52116 Mon Nov 11 11:11:02 -0800 2002 4 2 Los Angeles Area 0 265688 In spirited bidding against a dog named Gunther IV, I see that Joe Pytka of Bastide bought an Italian white truffle at auction for $35,000. It's a truffle that weighs a whole kilogram, and the benefit auction was held yesterday at Valentino. He should take delivery of the truffle tomorrow (Tuesday). I guess this means a new tasting menu at Bastide: Mushroom soup with truffle oil Fall salad with truffles Fish of the day with truffle sauce Hericot vert with truffles Mashed potato with truffles Truffles with truffles Truffle mousse for dessert All served with a nice truffle tea Link: http://www.kfwb.com/news_local.asp?displayOption=&contentGUID={7A3F2244-1BB9-4E6A-8452-5C0371574202}&groupName=KFWB%20Front%20Page%20Local%20Headlines&siteGUID={3B62BF55-4A93-48E6-A45D-6A495DC423AD} Mon Nov 11 11:11:02 -0800 2002 0 lil mikey 1 265691 Actually, I heard that one doesn't usually cook a white truffle. They cook the black ones. Mon Nov 11 11:28:32 -0800 2002 265688 0 kc girl 1 265701 Can't have a Barolo with it though, as they have a French only wine list. Just had to get my two cents in. Jon Mon Nov 11 12:20:59 -0800 2002 265688 0 Jon Leventhal 1 265705 Don't forget the white truffle pizza. Yum! Mon Nov 11 12:39:14 -0800 2002 265688 0 evra 1 265785 I also heard the story on both NPR and KABC as i was driving home tonite... looks like the publicity alone was worth the 35k. The best part was the thing about the dog. Tue Nov 12 01:20:02 -0800 2002 265688 0 C. Sprouse