More than 30 years ago in Tasmania, the first truffle farm was set up in Australia – it would take six years to see the first tuber and despite an asking price of $2500 a kilogram, it was hardly a get-rich-quick scheme.
The truffle is the fruiting body of a fungus that forms on the roots of trees in natural woodland – there are many varieties, including Australian native truffles – while most are edible, not all are particularly flavoursome.
As we enter Truffle Season 2023, here are six restaurants to visit for the ultimate truffle experience:
Experience the ultimate forage and feast truffle experience every Saturday in July and August at Sisters Rock Restaurant and Borrodell Estate winery on Lake Canobolas Road in Orange. Join truffle dogs Buddy and Ivy to hunt for truffles, learn how they grow and how the dogs find them, along with warm mulled cider after the hunt and a three-course truffle lunch.
Start with an entrée of fish pot pie, dill and black truffle salad, followed by smoked duck breast, Dupuy lentils, baby beetroot, Jerusalem artichoke purée and shaved black truffles; finish indulgently with warm cardamom and almond milk cake, brandied cherries, pecan praline and double cream. To book, or for more info click here.
Residing on the corner of Centre Road in Melbourne's suburb of Bentleigh is modern wine bar, Wolfe & Molone. Find an ambient dining space which has been designed around an open-air kitchen and bar, styled with potted greenery cascading from above, chocolate brown furnishings and Edison bulb lighting, offering the neighbourhood a stylish locale to meet for drinks and share-style bites.
Graze on bar snacks of smoked truffle ricotta with a charcoal lavash cone and mushroom crisps, paired with a glass of Chardonnay; before delving in to confit Maryland duck, smoked celeriac purée, celeriac chips, glace chestnuts and jus.
Experience the taste of fine dining in a relaxed atmosphere at Otis Dining Hall, an establishment popular among a crowd of suave Kingston locals. Set on Jardine Street, Otis offers an ambient escape from the day-to-day with a moody setting fitted out in earthy brown hues, restored timber floorboards and an elegantly decorated ceiling of ceramic roses, illuminated by twinkling chandeliers.
Don’t go past the Otis aged pepper steak, with silkwood pepper brandy jus, adding on truffle butter and shaved truffle, before bread and butter pudding, truffle Chantilly, truffle and brandy custard and Winter spices.
Redefining the Italian dining experience one memory at a time, head to Fedele’s Ristorante Italiano on Springvale Road in Glen Waverley for a modern approach to classic dining. Light, bright and breezy during the day, the vibe turns moody at night for an ideal romantic dining destination with your someone special; settle in and relax with a glass of vino and starters like Wagyu meatballs, scented with truffle oil, honey roasted carrots, parsnip, walnut and kale.
For the main, think duck breast, braised radicchio, water spinach, kohlrabi, swede and rhubarb relish and tamarind ginger sauce; desserts like cassava cake, caramelised coconut cream and dulce de leche are sure to entice sweet tooths.
Unique fusion dishes combining Chinese and Western cuisines await hungry Brisbane diners at Marco’s Hong Kong Kitchen on Trevally Crescent in Manly West. A warm and welcoming vibe of polished wood floors, vibrant artwork and accents sets the scene for memorable meals with family and friends as fairy lights twinkle overhead and tantalising aromas waft from the kitchen to whet guests’ appetites.
Start your culinary adventure with beef meatballs and black truffle, or chicken BBQ satay skewers and peanut sauce, then delve into roast duck with pickled plum sauce, steamed jasmine rice, vegetables and tofu.
Sofia’s Restaurant & Bar on Victoria Avenue brings a new level of sophistication and style to Broadbeach. Located on the ground floor of the Oasis Shopping Centre, dreamy tones and a stunning fit-out draw you in, with whitewashed walls, touches of wood and pops of colour from the bottles on the shelves, all transporting guests to long, serene Summers on the Italian Coast.
Twirl your fork around mafaldine ribbon pasta, truffle sauce and mascarpone, or linguine with prawns, fresh chilli and garlic, while carnivores opt for 6-hour slow-braised short rib, cauliflower and horseradish purée, red wine demi-glace and pickled cauliflower.
