Saturday, October 11, 2008

Can You Smell It?

This tennis ball-sized black truffle was brought to our table last night so we could smell it and decide if, for $15 extra dollars, we wanted it shaved over one of our courses. We decided to just go with the free whiff. It was our 9th wedding anniversary (and 19th year of cohabitation), and we dined at La Folie, one of San Francisco's top French restaurants. We had a great time, and a great meal, and Chef Roland Passot even shaved some of the truffle over our scallop appetizer as an anniversary present!

27 comments:

Anonymous said...

Congrats to you and Michele!

May your anniversary bring the happiest moments to enjoy together...memories to share forever~

Happy 9th Anniversary!

-D.W.

Connie T. said...

I don't think I would want to eat that. It looks like it has white mold on it.

Anonymous said...

Congratulations!!

Greg said...

15 dollars for for shavings of something I'd be afraid to step on?

I'd pass too.

Anonymous said...

Yummmmm, black truffle. Congrats to you and your beautiful wife on your Ninth Anniversary. I hope it was a wonderful meal, and may you have many more of both, special meals and anniversaries!

Anonymous said...

Happy Anniversary Chef John!

Anonymous said...

So why did the mushroom go to the party? Because he's a fun guy (fungi).

And why did he leave? Because there wasn't much room (mushroom).

Har har. :P

Pocheco said...

So homely, so delicious!

Chef John said...

Remember that song... Aw, me so homely, Aw, me so homely, Aw, me so homely, me luv you long time.

Anonymous said...

Wow. Reminds me of the scene in The Jerk when the waiter brings over the escargot and he freaks out.

If some waiter brought that thing in your picture over and told me to smell it... I think I would have gone into Steve Martin mode.

Happy Happy Happy Anniversary.

Scott - Boston.

Chef John said...

Thanks everyone for all the Happy Annv. wishes!

Scott, when they brought it over to our table to smell, there was a similar moment to a movie scene...except it was much more like Meg Ryan's cafeteria scene in Sleepless in Seattle!

Anonymous said...

Happy anniversary Chef John. May many more to comeand you enjoy all of them. You have taught many of us a lot. I think we all appreciate your time, and your FREE VIDEO BLOG...
Even though you didn't answer my email about the wine subsitutions? HAHAHAHHAA

Adam Schlozman said...

I just watched Andrew Zimmern eat black truffle in Paris on his show.

The way he described it, i thought it sounded pretty good, and so did the bacon and eggs ice cream.

Its weird though, how much people pay for a moldy fungus found by a pig.

Chef John said...

Thanks! but I answer all emails (or try) please resend.

Greg said...

PS - Happy Anniversary!

Anonymous said...

If you'v never eaten black truffle, how do you get an idea of how it taste? as i can imagine its very expensive,

Give us a hint john, How was it?

And Happy Anniversary!

//

Chef John said...

impossible to do... but it's really about the smell and taste simultaneously hitting your senses. It's the smell of the earth.

Anonymous said...

The good earth!

milkshake said...

I don't know if you have seen this free online wild mushroom cookbook, it has a fine chapter about truffles also.

http://www.mssf.org/cookbook/contents.html

Anonymous said...

To quote Chef John on a video:

"That reminds me, I need to call the plumber."

http://foodwishes.blogspot.com/2008/08/roasted-pork-tenderloin-with-fresh-plum.html

Chef E said...

I can even literally taste it! When a certain someone was in Italy last year, they befriended another chef and managed to slip some Albino truffles (at restaurant cost)into their US kitchen and was in heaven for about a week; till they were shaved over a wonderful meal cooked for that certain someones anniversary!

Raya Gancheva said...

Hello Chef John !

Recently something amazing happened (well..to me). There was a restorant convention in my city where I tried some really delicious stuff on a very low price and while I was walking I saw something that I never thought that I will ever see (or smell)- a black truffle. I was very surprised because where I live there aren't many imported things (we don't even have mac and cheese or pastry dough or baking soda, only baking powder- I've always wondered what the diffrence is). Anyway I was so happy that I decided to buy one. Again I was amazed that it was so cheap - about 3 dollars(2 leva in my country) for a ping-pong sized black truffle !
Now I want to make something special with it but I don't want to touch it until I am sure of what recipe to use and I decided that the only person I can trust with that is you Chef John :)
If it isn't a problem for you could you please offer me some kind of truffle recipe? It doesn't mater what kind and if you can't make a video I don't mind. But I would really like to get a recipe from you. I will wait of course. (I hope it won't go bad how long does a truffle last ^^ ??)

Sorry for the long comment and thank you for your attention !
Raya Gancheva

Chef John said...

Does it smell very strong and earthy? For that price I'm doubting its the real culinary variety of truffle, even at the source that price is very suspicious! Hopefully it is the real deal. Not sure how long they last since I've never had one around more than a few days.

The best ways to eat are NOT fancy recipes. Just shave into scrambled eggs, or risotto, or mashed potatoes, etc. the simpler the better.

coupland said...

My wife and I will be in SF this summer for our third anniversary. The place sounds so good I just made a reservation for the evening of our anniversary. Any other "can't-miss" places for two foodies to visit in San Francisco or outlying areas?

Chef John said...

Other favs, Sotto Mare, Hog & Rocks, Universal Cafe, Baretta. Enjoy!

coupland said...

Thanks for the great suggestions, really appreciate it!

Anonymous said...

Chef John,

We seemingly have a very similar palate. I would not have palated $15 either (not sure that is a word- but who cares). I wanted to thank you as your videos have rekindled my love for cooking and I have actually lost weight as i am very aware of what goes in my food now. Happy Anniversary. Would love to see a simple Shrimp Salad or Lobster Roll Recipe as Summer starts!!

David