Help, please, with truffles...
 

The Food Channel and gourmet recipes tout their superbness. But what do they taste like and why so special? Is it just because they're so rare that they cost so much? I'm serious about this, as we're wondering if it would be worth spending big bucks on an expensive dinner with truffles. Thanks. Bill

Truffles taste sort of like smoky earthy mushrooms...<BR><BR>They are so special because it is expensive to harvest- they now use trained dogs and they only get one truffle at a time-it's the size of a small plum --sort of have to get it from the dog before he eats it--<BR><BR>We went to a truffle farm and watched the dog in action in Burgundy 2 years ago.

Thanks to Andy. Can anyone recommend a restaurant in Tuscany or Umbria that left you with a wonderful memory of a truffle dish? Bill

Truffles are a specialty of Piedmont region. The city known for its truffles is Alba. They also have a truffle fair each fall. You can get them in Tuscany too. Truffles are an acquired taste. I'd start out with a small truffle dish or some truffle oil before spending a fortune on a truffle meal. Eat them in season (fall).

Il Pozzo in Monterregioni. Monterregioni is a great little castle/village that you can wander before or after lunch (near Siena and San G)<BR><BR>www.ilpozzo.net<BR><BR>Great restaurant. We had a tortellini topped with shaved truffles (real slices , not the essence of truffles in the sauce like alot of places). One of my favorite meals in Italy. Great for lunch, make a reservation for outdoors.