A winter pop-up inspired by the Italian Alps is happening at a grocery store in Toronto
Published January 22, 2025 at 3:35 pm
Wish you could head to the Italian Alps this winter, but can’t afford the airfare? A Toronto grocery store has you covered with a pop-up inspired by winter in the Alps.
Alpina is a pop-up experience happening this winter at Eataly, an international Italian grocery store with multiple locations in Toronto.
Alpina encompasses specialty menus and cocktails, happy hours, events, classes and workshops. Design inspired by mountain cabins called baita brings together the whole immersive apres ski vibe.
The menu showcases Northern Italian cuisine, with influences from nearby Alpine countries. Options include a polenta bar, fonduta di formaggio, canederli and cotoletta alla valdostana.
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The polenta is served on a wooden board with options including meat, mushroom or short rib ragu. The fonduta is basically an Italian twist on classic fondue, and canederli are a kind of bread gnocchi related to German bread dumplings. Cotoletta alla valdostana is a breaded chicken cutlet stuffed with cheese, prosciutto and spinach originating in Valle d’Aosta.
As for drinks, there’s the By The Fire, a warm apple cider spiked with whiskey and Fernet, as well as hot toddies and Bombardino, a kind of Italian eggnog.
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There’s lots going on during the Alpina pop-up, too. Cortina Happy Hour takes place every Monday through Thursday, Brunch Alpino is every Saturday and Sunday, and there’s an Apres Ski Aperitivo with a DJ, raclette station and photo ops every other Friday.
On Feb. 28, they’re blowing it out of the water with an Apres Ski Night theme party with a DJ, beverages and bites.
Most Alpina experiences are taking place at Eataly Yorkville, but you can experience a more limited version of the pop-up at other locations.