mdbasile

Looks like there has been some good rains this May - does that bode well for November truffles like Mario told me????

Ok - so I bought a truffle slicer - typical wook handle serated blade - adjustable thinkness. Here is my problem... the truffles seem to not slice will - they break apart on me - if I use a mandolin or good vegatable peeler I do not have that problem. The truffles are not dry - so that is not the issue.... My question - could it be the blade thickness? Are all created equal? Is there a brand best recomended? Thank you for your help. Mark

Thanks all for the help. We went on our hunt with Mario(man) and Rocky(dog) on Monday. Nicola and Chris @ La Villa arraned the "hunt." First of all La Villa is a great place and Nicola was extreemly helpful - they have a great spot and wonderful hotel near Mombaruzzo....Anyway - so off we go to the truffle field and basically walk around while the dog does all the work. We hadf very little luck - just finding a small white one, but it was a fun experience and Mario is a very easy going guy. I would recomend going with him for sure. He gave us the little one we found. Luckily the day prior had been better and Mario sold us a couple of nice ones @ in the ground prices. For those who have been pheasant hunting @ a private hunting club -- it is bascially the same conditions without the guns and pheasants.... I Caffi was fantastic - thank you for that.... had to use my French cause no english spoken....thanks again all - hopefull next year will bring more May rains and bigger crop.

Ok - thanks. Are the Asti festivals on the weekends only?

Sweet!! Can't wait and thanks for the tips!!! Will I need to make reservations @ I Caffi, and are they open sun or mon?

That is encouraging thank you. We are "hunting" the week of Nov 18 so I will be hoping for a bit of rain this week.... Anyway thanks for the update!!

Are things looking any better with the rain for the harvest??

Nice - very nice - just hope it is nice in Nov - I have had both fog and clear beauty!!!

Mark, I just have a vacation house here in Zanco. Must be 40 minutes to Mombaruzzo from here. What are you doing way down there? ← Oops sorry Ed.... just assumed.... Closer to Alba... must be the reason -- we are driving in from Nice(where I have a place) - with a couple of buddies - truffles and wine trip!! also the hotel we are staying at came highly recomended....

Thanks Tim -- really great to hear such a nice report!!

Hi Mark, Da Maria in my village Zanco will be open both nights. If anyone will have fresh truffles... they will. The dog kennels are kept right in front of the restaurant and you will be hard pressed to find better food for the money! Last year Georgio showed me a local truffle the size of a baseball. Do you know how rare that is???? A restaurant owner drove all the way from Rome to buy it. Seems funny to me that people go to Alba for truffles! My place is just down the street, stop by for a grappa. ← How far a drive is it to Zanco? Is your restaurant open also? Thanks, Mark

Ed - we are going to be at La Villa in MOMBARUZZO - arriving on Sunday and leaving Tues morning mid november - what would you recomend - I know alot of places are closed sun/mon. Obviously Tartufo is paramount... Also not so sure about a hunt - the owners @ La Villa were very kind and said they would help us source some good product - which is fine with me. Thanks, Mark

Thanks all .... and yes I will be bringing them home within a day or two....

I am looking for a place where I can mail order reindeer - in the US -- just tried to bring some in from Finland and got it take by the agriculture departement.

My understanding is that White Truffle's are allowed to be brought into the US - can someone point me to where it is in writing somewhere, so when I arrive and get and unfamiliar agent - I can show them the info.... Thank you.

Ok great info -- I'll contact them. Thank you.

Not sure yet - Probably Alba or Asti, but I am open to suggestions!! I have been to Monteforte and Alba before.

A couple of us are heading to Piedmonte in November and we are looking to do some truffle hunting. Anyone know of a guide we can hire? Any assistance is appreciated. Best Regards, Mark

Many of you have been raving about a restaurant in Menton - could you refresh my memory of the name?? Thank you. BTW - had an excellent meal at La Reserve de Nice (Jouni) last night - really great spot!!

Keisuke Any reports??

That is very said. Had one of the best dishes in my life there.... It was a risotto "cake" topped with foie gras and langustines and a bit of shaved black truffle... sauce maderia... That was like 10 years ago - and I still remember it!!!!

Ok here is the report: First off, the view is fantastic and at one point when a Ferry was docking in the harbor the owner turned off the lights and we all cheered. This place has a very fun atmosphere - lighter than the usualy temple of Haute cuisine... The food is superb and the prices are not bad. Our 90 euro degustation menu: Amuze Bouche (can't remember) Rissotto of morels and peas - superb fresh peas - Excellent Lagustines - grilled with a light salad -- Perfect Veal Sweetbreads and Asparagus - WOW so tender and full of flavor Baby lamb rib chops and boneless loin - light veal reduction - Superb!! Chocalate soup - very good Chocolate torte - ok 1999 Chateau Rayas 130 euro All in all a fabulous meal and we will be back!!!

Had a very nice dinner at the Jouni/La Reserve - will post a full report... however, I would recomend a meal there.

Any Update on Jouni/La Reserve? We'll be going to our place in a couple of weeks and thought we'd try it for dinner

I have a storage question with all this stuff. How long can I store all this stuff in the food save packs?