Alas, the end of the year is nearing, and aside from the nice temperature drop, and festivities ahead, we’re excited about the ripe season for the earth’s most decadent white truffles. Chefs around the world take advantage of its rarity and its current seasonality to craft unique dishes and menus to honour this special ingredient. With the season upon us, we scavenge the city to find the most flavourful and aromatic white truffles dishes to try.
à nu retrouvez-vous
The recently opened Japanese French fine dining restaurant is known for its everchanging menu. Every visit is new, exciting, and most importantly, fresh. Using only the finest seasonal ingredients sourced from Japan and across the globe, prepared and cooked with French techniques, the restaurant is a popular choice for those looking for a unique experience. At this time of year, à nu’s debuts a white truffle special menu designed to showcase the ingredient “just as it is”. The eight-course dinner features three alba white truffle dishes including the aligot with tome fraiche and Yatsugatake egg yolk, homemade pasta with a generous shaving, and the Japanese strawberry as dessert. For an additional cost, wine pairing is also available to complement the meal.
à nu retrouvez-vous, Shop OTE 402, Ocean Terminal, Harbour City, Tsim Sha Tsui | +852 2770 6222
Divino
Divino knows what you want, and you know what you want. Their “no menu, no limitations, and no rules” approach is exactly what it sounds like. Patrons are welcome to order whatever they please from the menu, and finish it with any amount of truffles they wish. Our favourite is also the most popular pairing, 36 Degree Onsen Egg atop Castlelmagno Cheese Fondue, with crushed Piedmont hazelnuts and petals of Alba truffles. Chef recommendations are available to guide you through the menu, but adventurous experimentation is encouraged.
Divino, 73 Wyndham Street, Central;+852 2167 8883
Gia Trattoria Italiana
Find a true Italian experience with Gia’s five new specials celebrating white truffles. Often, what appears to be the simplest dish is the most difficult to master, just like the fluffy scrambled eggs or pan-fried eggs, both with a lavish spread of truffles. Other classics such as the Tagliolino with Butter and the perfectly cooked Risotto with Parmesan Cheese are also a huge hit. Additional truffle shavings are available for enthusiasts.
Gia Trattoria Italiana,1/F, Fleet Arcade, Fenwick Pier, 1 Lung King St, Wan Chai; +852 2511 8081
Giando Italian Restaurant
At Giando, white truffles take centerstage as the menu is minimalistic in the sense that it shadows the hero ingredient just enough without stealing the spotlight. The humble egg is the perfect partner to bring out the distinct aromas of the seasonal fungi: Organic Scrambled Eggs with Parmigiana Fondue, Slow-cooked Italian Egg with Creamed Potatoes, Pan Fried Eggs, and Homemade Tagliolini in Chicken Broth all accompany the star of the show.
Giando Italian Restaurant, G/F, Tower 1, Starcrest, 9 Star Street, Wan Chai;+852 2511 8912
Nicholini’s
Truly designed for die-hard truffle fans, the Italian kitchen at Nicholini’s of Conrad Hong Kong have masterminded an elaborate menu with four, five, six-course meals and a-la-carte options available. The Lobster with Mediterranean radish is accompanied by Chef Riccardo Catarsi’s native Caccuiucco stew, and topped with a generous helping of shaved truffles as it’s served. Equally indulgent is the Tortellini with oxtail, porcini and red wine sauce which is a burst of harmonising flavours and brings out the truffle aromas in every bite. End the meal with a sensational white chocolate parfait that has a pleasant surprise of umami and sweetness.
Nicholini’s, Level 8, Conrad Hong Kong, Pacific Place, 88 Queensway;+852 2822 8801
ON Dining Kitchen & Lounge
When homey traditional fare doesn’t quite hit the spot, step it up a notch with fine dining restaurant ON Dining. Don’t bother struggling with the menu as a degustation white truffle set menu is your best choice, though a la carte options are available. With 30 grams of the luscious mushroom spread across five spectacular dishes, it is a guaranteed truffle fix. The meal starts with Scallops Carpaccio, Egg Ravioli with Girolles Mushrooms, Wild Pheasant Consommé with Foie Gras Ravioli, followed by the wildly praised entrée, the Japanese Chicken Breast Tagliolini served in Lobster Bisque Sauce — all dishes blanketed under sheets of fragrant shavings.
ON Dining Kitchen & Lounge, 29/Floor, 18 On Lan St, Central; +852 2174 8100
Rustico
Hidden away on the “dark side” is the Spanish taverna, Rustico, headed by chef Carlos Salvador Asensio. Here, truffles are used to complement traditional Spanish recipes, including favourites like the Creamy Forest Mushroom Bomba Rice, and Open Tortilla with Confit Shallots, Asparagus and Pancetta. Diners are also welcome to pile on as much of truffles as their hearts and stomachs desire with add ons charged by the gram.
Rustico, G01, D2 Place One, 9 Cheung Yee Street, Lai Chi Kok;+852 2743 4511
TOWN by Chef Bryan Nagao
The newest tasting menu dedicated to the elusive winter truffle of Piedmont by Chef Nagao is not to be missed. The fan favourite is the Tagliolini with Alba Truffles — a simple wholesome dish made with homemade pasta which doesn’t compete with the fragrant fresh shavings of truffle. An alternative to those fearful of the carb intake the holidays bestow, the Challanas Chicken “Black Leg” Satoimo is a perfect choice that uses organic French poultry and is distinct in flavour yet balanced with aromatic truffles. Those seeking for a more flavour-intense experience, truffle supplements are also available to add for both dishes.
TOWN by BryanNagao, Cubus, 10/F, Hoi Ping Road, Causeway Bay;+852 2568 8708
To Lighten Things Up
Osteria Marzia
Though not truffles, but another short-lived ingredient only available in autumn, and cousin to the Alba white truffles is the porcini. The coastal Italian restaurant Osteria Marzia celebrates the season with a seasonal menu with a heavy focus on blending the nuttiness of the fungi with the freshness of the ocean. The most memorable of its four-course dinner include the Tiger Prawn Ravioli served with Sorrento Lemon Zest, Chopped Porcini Ragout and Scallops, and the unusual yet beautifully plated Sea Bream in Porcini Crust.
Osteria Marzia, 41 Fleming Road, Wan Chai; +852 3607 22
The post Where To Satisfy Your Truffle Cravings This Season appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.