Where to eat truffles in London
Did you know that white truffles cannot be cultivated? They're only found in the wild by specially trained pigs between October and early December, mostly in Piedmont. No wonder they're known as 'white diamonds'.
As such, they are of course strikingly expensive, but the taste is like nothing else. For white truffle virgins, think earthy and pungent with sensual, almost musky aroma. Many even claim they have aphrodisiacal qualities. Black truffles have a deeper, more bosky taste and make better partners to more boldly flavoured dishes.
We've scouted out some of the best restaurants and most creative ways to enjoy truffles black and white this season.
Progressive Italian chef Gonzalo Luzarrago was brought up eating truffles so fully embraces their annual season. He's worked with Alain Ducasse too whose restaurant menus are liberally nuanced with truffles. And, what's more, his uncle Stefano goes truffle hunting with his two truffle hounds each day and sends his findings to Rigo.
The all truffle menu includes a Fontina cheese truffle sandwich appetiser, seasonal white polenta with confit duck egg and truffle, and chestnut taglioni with truffle.
For the truly and utterly decadent, there's the option of up truffling to all white truffles.
Gastronomic truffle dinner £88 plus £52 for wine pairing, with additional white truffle shavings priced according to weight
