A meal with truffles
 

On my first trip to Paris, I had a few items on my 'foods to try' list. I was able to try almost everything I had hoped to, except for black truffles. It just never appeared on the menus where we ate. This second trip, I need to be more proactive, and seek them out.
Does anyone have any particular places in mind that truffles were present on or in a dish? We won't be going to michelin star restos, but to more casual bistros etc.
I know that adding truffles to anything will add to the price of a dish, but any specific
places will be of help-even if it's only in the starter or entre.

And beware that truffles from Italy and China are at times passed off as truffles - French truffles from the Perigord is what you want I think.

THE place for black truffles is La Truffe Noire in Neuilly, a suburb.

But you can probably also get them at many places in Paris like Le Petit Sudouest, Le Relais Gascon, any restaurant specializing in the cuisine of the southwest. Keep in mind that they are only in season in winter, really, though that shouldn't preclude restaurants having a supply of them at other times.

Or this one..

www.la-truffiere.fr/index.php

Michel, that's one of my favorite restaurants in Paris. Interestingly enough, I've never had truffles there! I'm too che...frugal.

But I recommend it whole-heartedly to the OP.

>>>And beware that truffles from Italy and China are at times passed off as truffles<<<

PalenQ - Though I'm ignorant about truffles from China, you're saying that Itallian varieties are somehow inauthentic, or not REALLY truffles? I've neverheard this, can you explain further?

naw I should have said that French and Italian truffles together - Chinese truffles are being imported into both France and Italy and at times sold off as local delicacies - well I get this from a 60 Minutes video that says 'in France you may be eating Chinese truffles"

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/0...n_1193955.html

phillyboy - thanx for pointing out my mistake - pigs in Italy dig em out just like in France.

Hi R,

>We won't be going to michelin star restos, but to more casual bistros etc.

and you want truffles?

Have you checked the price of French Black truffles?

((I))

I've lived in Paris since the 1970's and have never bothered looking for truffles. Are you sure they are worth the effort?

One of the single best dishes I had last year was a gnocchi with Iberico ham and black truffle at Kei. The truffle was a 10 euro supplement. I don't think they'll have it out of season there and in any case, it's hard to say if they'll have it any particular day since it's a changing, no choice menu. Truffles are best with simple foods like pasta, eggs, etc. I think it's also fairly subjective as I know people who can't stand the smell or taste of them. I've also had "truffle" dishes where you couldn't detect the truffle at all which would've left me wondering what the big deal was.

I'm not sure about the taste, but I'm sure of the effort.
I hadn't tasted foie gras until Paris, and I'm in love with it. So, I have to satisfy my curiosity, even if it's only a taste.

You may want to check out La Maison de la Truffe...it is a store that sells truffle related products but also serves food with truffles (omelets, salads, desserts). I've never been but heard the prices are not too bad considering the high price of truffles.

http://www.maison-de-la-truffe.com/