Tis’ the season!  Which one is that?  A foodie’s favorite time of the year… truffle season!  I was invited to Via Veneto in Santa Monica for a tasting of their White Truffle menu, along with some other food bloggers and tastemakers.  It was absolutely amazing and not just because I had been looking forward to trying out the restaurant for some time.  Yes, I just absolutely adore Italian food (and the Italian accents we heard throughout the night), but I was also excited to have a tasting of white truffles.  I am more acquainted with the black truffle, so this was an experience that definitely piqued my foodie tastebuds!

Before we get to the menu, I have to comment on the space itself.  The restaurant itself is pretty small but gorgeously decorated.  It reminds me of actual Italian restaurants!

On another note, I’m so sad to mention this but… I forgot to bring my camera.  I did my best to capture the beautiful food on my phone, but luckily there were other foodies on hand to document the experience!  Take a look at Robert’s post from Dude Let’s Eat and you’ll actually see my picture taking skills in action.  🙂  Ha!

Easily the best carpaccio I’ve ever eaten.  The slices were paper thin and delicate, practically melting in your mouth.  The flavorful from the Taleggio cheese and truffle combination were perfectly balanced to not overwhelm the beef.  Amazing!

Scallops and truffles were just meant to coexist.  A lovely second antipasti before the heavier courses!

We all know how temperamental and high-maintenance risotto is to cook, so finding a good one on a menu, is sometimes tough.  Lucky me, after last week at Old Vine Cafe, I found yet another one that is rich and silky with the perfect consistency.  The truffle shavings just put the dish right over the edge from delectable to mind-blowing.

The gnocchi was so pillowy soft, I could not understand how they achieved it.  Absolutely delicious dish and the aroma was heavenly!

I do not consider myself a steak lover, so I fully expected to share this dish with my dinner guest… but I ate every last bite.  Not even a forkful was left behind!

The veal was cooked so wonderfully, it practically melted in my mouth yet again.  (I’m beginning to sense a theme here…)  The porcinis were an earthy addition along with the gorgeous truffle.  The one-two punch was wonderful!

I thought I was too full to eat another bite… until the dessert came out.

Silky and creamy.  The flavors were so simple and worked together beautifully!

The quintessential Italian dessert, I could not believe how light and airy this was.  It’s exactly what tiramisu is supposed to taste like!

Light and airy puffs filled with cream.  The fitting end to a decadent dinner!

Nutella, shortbread, and cake.  All desserts that I love… even better whipped up into one amazing dessert.  My favorite of the quartet!

Now that I experienced the exceptional White Truffle menu at Via Veneto, with each course getting better and better, I cannot wait to return and try the regular menu items!  Now that I am more acquainted with the white truffle, I’m going to be seeking out some more dishes this season with my new favorite ingredient.

Via Veneto
3009 Main St
Santa Monica, CA 90405
www.viaveneto.us
+1 310-399-1843