665119 Fri Nov 06 04:57:12 -0800 2009 9 12 Boston Area 0 5160309 I popped into Gran Gusto for dinner yesterday evening and was pleased to see they had a special fresh black truffle menu. Truffles featured in salad, pasta, and pizza. I ordered the white pizza ($22, mozzerella, prosciutto, shaved truffles). Now let me say I was taking a real chance because I don't love ALL things truffle. I actually find truffle oil really foul tasting. But once in Rome at Cul-de-Sac I had a pecorino cheese studded with truffles and it really blew my mind. So based on this one occasion when I actually liked it, I went for the pizza. The moment it arrived I knew I made the right decision. Oh the joy of sticking my face over that pizza and having all those aromas wafting up! I was practically delirious while eating it. We also had a stracciatella di Bufala special as an appetizer ($13) which was also heavenly. The mouthfeel and taste of this cheese was half way between burrata and regular mozzarella di Bufala . MR had a seafood ravioli for his entree also a special ($22). He loves salmon in it was stuffed with salmon so he was happy... but I doubt as happy as me. Fri Nov 06 04:57:12 -0800 2009 162278 heypielady 1 5160622 Try not to confuse truffles with truffle oil The latter, save for two brands, contains no truffle, but instead, a petroleum derivative: 2 ppm for black, 4 ppm for white and not approved for consumption above 10ppm. Fri Nov 06 07:27:11 -0800 2009 5160309 102066 almansa 2 5160679 Do you happen to know which two brands DO contain truffle? Fri Nov 06 07:45:43 -0800 2009 5160622 10232 yumyum 3 5161576 The one available on the East Coast is da Rosario. It's more expensive, and it doesn't slap you in the face or make your sinuses sting. There is one available out west - I can't recall the name, but I assume it's the same product marketed by a different company. I'm not sure where it is available retail. Fri Nov 06 12:23:17 -0800 2009 5160679 102066 almansa 4 5162260 warning... ALL truffle oils are not made from truffles. A truly "made-from-truffle" oil is the mythical creature of legend sought after in vain by many a foodie. http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/16/dining/16truf.html Fri Nov 06 16:13:01 -0800 2009 5161576 128952 slow_hand 5 5162556 Yes, that article predates the two made from truffle by about a year, and who is Daniel Patterson to talk, anyway? He is no stranger to cooking with Dow Chemical and Ajinomoto products (Methocel, Activa, etc.). Also, the Times has since endorsed the product. And while I have zero faith in the USDA, it is USDA Certified Organic based on our gov's analysis of the forests of origin of the truffles and the olive groves for the oil. Fri Nov 06 19:28:11 -0800 2009 5162260 102066 almansa 6 5162648 :). they are not. just try and find out the facts, about the real origin of "organic truffle flavor" etc etc. we're all looking for "good stuff" - unless u're the truffle oil maker no need to get defensive, it's not your false advertising i'm attacking. Fri Nov 06 20:46:18 -0800 2009 5162556 128952 slow_hand 1 5160656 sounds delicious! Usually it's white truffle in Italy with the best from Piedmont. There is a black truffle that is inexpensive and not very aromatic and the black Perigord truffle from France. Did they specify which? Fri Nov 06 07:38:23 -0800 2009 5160309 13803 gourmaniac 2 5160737 The waiter told me the black truffles were from Norcia Umbria. I have never had white truffles but I look forward to trying them. To almansa: that probably explains why I don't like truffle oil. Agreed: truffles not to be confused with truffle oil. Totally different tastes. Fri Nov 06 08:01:57 -0800 2009 5160656 162278 heypielady 1 5163694 if anyone thinks of it while there - are they serving these dishes at lunch? Sat Nov 07 13:27:52 -0800 2009 5160309 51849 okra