In the world of fine dining, black truffles are a delicacy worth a hefty price. If you haven’t been lucky enough to try black truffles before, you are in for a treat. The aroma of this delicacy is earthy and heady, and it will reach you far before you even take a bite. Truffles are seasonal, in limited supply, and perishable, the combination of which makes them cost a pretty penny. Luckily their flavor is so distinct that it doesn’t take a lot to enhance a dish. If you’re ready to indulge in a meal with black truffles, these are our favorite places in the world to enjoy this delicacy.
Bartolotta’s Lake Park Bistro
Set on the shores of Lake Michigan in Milwaukee, Bartolotta’s Lake Park Bistro hosts an annual Black Truffle Dinner. The event offers six courses with six wine pairings from Corporate Executive Chef and James Beard award winner Adam Siegel.
The Black Truffle Dinner returns to Bartolotta’s Lake Park Bistro for its 16th year. Join us for a culinary event like no other in the city. Imagine yourself seated at the Bistro surrounded by the distinct, incredible aroma of Urbani black truffles and amazing wine. The dining room will be abuzz with guests catching up after the holidays and discussing each course as they are delivered to the tables by our expertly-trained service team. Paired with each of the courses will be some of our favorite wines from our all-French wine list and others brought in specifically for this event.
Amalfi Ristorante Italiano & Bar
In Houston, foodies flock to the annual Black Truffle Wine Dinner hosted by Chef Giancarlo Ferrara at Amalfi Ristorante Italiano & Bar.
This will be a very special evening with guest sponsors, Urbani Truffles and Michele Chiarlo Winery from Piemonte, Italy. The menu will feature, beautiful imported Italian Black Truffles and perfectly paired rare vintage wines. You will also enjoy live music by Tianna Hall and the Houston Jazz Band. During the dinner, there will be a live auction featuring Special Black Truffles and a double Magnum Barbera Wine Bottle. The winner of the Black Truffle Auction will enjoy a private dinner for eight guests prepared by Chef Giancarlo Ferrara. Proceeds from the Auction will benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
La Toque Napa Valley
Foodies in wine country know that La Toque’s annual Black Truffle menu is a must try. This Michelin starred restaurant offers an exclusive meal with black truffles every January for the past 37 years. At La Toque, they pride themselves on educating their guests on truffle use and avoiding low-quality imitations.
We only use truffles from sources we know well and have used for years. We feature three species of fresh Truffles; Tuber magnatum pico, the true white truffle, Tuber melanosporum, the true winter black truffle and occasionally Tuber uncinatum, often referred to as the Summer or Burgundy truffle. Other species just don’t compare, and they’re not worth the money. We do not use truffles native to China or Oregon, although we look forward to the success of American truffle plantations in the next few years. The truffles from the Himalayas are technically truffles, but their flavor pales in comparison to the real thing. Sadly, many people don’t know the difference and are either easily fooled, or worse, mix them in with real truffles to cut costs.
This year, they are pleased to offer a summer truffle menu in June utilizing fresh Australian-grown black truffles.
Oak Tuscan Truffle Lounge
For truffle menus year-round, head to Oak Tuscan Truffle Lounge in New York City’s West Village. This award-winning restaurant offers an extensive menu of truffle flavored dishes. Owner-chef Rudy Accornero, a Rome-born Florentine launched the restaurant with business partner Svetlana Voloshnya.
Accornero owns a small truffle company in Italy that sells to clients around the world. “It got me thinking, there’s no restaurant in New York that sells truffles from A to Z, from appetizers to dessert,” he told The Post. “Let me be first to offer this fruit of the earth in every aspect.” –New York Post
It certainly is a treat to indulge in a meal with black truffles, and a visit to any of these restaurants is worth it during truffle season! For even more fine dining inspiration, explore California Cuisine: Four Chefs Leading Fine Dining Trends.
