In the food world, there are few things that scream luxury as much as a lump of fungus dug out of the ground by a pig.
The white truffle is just that, and one of the most prized (and expensive) cooking ingredients on the planet.
It cannot be cultivated, which makes it even rarer than its cousin, the black truffle. Instead, it can largely be found only in the Italian region of Piedmont for two months of the year – and you’ll need a pig with a finely tuned snout to sniff one out.
Those two months kick off in October, which means London restaurants are currently celebrating the return of the fragrant foodstuff.
From truffle toasties to drinkable versions of the delicacy, here’s where to get totally truffled in London.
45 Jermyn St.
In St James’s, truffle season marks the return of London’s most ostentatious sandwich: the white truffle toastie. At 45 Jermyn St., slices of homemade sourdough are coated in truffled butter, toasted, and served stuffed with melted raclette. To top it off, Northern Italian white truffle is grated on top, and done so freshly at the table. This level of sarnie hedonism comes at a price – £26.50 to be precise. If your pockets are deep and you just can’t get enough, there’s scope to follow it up with a beautiful truffle tagliatelle and a truffle malt custard too.
45 Jermyn Street, SW1Y 6JD, 45jermynst.com
Orrery
At French restaurant Orrery, Chef Igor Tymchyshyn has cooked up a five course celebration of the delicacy. All savoury dishes on the special menu here will be laced with white truffle, including a roasted cauliflower floret with celeriac and a potato raviolo with butter emulsion. Truffles can also be ordered by weight to add to dishes, with Tymchyshyn offering pairing advice for the perfect combination.
55 Marylebone High Street, W1U 5RB, orrery-restaurant.co.uk
The Connaught
At two Michelin-starred restaurant Helene Darroze at the Connaught, you’ll find truffle in both savoury and sweet forms. Darroze is plating up both an Ardèche fresh chestnut gnocchi and a steam sponge cake with marscapone and white truffle cream. Over at Jean-Georges at the Connaught, tuck into the famed truffle pizza, a year-round favourite made with black truffles and fontina cheese, which will set you back a spectacular £35.
Carlos Place, W1K 2AL, the-connaught.co.uk
Quo Vadis
Soho stalwart Quo Vadis are also getting in on the truffle act. They’ll be offering white alba truffles at cost price by the gram, while chef Jeremy Lee’s kitchen will be serving up a selection of truffle-ready dishes including baked salsify, scrambled eggs and fresh tajarin pasta. To accompany it all, the wine list will be heading back to the roots of Alba truffles, with a selection of wines from the Piedmont region on offer. Quo Vadis will be truffling along all through October and November, but be sure to let them know you want truffles when you book your table.
26-29 Dean Street, W1D 3LL, quovadissoho.co.uk
Quaglino’s
If eating your truffles isn’t enough, Quaglino’s wants you to drink them too. This upmarket eatery – thought to be a favourite of Her Majesty – is celebrating truffle season with an extravagantly concocted cocktail featuring the fungal delicacy. The Zero Gravity will team Don Julio tequila with Palo Cortado sherry, dandelion, Amer Picon liqueur and a drizzle of white truffle honey.
16 Bury Street, SW1Y 6AJ, quaglinos-restaurant.co.uk
Daphne’s
South Kensington Italian Daphne’s loves a truffle, and has done for pretty much all of its 50 year history. This year, the season will be marked by a special selection of white truffle-laden dishes, including a beef carpaccio (a Daphne’s favourite) and a Piemontese style veal tartare. For those craving purist white truffle joy, try the risotto or tagliatelle – large portions of which will set you back £70.
112 Draycott Avenue, SW3 3AE, daphnes-restaurant.co.uk
Gelupo
Gelato specialists Gelupo are embracing the truffle season in its entirety, serving truffles in its much-lauded ice cream and even on their own. Alba truffle gelato can be bought every Saturday from 2pm onwards, while stocks last, but truffle lovers can also buy them whole at the store itself. Gelupo are so keen that you get your truffle fix, they’ll even deliver them to your home. Over at sister restaurant Bocca di Lupo, you’ll also be able to Bring Your Own Truffle and enjoy them over a menu of specially selected dishes.
7 Archer Street, W1D 7AU, gelupo.com
