Truffles have taken the city by storm, with a host of restaurants featuring the delectable treat.
The precious fungus that’s rooted out of the ground by pigs, that smells like socks, and that lends a funky, subtle flavor to dishes. White truffles, usually from Italy, are the most coveted, with black ones (usually French – “The Black Gold of the Perigord”) in second place, and the gray variety taking bronze.
For the greatest selection make sure you head straight to Dixieland (14/2 Kyrylo-Mefodiyivska, 236-8228). They have a special truffle menu, including 12 dishes featuring black, white and gray truffles. Try the carpaccio of black truffles with asparagus under white truffle sauce (Hr 430). Other dishes include escargot under cream sauce with Perigord truffles (Hr 74); truffle fettuccini with petals of gray truffles under a sauce with goose liver (Hr 88); and a parfait of duck liver with truffles and croutons (Hr 77).
Also try Le Grand Cafe (4 Muzeyny Prov., 228-7208), where all the diplomats eat. Make sure to check out the truffle chicken, which comes with sauteed foie gras, and is served with a nutmeg sauce and an apple compote (Hr 138). It’s available only until the end of the year.
At Egoist (44 Moskovska, 290-2222) try either goose liver pate with truffles (Hr 97) or a consomme of poultry with truffles (Hr 45).
The staunchest mycophiles should go to Marche (13 Chervonoarmiyska, 451-4050). Their goose liver pate with truffle flakes (Hr 150) should hit the spot. Order it ahead of time, however, or you’re out of luck.
‘Favorites’: Simple Classics at Golden Gate Pub
It is a pretty simple special, with a nice surprise at the end: Right now at Golden Gate Irish Pub (40/2 Volodymyrska, 235-5188) order their “Favorites” menu combination and, upon paying with your Myrovaya Karta card, you’ll receive not only a discount on the meal (which already saves you Hr 10 when ordered together), but also get a voucher for a free entree at one of the many other Myrovaya Karta group restaurants.
The “Favorites” menu combo starts with a massive Greek salad (but topped with chopped green onions – they should stop that), virtually a meal in itself, followed by a portion of “Irish” sirloin that’s tender, aged to perfection and served with your choice of five sauces, among them mustard, pepper and Gorgonzola. It’s an incredibly filling meal.
Among the surprise entrees awaiting anyone dining on the “Favorites” are couscous with herbed lamb from Marrakesh and the almond foie gras from L’amour. Redeem your voucher for the free entree within two weeks of the date printed on the card. No take-out orders.
The “Favorites” menu continues until further notice.
