It's not the White Lotus. It's the White Truffle.
The most exquisite (and expensive) White Truffle dinner in New York City is happening next week (and it is discounted for Strong Buzz annual subscribers).
Il Gradino is one of those dreamy Italian restaurants known for its custom of serving customers “a piacere,” or at your pleasure. This means if you come in for dinner craving an Italian dish that’s not on the menu or among the plethora of daily specials, you can ask for it, and the kitchen will graciously accommodate. Indeed, the servers even encourage people to do so by finishing their specials recitation with “… or anything you want. Prego!” It’s that sort of place.
They also do an annual truffle dinner which is among the most indulgent and decadent (and expensive) experiences in Piedmont white truffle consumption. So if you’re looking for an absolutely extravagant way to celebrate the holidays and the end of 2022, this event is for you!
From December 24th through December 31st, Il Gradino is presenting its annual Truffleicious Dinner, showcasing Italy’s precious white truffles from Piedmont (Italy’s most expensive export) in five courses, including dessert. Strong Buzz annual subscribers get 20% off the extravagant $3000 per person meal.
Now, given the cost, this dinner is certainly not for everyone (certainly not me), but if you love truffles and you’ve (a) come into a small fortune, (b) have a trust fund, (c) have one of those jobs that actually pays extraordinarily well, or (d) have a special Truffle Dinner savings account, then this is for you!
Dinner begins with a truffle cocktail, followed by five Italian classic dishes considered among the best companions to the October-through-December-only seasonal ingredient.
The dinner will be accompanied by two of Italy’s most iconic wines, including a bottle of Dal Forno Romano Amarone Della Valpolicella 2015 (one bottle per guest, which you can take home with you if you don’t finish it at the restaurant). Truffleicious Dinner diners will cap off their one-of-a-kind “white gold” fragrant fungi -focused experience with a shot of Il Gradino owner Diego Argudo’s homemade limoncello.
Here’s a more detailed snapshot of the menu planned:
Dinner begins with either a White Truffle Martini, vodka, vermouth white truffle oil , white truffle shavings or a Truffle Sour, vodka, amaro, white truffle oil, lemon, sugar, egg white, white truffle garnish. Franciacorta, Italy’s most refined bubbly made by the Champenoise method (Prosecco is not) will be poured with the first course, a white truffle laden Stracciatella, with house-steeped stock, Parmigiano Reggiano, and eggs. The soup will be followed by Carpaccio di Fillet Mignon, thinly sliced raw filet mignon, artichokes, arugula, shaved Parmesan and white truffles, for which the bottle of Amarone will have been decanted.
House made Veal Ravioli or Pappardelle, both crowned with white truffle, will be the pasta course, accompanied by the Amarone and / or the Franciacorta. Then you choose between house-butchered Rack of Veal Chop with truffle sauce and white truffle shavings, or a Sea Salt Roasted & White Truffle Branzino, glossed with white truffle oil, and shaved white truffle garnish, complemented by the Amarone. For dessert, a Truffled Sundae with vanilla gelato, house made Italian chocolate sauce, white truffle shavings with more Franciacorta. Owner Diego Argudo’s post-prandial limoncello caps everything off.
Il Gradino’s four-course Trufflicious Dinner will be available, as well as the restaurant’s regular menu, from Dec. 24 through Dec. 31 from 5 to 11 p.m. for $3000 per person, including tax and gratuity. For reservations for the Trufflicious Dinner, call 646-649-3289 and state your intention to indulge. Annual subscribers can reserve with 20% off by following the directions below!
Il Gradino is located at 808 Lexington Ave., between 62nd and 63rd Streets.
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