also Try: Auction House Market (from the same operator as St. Roch
Market) and Phythian Market, both in New Orleans
1-800-LUCKY: FLAVORS OF ASIA
Lay of the Land: Set in Miami’s trendy Wynwood neighborhood, this
food hall features seven vendors—handpicked fromJapan, New York,
California, and South Florida — that cover a wide range of Asian
cuisines, including dim sum, sushi, ramen, and banh mi (Vietnamese-
style baguette sandwich).
The Game Plan: A bowl of pork ramen from Hayato Miami or an ahi
tuna poke bowl from Poke OG is a must, but don’t leave without trying
the soup dumplings from Yip and the Peking duck buns from Lotus +
Cleaver. Wash your meal down with a frozen Kirin Ichiban beer. (This is
one of only two places in Florida that serve it.) On your way out, stop by
Taiyaki NYC, located on the outside terrace, for a swirl of matcha ice
cream topped with a strawberry drizzle and served in an adorable fish-
shaped cone — it’s totally Instagramable!
Off-Menu: There’s a vinyl record shop and a convenience store by
the entrance, plus a karaoke room for private parties. The venue reg-
ularly hosts local DJs and transforms the outdoor dining terrace into
a dance floor.
Also Try: La Centrale at Brickell City Centre in downtown Miami and
St. Roch Market’s outpost in the Miami Design District
EATALY: EAT LIKE AN ITALIAN
Lay of the Land: This Italian-themed food emporium started out in
2007 in an old vermouth factory in Turin, Italy. Now, Eataly is a global
brand, withmore than 40 locations around the world, including Florence
and Bari in Italy, and Chicago, Illinois, and Boston, Massachusetts, in
the U.S.
The Game Plan: The offerings vary per location, but in general,
Eataly’s specialized restaurants and quick-service counters are
dedicated to pasta, pizza, seafood, meat, cheese, and seasonal
vegetables. No matter what you dine on, you’re guaranteed fresh
Italian eats accompanied by fine Italian wines.
Off-Menu: This is more than a food hall — it’s a hybrid model that’s
part grocery store and part artisanal marketplace. It also hosts
cooking courses and wine tastings.
Other Locations: Check out Paris’ newly opened Eataly at the
Galeries Lafayette, which holds the exclusive franchise rights in
France. The three-story food hall includes seven restaurants, a
courtyard fruit and vegetable market, cafes, and a wine cellar. And
on the high seas, get a taste of Eataly aboard select ships on MSC
Cruises. See page 84 for more details.
GOURMAND FOOD HALL: WORLDLY TASTES
Lay of the Land: Gourmand Food Hall, which bills itself as “Argentina’s
first food hall,” opened in late 2016 inside the Patio Bullrich shopping
mall in Buenos Aires. It features several French elements, including
a bistro, a meat and cheese mart, and a boulangerie (French-style
bakery) and patisserie (pastry shop). It also has an Italian restaurant, a
rotisserie counter, a sushi and oyster bar, a sommelier-led wine bar, and
a burger joint and beer hall.
The Game Plan: Here you’re covered from breakfast to dinner. Order
a pain au chocolat (chocolate roll) with coffee in the morning to kick-
start your day of shopping; indulge in an Angus-burger-and-lager
pairing before catching a matinee upstairs at the movie theater;
and finish your night with a grilled octopus appetizer followed by a
duck magret entree.
Off-Menu: Shop for sweet souvenirs at Le Marché (the market), where
you’ll find an array of international and national artisanal products.
Gourmand Food Hall regularly offers culinary classes, special multi-
course dinners, and wine tastings, and hosts the annual Gourmand
Taste Festival. n
INTERVAL WORLD ■ Issue 1, 2019 35
ST. ROCH MARKET
ZUMA Press Inc/Alamy Stock Photo; 2018 The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas; Zack Smith Photography/NOCVB