A truffle here, a truffle there,
truffles simply everywhere!
September 2006
A celebration of the truffle at The Merrion, Dublin
in conjunction with Urbani Truffles
The truffle has always held a very special place in the heart of all true gourmands so the upcoming exclusive dinner at The Merrion on Tuesday, 14th November 2006, organised with the world's foremost truffle importer, Urbani Truffles, is a definite cause for celebration.
To some, truffles are deemed an aphrodisiac, to others, a sublime delicacy but to many, they are simply known as a "culinary diamond" with a monetary value to match.
To celebrate this gourmet "gem" and the truffle season, The Merrion's Executive Chef, Ed Cooney, who travelled to Italy last year on the search for the ultimate truffle, has teamed up with the pre-eminent truffle sourcer and processor, Italy's Urbani Family, to work on a unique menu designed to showcase this exclusive funghi.
The five course "Truffle Celebration" is priced at Euros 125 per person or Euros 395 to include dinner, accommodation, breakfast and VAT. The menu includes:
Truffled "Irish Coffee"
Truffle Jelly and Langoustine Cream
Artichoke Risotto with Black Truffle
Foie Gras and Truffle Ravioli with a Saffron Nage
Truffled Loin of Venison with Clonakility Black Pudding, Mousseline Potato, Truffle Jus and Baby Leeks
Cashel Blue Cheese with Truffle Honey and Crisp Bread
The evening starts off with a presentation by the Urbani Family and a cocktail reception followed by dinner at 20.00 in The Merrion's Cellar Restaurant.
Background on The Urbani Family
Urbani Truffles Ltd, founded by Paolo Urbani in 1850, now controls around 60 per cent of the world truffle market. Their headquarters, now a multinational company with an annual turnover of at least USD40 million, is still situated near the tiny medieval village of Scheggino in the wild Valnerina Valley in southern Umbria, where the Urbani family has lived for centuries. Celebrity "trufflers" who have enjoyed the famous Urbani truffle include Madonna, Nicole Kidman, Silvio Berlusconi and Sting. Today, the Urbani Group is proudly and effectively directed by Paolo and Bruno Urbani, direct descendant brothers of the Urbani founders.
Four interesting facts about the truffle:
- As precious to the ancient Greeks and Romans, the great Roman scholar Pliny wrote in AD60, "Better to suffer a wheat famine than a shortage of truffles".
- The truffle is a homely little fungus but its also the world's most expensive delicacy: in the Umbrian hills, it's the object of hot pursuit, espionage, family feuds and fabulous fortune.
- Truffles are now so valuable, that the whereabouts of their growing places are always concealed, even from close family members.
- The truffle has long been considered an aphrodisiac and is was used as such by the Romans, Renaissance Princes and even Napoleon. Julius Caesar was so fond of their taste and their medicinal and aphrodisiac powers that he actually ate truffle dishes daily.
For further information and reservations please contact The Merrion directly on +353 1 603 0600, facsimile +353 1 603 0700, e-mail or alternatively via the website.
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