The Best Dishes Of 2022 | Truffle Edition

It’s hard to believe that in just a few days, we will say goodbye to 2022. It’s been a remarkable year, to say the least. I’m so incredibly grateful that travel has resumed, and I’ve had the opportunity to explore several new areas and revisit a few favorites. Recently, I spent some time scrolling through my photos, reliving some of my favorite moments and dishes from 2022. Trust me; there have been a lot ( and yes, the scale agrees.) If you’re new to Blonde Voyage Nashville, you should know that I am a truffle enthusiast. If it’s on the menu, I am going to order it. The aroma is simply intoxicating; it’s like nothing else you will experience.

As I scrolled through my phone, my heart was filled with such gratitude. Only some have the opportunity to travel, and I was fortunate enough to experience some incredible mouthwatering truffle dishes from across the globe, some of which came from the truffle capital of the world.

Without further ado, I’m sharing with you all the best truffle dishes of 2022. How about a little crash course for those unfamiliar with truffles?

What are truffles?

Aside from being a culinary delicacy, truffles are edible fungi that grow underground among the roots of certain trees. Truffles are rich in umami, and they taste as they smell, or they should. There are over 140 species available, but the most popular are black, burgundy, and white truffles.

Where can I find truffles?

Truffles can be found all across the world, but truffles grown in Italy and France tend to be the rarest and most expensive kind of truffles. Villefranche-du-Perigord is most famous for its black truffles, while Alba, Italy, is often known as the white truffle capital of the world. It is a dream of mine to visit Alba for the truffle festival. Could you even imagine?

Truffle Milk Toast | Fermented Honey Ice Cream + Périgord Truffle

Kumiko, Chicago, IL

I’ve taken many trips to Chicago, but it wasn’t until 2022 that I had a chance to make it to Kumiko, a Japanese dining bar located in the West Loop. Known for its exquisite cocktail and bar program, Kumiko landed on the World’s 50 Best Bar list in 2022. Whether you come in for some of the finest Japanese Whiskey or to enjoy a bite, you will feel the warmth and hospitality of the restaurant. We decided to visit Kumiko for a pre-dinner drink, where I enjoyed an amazing Ginger Martini Component Flight. ( To die for, P.S.) You know I wasn’t about to leave without trying their famous Truffle Milk Toast. It was the perfect pre-dinner bite. After all, who says you can’t start with dessert? Am I right?

Black Truffle Croissant

Kasama, Chicago, IL

The next entry on the list is a tried and true favorite. In 2022, Kasama received the following accolades:

Best New Restaurant- Chicago Magazine
One Michelin Star
Best Chefs of the Year- Robb Report
Food & Wine Best New Chefs
Best Pastry Program- Jean Banchet

And the list continues. Every single time I visit Chicago, I make it a point to visit Kasama and catch up with Genie and Tim. Not only are they making some killer food (see list above), but they are such inspiring, kind individuals. Given their recent fanfare, it’s become a little more difficult to secure reservations for their tasting menu. (Even getting up at midnight has proven difficult.) Don’t let that discourage you. Grab a coffee and head over to Ukrainian Village, and find out what all the hype is about. Yes, you will wait in line…sometimes longer than others, depending on when you arrive. But take it from a girl who loves to eat; it’s absolutely worth the wait. I said it last year, and I’ll say it again- Kasama is doing the Lord’s work, and you can’t convince me otherwise. Try one of these magical Black Truffle Croissants, and let me know what you think.

Carnaroli Risotto with white truffle cream and fresh truffles

Osteria Barberini, Rome, Italy

Focaccia With Mozzarella, Black Truffle Cream and Black Truffle

Osteria Barberini, Rome, Italy

This next restaurant scored two incredible dishes on my list for 2022.

Just steps away from Piazza Barberini, you will find one of the most incredible restaurants in Rome. It’s not Michelin star rated, and you won’t find it on the World’s 50 Best Restaurant list, but the food served is unparalleled to anything else I enjoyed in Rome. Welcome to Osteria Barberini. I stumbled upon this restaurant back in 2016 during my first trip to Rome. I think I googled “best truffle restaurants in Rome,” and Osteria Barberini was at the top of the search. After an extraordinary dining experience in 2016, it was at the top of my list for this trip. Simply put, this restaurant is like heaven for a truffle enthusiast. By now, you all know that I never like to repeat a restaurant and have only made a few exceptions (ahem, Kasama). In fact, our meal was so phenomenal ( the truffle risotto truly needs a moment) that we popped back by for lunch a few days later when I discovered the Focaccia, which was absolutely next level.

Osteria Barberini is a quaint neighborhood restaurant; if you don’t have reservations for dinner, forget about it. I emailed roughly two months in advance seeking a reservation, and even then, only a few time slots were available.

Truffold Fashioned | Angel’s Envy + Torres Brandy 10 + Truffle + Honey + Dark Chocolate Bitters

The Court, Rome, Italy

In a land where Aperol Spritz and Campari Sodas are the stars of the show, this cocktail from The Court deserves a moment. Over the last few years, I’ve developed a fondness for Bourbon. What can I say? Blame it on multiple trips to Bardstown in the previous two years. Admittedly, when I spotted the Truffold Fashioned on the menu, I was somewhat skeptical. 99% of the time, when something is “truffle-infused,” it likely means it has little to no truffle flavor. This drink was a pleasant surprise. Not only was the Bourbon infused with white truffles, but there was a truffle honey syrup, and the glass was garnished with a truffle “chip” on top of the ice. If it weren’t for the two-hour time limit, I could have stayed there all evening enjoying these. It’s a must for this girl!

Tuscany White Truffle | Egg Yolk Ravioli + Black Trumpet + 40 Months Parmesan

Odette, Singapore

You all know my love of truffles, especially of the white variety, so when I saw the truffle supplement on the Odette menu, I happily traded in my beet course and replaced it with the dreamiest Egg Yolk Ravioli. Even though I was in the truffle capital of the world only a few weeks earlier, this dish made me weak in my knees. I truly believe if you ever have the opportunity to experience freshly shaved white truffles, it's something you must do at least once in your lifetime.

Kakigori | Passionfruit + Cured Egg Yolk + White Truffle

Locust, Nashville, Tennessee

If you are visiting Nashville and looking for a fun, easygoing, unique dining experience, look no further than Locust. They are only open three days a week, so snagging a reservation is essential. While many visit Locust for the dumplings and seafood offerings, you don’t leave without trying the Kakigori. In the last few months, Locust has introduced a new pastry chef who is shaking things up a bit. While there have been many iterations of this dish over the past couple of years, this most recent version is by far my favorite. Light, fluffy ice filled with Passionfruit, topped with a Cured Egg Yolk and shaved White Truffles. Truly, does it get any better than this? Absolute dreamy AF.

Thank you for letting me share my favorite truffle dishes of 2022! Here’s to all the great restaurants, brilliant chefs, and hardworking hospitality workers that made 2022 a great year. Thank you for allowing me to remember what a treat it is to dine out and also for saving me from the subpar Trader Joe’s meals that I’ve been cooking at home.

Cheers to 2023. May the New Year bring you happiness, adventure, and copious amounts of delicious food.