Truffle season is upon us, and Hot Dinners decided to celebrate that in blowout fashion by heading to Daphne's in South Kensington. Head Chef Mike Brown always puts on a traditional truffle menu with old favourites such as truffle risotto, but this year he's pushed the boat out with a truffle tasting menu combined with some rather fantastic wines.
As you might expect, given the rarified price of truffles and the fact that Daphne's isn't what you might call your common London eaterie, there is a hefty price attached to this lavish gastronimic feast. It's £250. And yes that is expensive. But is it worth it? Well everyone at our table threw good manners to the wind and licked the plate after the pasta course (Artichoke and buffalo ricotta tortelloni with shaved truffle). And the wines were amazing - particularly the Grillo ‘Erice’, Cantina Ericina from Sicily which was paired with the carpaccio of kingfish with langoustine and truffle dressing.
The truffle tasting menu is now available and consists of the following:
Carpaccio of Kingfish with Langoustine & Truffle Dressing
With a glass of Grillo ‘Erice’, Cantina Ericina, Sicily 2010
Artichoke & Buffalo Ricotta Tortelloni, Shaved Truffle
With a glass of Cinque Terre Bianco, Giuliani e Pasini, Liguria 2012
Fillet of Beef with Garlic Spinach, Truffled Polenta
With a glass of Nebbiolo, Monferrato Rosso ‘Scajeta’, Rugra, Piemonte 2007
Aged Pecorino Sardo, Truffled Honey
With a glass of Vin Santo, Fattoria Montellori, Tuscany 2006
Amedei Chocolate Truffle and Dulce de Leche Bombe
With a glass of Barolo Chinato, Marcarini, Piemonte NV Il
Gran Finale cocktail
ZACAPA, truffle oil & grapefruit zest, garnished with truffle shaving
To enjoy the menu, you have to book 48 hours in advance. Call Daphne's on 020 7589 4257 to make a reservation.
Hot Dinners were invited to eat at Daphne's
