buy fresh truffles?

[estnet]

anyplace? Prefer peninsula if possible.

[sholli]

Not near the peninsula, but Monterey Market in Berkeley has them.

[estnet]

any idea of price. white or black - source? Might take a drive if it's worthwhile ;)

[Robert Lauriston]

White truffles, you really want to make arrangements before they arrive so that you get them as fresh as possible. The Pasta Shop in Berkeley usually gets at least one shipment in season. I heard they're going for $150-200 an ounce this year. I know some wholesaler had a shipment come in Wednesday, not sure who.

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/580152

Call around before going out of your way. Some places to call:

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Pasta Shop
5655 College Ave, Oakland, CA 94618

Monterey Foods
1550 Hopkins St, Berkeley, CA 94707

Polarica
105 Quint St, San Francisco, CA

Far West Fungi
1 Ferry Bldg # 34, San Francisco, CA

Fatted Calf
320 Fell St, San Francisco, CA 94102

[Ruth Lafler]

Farmstead Cheeses and Wines -- preorder only, I think they were $175/ounce, random weight whole truffles.

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Farmstead Cheeses & Wines
1650 Park St, Alameda, CA 94501

Farmstead Cheeses and Wines
6218 La Salle Ave, Oakland, CA

[Robert Lauriston]

Orders were due last Tuesday for delivery today and tomorrow. That's how I knew some wholesaler had a shipment come in.

[sholli]

Monterey has black ones. Not sure of the per ounce price b/c they have them priced individually in containers, at around $15-25 each. I haven't cooked w/ them yet, so I'm not good at eyeballing the size. I'd give a call.

[Robert Lauriston]

Draeger's, maybe.

[arlenemae]

I've seen both black and white truffles at Draeger's in San Mateo.

[estnet]

called them today and after being transferred twice was told they don't have any and not clear if they'll get any (person didn't really speak English :( )

[Dawgmommy]

Contact Juliana at the Pasta Shop in Market Hall in Oakland. I just got an e-mail notice from her that states Italian White truffles are $250 / oz and Ialian Black are $35 / oz. Deadline to order is Nov 19 and the truffle will arrive Nov 21 Tuesday before Thankgiving.

[SteveG]

I've ordered from the Pasta Shop in years past. Their prices are about 25% higher than others, and last year the quality was not worth the price premium. This year, if I buy one I'll probably try mail ordering. I think I remember Etruria and Costco both got favorable mentions last year.

[estnet]

can't find any at costco.com or in local stores

[Dawgmommy]

Gee, that's too bad. I've always had good luck with them. Last year they were $50 /oz and I got one about that size for Thanksgiving.

Later, I got a 2nd one for Xmas, it was a little more, I think about $75 but I don't remember for sure. I also think that it was French from the Perigord (sp?) region. I believe their season starts a little later.

The Pasta Shop is also very conveniet for me, I go to Market Hall regualrly to buy stuff.

[Robert Lauriston]

I had some of a white truffle (Tuber magnatum pico) from Farmstead last night. It was as good quality as I've seen in this country, apparently this is the best year in a while. They'll take another round of orders in a few weeks. You might call ItalFoods, the importer, to see if anyone on the Peninsula is selling them.

Perigord aka black winter truffles (Tuber melanosporum) come from France, Spain, and Italy. The season is November or December through March. They are not nearly as perishable as white truffles and they preserve quite well, so getting them fresh is not as essential. Watch out for misleadingly labeled black summer truffle (Tuber aestivum).

Personally I don't much care for raw black truffles. I figure if I'm going to cook them anyway, I might as well save money and buy them preserved. I've found those intermittently at Draeger's, though last time I wanted some I couldn't find them anywhere locally:

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/412896

[Paul H]

White truffles are in stock at Far West Fungi in the Ferry Building and are priced at $150 per oz.

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Far West Fungi
1 Ferry Bldg # 34, San Francisco, CA

[Paul H]

I was mistaken. It is $187/oz.

[estnet]

thanks I'll call them - my guess is the price might vary depending on so many factors :)

[bbulkow]

Village Pub has fresh truffles in stock and will add to any dish. They have a pasta special that is made for truffles. I know you were talking about buying the truffles themselves, but thought I should add.

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Village Pub
2967 Woodside Rd., Woodside, CA 94062

[estnet]

any idea what they are charging (was at The Dining Room this week $13/gm). Have you had a meal at Village recently? what do you recommend?

[bbulkow]

I didn't ask the price; should have.

[stanbee]

call Draeger's. Used to buy them there around Thanksgiving.