Tartufi & Friends
Add: Via Borgognona 4E, Rome (also available in Milan and London)
Tel: +39 06 6794980
Website: tartufiandfriends.it
Hours: Mon-Sun 11am-11pm
Price: [main course with black truffle] €25-35; [main course with white truffle] €35-75
Visited: January 2016
Verdict: 2 words. Truffle. Heaven.
We were wandering around the Spanish Steps area when we came across this charming little restaurant that served exclusively truffle dishes. The name itself suggested their dedication to truffles (tartufi is Italian for truffles). It was 2 o’clock in the afternoon and we’d already had lunch, but we made sure to mark the spot and came back the next day.
The entire restaurant consisted of ten tables in all-four inside and six outside. Out of respect to the unforgiving wind of the Roman winter, we chose to sit inside.
Photo credit to tartufiandfriends.it
Il “Nostro” Tagliolino Cacio & Pepe con Tartufo Fresco The “Signature” Tagliolino Cacio & Pepe with Fresh Truffle (black truffle €30; white truffle €70)
Recommend: definitely
We were lucky enough to catch the end of the white truffle season. Our waiter said that another week and there would be no more white truffles until next winter. This dish celebrated the white truffle in a simple and elegant way. Fresh handmade tagliolino (a cousin of tagliatelle and the traditional pasta of choice for white truffle) with cacio e pepe (cheese and pepper, a quintessential Roman way of eating pasta) covered with a very generous shaving of Alba white truffle.
Tagliata di Controfiletto di Fassona, Funghi Porcini e Tartufo Fresco Chateubriand Steak with Porcini Mushrooms and Fresh Truffle (black truffle €32; white truffle €74)
Recommend: yes
Again, so generous with the truffle! The steak was cooked well, but nothing mind-blowing. But the truffle elevated the dish completely. The porcini mushrooms were quite lovely.
Gelato alle Mandorle con Scaglie di Cioccolato Fondente e Miele al Tartufo Bianco Almond Ice Cream with Dark Chocolate Flakes Topped with White Truffle Honey (€10)
Recommend: yes yes yes!
Sadly, no photo here because my phone battery died 😦 But this dessert was undoubtably the highlight of the meal! The almond ice cream itself was far from dazzling-I’ve had more almond-y ones at many gelaterias. But in this case, the lack of intensity of the almond ice cream helped showcase the white truffle honey, which was the star of this dessert. The pure fragrance of white truffle literally melted in my mouth, and I savored each mouthful before taking another. Life-affirming! This is not an experience you want to miss. Trust me.
Apart from their restaurant service, Tartufi & Friends also sells various truffle products-from truffle oil and truffle honey to dozens of truffle-infused condiments and dressings-both in store and on their website.
journeys of a gourmand 