Whether it’s pouring with rain or freezing, autumn continues to shuffle along, but at least this time of year means you can truffle along, too – and we always recommend gastronomic indulgence as a cure for seasonal blues. Truffle, that most deliciously pretentious of ingredients, is having its on-season right now. Allow us to direct you to the tastiest places to sniff them out.
Bocca di Lupo, Soho
What: If BYOB is a student favourite, BYOT is the Waitrose of restaurant acronyms: Jacob Kenedy’s Bocca di Lupo is inviting guests to bring their own truffles at no extra cost, which are cleaned up by the staff, then served with a spread specifically tailored for truffles – book Bocca di Lupo now
Where: Bocca di Lupo, 12 Archer Street W1D 7BB
Corrigan’s, Mayfair
What: On 20 November, Corrigan’s is hosting a dedicated a truffle festival feast in its Lindsay private dining room. Guests will enjoy a six-course tasting menu, including terrine of duck liver with truffle-braised celery, black truffle and Granny Smith apple, and white truffle risotto with caramelised pears – book Corrigan’s now
Where: 28 Upper Grosvenor Street, W1K 7EH
E&O, Notting Hill
What: Head to Notting Hill for an Asian-twist on your truffle tasting. E&O is serving up this tasty dish of sea bass sashimi, with a yuzu and truffle dressing – book E&O now
Where: 14 Blenheim Crescent, W11 1NN
45 Jermyn St, St James's
What: 45 Jermyn St is celebrating the season with four special additions to its menu. Tempting white truffle dishes to tuck into include a toasted cheese sandwich, tagliatelle with 24-month parmesan, and a Champagne-infused risotto (it doesn’t get much fancier than that) – book 45 Jermyn St now
Where: 45 Jermyn Street, SW1 6DN
Hélène Darroze at The Connaught, Mayfair
What: Truffles here are sourced by truffle hunter Zak Frost, who travels to Tuscany and Emilia Romagna in Italy to bring back the good stuff. Hélène Darroze and her team then add the truffle to dishes, careful to keep their creations simple in order not to blur the flavour. Catch the dishes on the four-course white truffle menu – book Hélène Darroze at The Connaught now
Where: The Connaught Hotel, Carlos Place, W1K 2AL
OXO Tower Brasserie, South Bank
What: If you like to enjoy your truffles with a view (a niche pursuit, but we’re not judging), then head to the OXO Tower Brasserie. On its all-day dining menu, you’ll find this delicious looking dish of braised ox cheek ragout served with truffle mac 'n' cheese – book OXO Tower Brasserie now
Where: Oxo Tower Wharf, Barge House Street, SE1 9PH
Rigo, Fulham
What: Rigo is celebrating the season with a truffle tasting menu. Cooking with his uncle’s personally foraged truffles from Piedmont in Italy, executive chef Gonzalo has created a four-course tasting menu, featuring the likes of walnut shells with fontina and black truffle, and cream of celery with leek, black truffle and mini French toast – book Rigo now
Where: 227 New King’s Road, SW6 4RD
If you’re a true Italophile, peruse our pick of the best Italian restaurants in London.
This article was published 15 November 2017