White truffle season has finally arrived after a delay in the harvest thanks to weather issues in Italy. And as a result of that weather delay, the white truffle supply is somewhat limited this year -- so the truffles that are already Italy's most expensive (costing upwards of $350 an ounce) are more expensive still this year.
But that doesn't mean you can't indulge in a little luxury if you hit the right places. The white truffle tagliatelle at Da Marco is one of Robb Walsh's favorite dishes in Houston, although you'll pay dearly for it. A bowl of white truffle pasta (or risotto) costs $95 right now (and comes with a cup of white truffle gelato for a truly decadent dessert).
Meanwhile at Ristorante Cavour, chef Renato De Pirro has a full menu of white truffle dishes for the season. De Pirro's dishes run the gamut from a breakfast to dessert: There's a white truffle "Benedict," which features a poached egg over a butter crouton for $45, and a white chocolate mousse with truffle honey and white truffle for $39. An autumnal dish of truffle-topped gnocchi all'Ossolana with a chestnut, pumpkin, ricotta and wild mushroom ragu is $59, and De Pirro's own risotto with white truffles is only $69.
Ristorante Cavour is also offering two full truffle-tasting menus for those who want something truly extravagant: The White Truffle Sensation Menu costs $175 (or $225 with wine pairing) and features three courses, while the White Truffle Indulge Menu is $225 for four courses or $299 with wine pairings.
In other multi-course dinner news, The Hay Merchant is hosting its first beer dinner on Sunday, November 11, along with San Francisco brewer Shmaltz. Hay Merchant owner Kevin Floyd and Shmaltz owner Jeremy Cowan will be on hand to answer questions and discuss Shmaltz beers throughout a five-course meal prepared by chef Antoine Ware.
Beers for the evening include cask-conditioned He'Brew Origin Pomegranate Ale, Shmaltz/Terrapin/SBS Reunion 2012, Coney Island Barrel-Aged Human Blockhead, Coney Island Freaktoberfest and He'Brew Jewbelation Sweet 16 Anniversary Ale (which, at 16 percent ABV, is not for the faint of heart). There are 32 seats available at $65 each. To save your spot, call 713-528-9805.
The French gave us the Statue of Liberty, so why not let them in on another vital piece of Americana? French creperie Sweet Paris is celebrating Thanksgiving all month by offering a special Mayflower Turkey crepe through November 30. The crepe is filled with all of Thanksgiving dinner's goodness: roast turkey, stuffing, cranberry chutney and turkey gravy.
And in the spirit of Thanksgiving, you can give back every single time you eat at Sweet Paris. Thanks to its Eat Here, Feed There™ program, the Rice Village creperie donates 25 cents of each crepe sold to the United Nations World Food Program. That's not just during November, however -- Sweet Paris donates all year long.
The very first RA Sushi opened in Scottsdale, Arizona in 1997. Fifteen years later, the sushi chain has restaurants all over the United States - including two here in Houston. In celebration of its 15th anniversary, both RA Sushi spots here will be throwing a party on Thursday, November 15 from 7 p.m. to midnight.
Honoring its 1990s roots, RA Sushi will be offering food and $5 drink specials all night long, such as The Usual Suspects (Jack and Cola), Teen Spirit, Baywatch Punch and the Vanilla Ice Martini. And check out RA's selection of '90s-inspired sushi, including the Fresh Prince Roll ($7), Kramer Roll ($8), Show Me the Money Roll ($9), and the "RA"dical Roll ($10).
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