An Affair To Remember…

Francesco Nuccitelli, the erudite Italian owner of Sociale Restaurant in Brooklyn Heights, has created a magical moment.

Last week we attended Sociale’s second annual Alba White Truffle Gala.

Who knows truffles better than a native Italian.

White truffles are found in areas of the Piedmont region in northern Italy and, predominantly, in the countryside around Alba (population, 30,000).

For fans of amazing food, incredible Italian wines and white truffles, make note of this outrageously delicious event.

This month some of the most acclaimed restaurants in New York City are holding truffle events.

Charlie Palmer, Ai Fiori, Ristorante Morini, Eataly, Felidia, Marea, Porter House Bar & Grill, Waverly Inn, to name just a few, are charging upwards of $1300 per person to dive into the white truffle pond.

Sociale is a bargain at $250 per person to indulge in the finest truffles from the Piedmont region of Italy where the large truffles sell for $2800 per pound and the smaller truffle is valued at $2400.

The atmosphere was glowing, with the tables covered in white linen tablecloths, candles illuminating the intimate dining room, Francesco well suited for the evening along with his impeccable, unintrusively efficient staff decked out in white starched shirts and ties.

Prosecco awaited our arrival.

Freshly baked bread and sweet butter were immediately placed on the table.

The first course was an Italian classic of fried eggs covered in white truffles and porcini mushrooms…eggs will never taste the same to me.

In Italy, truffles are not served with meat…only eggs, polenta, tagliatelle or risotto.

Interestingly, the concept is to marry inexpensive ingredients with the exclusive, decadent truffle.

Additionally, you want a soft texture and neutral palate to blend with the fragrant truffles.

Barolo’s and Barbarescos accompanied each course as these wines are cultivated in the same region as the white truffles.

The wine flowed freely and consisted of Barolo Altenasso Borgogno 2012, Barbaresco Cecilia Monte Serracapelli 2012 and Barbaresco Castello Di Nieve 2011.

The rich, smooth, tantalizing Polenta was off the charts, bathed in white truffles and porcini mushrooms.

The Steak Tartare, sourced from Montana grass fed cows, raised in a biodynamic agricultural environment, was delicious, enhanced with mustard and shallots and, of course, white truffles.

Francesco had a special asparagus course prepared for my husband who does not eat meat.

The asparagus were al dente and flavorful and the truffles enhanced the asparagus freshness and earthiness.

To be honest, after recently spending time in Italy I wasn’t sure that I could eat pasta again in the U.S.

Well, Francesco had me eating my words because the Tagliatelle with butter and white truffles was orgasmic.

If it was socially acceptable to publicly lick the plate, I would have.

David chose the Risotto with white truffles and it was magnificent.

The three hour truffle extravaganza ended with a refreshing, creamy dessert of Zabaglione with mascarpone, a splash of rum, truffles and porcini mushroom shaving.

A perfect ending to a perfect evening.

I left satiated and fell asleep with thoughts of truffles (much more enticing than sugar plums) dancing in my head.

You must put this annual event on your bucket list for the first Tuesday and Wednesday in December, 2018 as white truffle season runs from October to the end of the year in Italy.

If you have not dined at Sociale then you are missing out on an amazing, cutting edge Italian dining experience in a relaxed, friendly and reasonably priced environment, especially for the quality and  creativity.

Francesco, the Devil salutes your dedication, quest for perfection and inventiveness along with your brilliant chef, Rosendo Lozano, formerly of Scott Conant’s restaurant, Scarpetta.

Sociale 72 Henry Street Brooklyn Heights, New York. Open Daily for lunch and dinner along with brunch on the weekend. Reservations on OpenTable.com.