Truffle Season

[cynthia105]

With truffle season around the corner, any recs where I can find dishes w/ truffle shavings at good prices?

[cynthia105]

I guess what I meant with "good prices", meant within truffle reason. Maybe a pasta with shaved truffles? I tried Cubes truffle oil pasta. Didn't really like it..

[bluebandit]

Still way too early to get "good prices". White truffles are now $2800/lb. wholesale, and not nearly fragrant enough to warrant that price. Give it another three to four weeks.

[ipsedixit]

Briganti

www.brigantisouthpas.com

[Grog]

When speaking of truffle season, I assumed the op was interested in the white truffles of Europe (primarily from Alba). While I like Brigante's menu, I'm certain none of these offerings include white truffles. It also appears this is not a seasonal offering.

Black Truffles are more widely available and pale in comparision to the taste and aroma of Tartufo de Alba.

[SauceSupreme]

The last place I had truffle shaved was Piccolo in Venice, but the *best* place has been Spago with their black truffle agnolotti.

-----
Spago
176 North Canon Drive, Beverly Hills, CA 90210

[RicRios]

If you ever see (white) truffle shavings at good prices, stay away!

[wilafur]

why?

[AquaW]

It depends on what RicRios mean by "good prices" -- but there are a few deceiving tricks some sneakier restaurants can use to just jack up the margins... such as using the much cheaper (white) truffle oil, or using Oregonian truffles (which, while good, are a world's away from European ones).

~H.C.
http://la-oc-foodie.blogspot.com

[RicRios]

Exactly. Tuber Oregonensis, Tuber Sinensis (very common), or any other Tuber in this list except Magnatum. Plus a little Trader Joe's oil and voilà, your $80 truffle pasta is ready MonsieurDames!

http://www.plantnames.unimelb.edu.au/...

[WCchopper]

Is the flavor of the Oregon truffles noticable different to the uneducated palate? I have heard of the difference between white and dark truffles but not of the Oregon vs European.

[RicRios]

I'd put it this way: it's like wines. Huge differences, some kind of general consensus, but by all means you should only trust your own senses. In a few months you should be able to get Oregon truffles. Quite a few vendors will pop up in Google. Opinions vary. Try for yourself. I guarantee you'll notice HUGE differences.

[wilafur]

thanks all for the info.

"learn something new everyday!"

[Snoopy]

Try Wilson. Had a great pasta with white truffles there last year in early-mid November-- they were very generous with the truffles.

[Grog]

These places should have them (quick list):
All' Angelo
Sona
Fraiche
Valentino
Drago
Il Grano

P.S. "truffle shavings at good prices" is an oxymoron

[hrhboo]

Strongly second Valentino, had a wonderful truffle dinner there last year. I agree about the oxymoron, truffles don't come cheap and if they did I'd be worried!

[New Trial]

Ortolan will also be offering a white truffle based tasting menu.