Reviews Of The Desserts At Eataly

In The New York Times' Dining Section today Sam Sifton appraises the latest outpost of the Bastianich-Batali empire. If you haven't yet visited Eataly, their Italian resto-megamart in the Flatiron District, the Pasticceria is a rewarding place to start.

Torta di Nocciole di Costiglio.

Strategize how you want to attack the orb-shaped flourless hazelnut cake ($4.80). It stands there like some dessert version of the monolith in 2001: A Space Odyssey. The Torta di Nocciole di Costiglio (below) has a crunchy hazelnut shell and smooth, fudgy chocolate in the middle— think super-sized Ferrero Rocher. Wonderful in between sips of bitter espresso.

Cross-section of the Babà al Limoncello.

The glistening amber glaze that coats the Babà al Limoncello is enough to make you do a double-take ($5.80). It beckons. Your fork does that thing where it just sinks in, tines absorbed by pastry that has been well-soaked with the lemon liquor. Then the big reveal: a tangy, lemon cream center. Stuff this in the face of the hype-hater and go, "see, I told you so."

Diabella.

The aerated cream in this white chocolate and hazelnut Bavarian cake is so super-smooth and light you wonder how it retains the dome. It has all the hazelnut flavor without the texture, concealing a thin chocolate sponge cake and white chocolate ganache at the center ($5.80).

Tiramisu su Torronato.

The Tiramisu su Torronato had Lidia all a-twitter. And with good reason— it's a lovely tiramisu ($5.80). A layer of liqueur-soaked cake with more of that airy cream, here studded with hazelnuts, and on either end a thin sheet of dark chocolate.

Tortina di Mele Renette.

This Apple Tart ($4.80) was the only real fumble. Don't bite in expecting something akin to pound cake, this is more dry, with a soft-sablé kind of texture. The apple flavor is lacking too— hunt and you might find a few stray pieces. Hold out for another Babà or Diabella.