Eating White Truffles On The Stage Of Teatro Sociale In Alba, Italy
A fine dining experience that every food and wine lover should try in Piemonte
Fall and Winter in the Piemonte region of Northern Italy means one thing in the enogastronomic world, and that is White Truffle season. The tartufo bianco is a highly coveted and revered product all over the world, and for a few months in the fall/winter seasons the regional pocket of land in which it is foraged comes alive in celebration of this elusive and luxurious fungi. The town of Alba, not far from the regional capital of Torino, hosts the annual White Truffle Festival, where visitors from far and wide descend on this picturesque town to sample local truffle focused delicacies such as oils, chocolates, pastas, or even just the prized truffle itself straight from the ground.
This year we went to the festival and attended one of the the very special dinners that takes places on the stage of the Teatro Sociale throughout the festival's run. Each year a selection of highly decorated and Michelin Star chefs from throughout Italy are invited to Alba during the festival to create and host dinners that highlight and celebrate the white truffle. Each dinner takes place directly on the stage of the historic theatre in the center of town, and features multiple courses and wine pairings that aim to complement the delicate and complex flavors of the white truffle, and highlight the other local flavors of the region.
Our dinner was hosted by chef Marco Ambrosino (pictured above) from the Michelin Guide recommended restaurant Sustanza in Napoli, and was comprised of 5 courses paired with several local wines including the obligatory moscato and nebbiolo. Each ingredient, flavor, and wine was thoughtfully chosen in consideration of the star of the show, the white truffle, and made for an unforgettable dining experience.
Some highlights from the meal included a dish of braised leeks with salted plums and miso as well as a delicate pasta dish served in a broth of hazelnut, anchovy, smoked bones and fermented bread. Both dishes were topped with a healthy serving of freshly shaved white truffle, shaved table side of course, by the expert wait staff.
As each course arrived, and as each glass of wine was poured, the back drop of the beautiful Teatro Sociale theater and the intoxicating aroma of white truffle served to enhance the feeling of luxury and whimsy. At each table sat a collection of well dressed people with smiles on their faces. Some were strangers, some were friends, but all were gathered in celebration of Piemonte and its seasonal offerings.
As the evening drew to a close, and the last glass of sweet msocato was finished, the diners said there goodbyes and stepped out onto the cobbled street of Alba as the brisk night enveloped the city. If you are thinking of traveling to Piemonte, we highly recommend visiting in October or November so you can attend the White Truffle Festival, and take part in one of these very special dinners. The travel experts at Isarti Travel can help you design the perfect food and wine trip to Italy, full of delicious experiences like this one and many others around the country.
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