Karilin Salcedo
Eataly NYC Downtown
101 Liberty St
New York, NY 10007
When I chose Eataly to share my story, it wasn’t just for the food—it was for the memories that come with it. Italian food has always held a special place in my heart. I first tasted it as a child, around eight or nine, thanks to an Italian man named Dominic. He owned a deli in South Jamaica, Queens, on the same block as my dad’s bodega. My father and Dominic were good friends, so I’d often tag along to his deli. Dominic was the only Italian man in the neighborhood, which made him and his food even more intriguing – he definitely stood out.
One afternoon, I visited the deli alone because Dominic’s son, who was my age, was there. I watched Dominic as he sautéed pasta in a pan, different from the typical red sauce and cheesy pasta I was used to. When I asked what he was making, he explained it was a simple spaghetti dish from Naples—just pasta with cheese and olive oil. He offered me a taste, and that moment sparked my lifelong love affair with Italian food.
My first solo cooking attempt wasn’t rice and beans like you’d expect from someone with a Puerto Rican-Dominican background—it was Italian. I fell in love with the simplicity of dishes like linguine with olive oil and parmesan. They became my comfort food, reminding me of those simpler times. The food at Eataly brings me back to that. The dishes here are unpretentious, much like Dominic's, and that nostalgia is what draws me to this place.
The last time I was here was a couple of years ago with an ex-boyfriend. Today, I’m glad to be here with you, creating happier memories.
It’s funny how things come full circle. My love for Italian food started with a simple plate of pasta, and now I’m planning a trip to Italy with my daughter, who shares my passion for the cuisine. She’s turning 16, and for her birthday, she wanted to travel to Europe. We decided on Italy—Rome, Florence, etc. I’m excited to experience the country’s rich history and cuisine with her, to see the wonder in her eyes as she discovers a new culture.
But… I’m also excited for the wine. Red all the way—Cabernet, Chianti. A good red wine enhances the flavors of so many foods. Like this prosciutto right here, so buttery and pairs beautifully with the Chianti. But I also love a rosé and prosecco moment…
Even though it might be taboo, I like to have red wine with popcorn. When I share this with people, everyone says, “that’s from Scandal on Channel 7… Olivia Pope loves eating popcorn and having it with red wine!” and I’m like, wait a minute, that was my thing first. I should’ve gotten paid for that.
As we sit here, savoring the buttery bread, I can’t help but reflect on how life has brought me to this point. I’m five years cancer-free now but coming down to this area is bittersweet. It’s close to where I used to work, near the World Trade Center, and I can’t forget the memories of that time—how I was late for work on 9/11, the chaos, and walking through the streets covered in dust. That white dust, I later found out was carcinogenic, and little did we know we were all breathing it in… it was bad. Really bad.
My cancer was determined to be environmental, related to 9/11. It changed me, and I still feel its impact. I now have decreased lung capacity, can’t walk up a flight of stairs without feeling short-of-breath. I used to be a competitive powerlifter… so you can imagine how that feels. I still work out, but it’s just not the same.
But today, being here with you, the memories don’t feel as heavy. It feels like a fresh start, like I’m reclaiming this place for happier times. The food, the wine, and the company—it all makes me feel connected to the past, but in a way that’s comforting rather than painful. I’ve learned that life, like food, is best enjoyed with love and good company.
…
For me, experience doesn’t have a price tag. I’ll spend whatever it takes to get an amazing experience because that’s something you can take with you. If a place makes me feel welcome, I’ll keep coming back and recommend it to friends. But if I walk into a restaurant and they’re pretentious, no matter how good the food is, I’m not going to like it. I’m not going to spend my money there. I’d rather buy a Louis bag that I can take with me somewhere… It’s true.
And as I sit here, I realize how important it is to not take life too seriously. I’ve come close to death, so I feel like I’m on borrowed time. For me, it’s all about making sure I get things done, experiencing everything I can. Because if not, I don’t want to die not experiencing life.
