(shanghai daily)
Updated: 2006-11-24 09:10

As the Year of Italy ,in China draws to a close, the last few region specific promotions are also wrapping up.

They say, however, that the best is best saved till last. Until Sunday, local diners can enjoy exceptional cuisine in one of eight restaurants around the city as part of the "Savour Piemonte" promotion.

                         
The region's fare is famed around the world. In typical Italian fashion, striding confidently toward the future while keeping a steady eye on the past, the food is every bit as timeless as the magnificent towns of Piedmont. Bold yet traditional, the region has recognized the important role played by its gastronomic sector, and is using it to spearhead cultural acceptance overseas.

The most famous food product from Piedmont, which includes the city of Turin, is the Alba truffle. The valuable white fungus is prized by food lovers around the world for its beautiful aroma and its qualities as an aphrodisiac.

Alba, a village not far from Turin, is but one place where the naturally occurring tuber can be found. Every year, from late September to early January, truffle connoisseurs from across Europe descend upon the village marketplace to snap up as many of them as possible. This market is the only one that can guarantee the quality of each truffle on sale.

Earlier this month, the world's largest white truffle was sold at auction in Hong Kong. At 1.5 kilograms, it beat the previous record of 1.2 kilograms recorded last year. Property tycoon Gordon Wu paid 125,000 euros (US$160,825) for the magnificent specimen, and was said to have consumed the lot in a banquet for friends.

Another famous Piedmont product is barolo wine. The red is named after the town from which it hails and has brought it international recognition. A wine town in the strictest sense, the scent of the beverage can be sniffed from every street corner.

Barolo is made from the low yielding nebbiolo grape. It is a big, robust wine, rich in alcohol and one that needs to age gracefully over time. It is often described as a chewy wine as it is often served while it is still tight and concentrated, without having had sufficient time to open up.

It is a food wine through and through, just like most Italian drops. The high levels of tannin suggest pairing with roasted game, but would go just as well with a solid chunk of steak.

This week, local diners have had the chance to savor both prized white truffles and the noble barolo. Regione Piemonte (the regional board), the Italian Culinary Institute for Foreigners and Enoteca Regionale del Barolo (the wine board) have partnered with eight of the best restaurants in the city to bring both products paired with outstanding dishes.

These eight are Favola, Cucina, Prego, Va Bene, Innovations, Leonardo's, Casanova and The Kitchen. These establishments all offer different white Alba truffle promotional menus with a fine wine to match.

Part of the reason that an ingredient such as white truffle or a wine such as barolo is so highly esteemed is that these are not something one eats or drinks everyday. With the "Savour Piemonte" promotion, local diners can taste what all the fuss is about.

Favola
Address: 8/F, 789 Nanjing Road E.
Tel: 021-3318-9999

Cucina
Address: 56/F, 88 Century Boulevard
Tel: 021-5047-1234 ext.8919

Prego
Address: 2/F, 88 Henan Road
Tel: 021-6335-1888 ext.7314

Va Bene
Address: House 7, Taicang Road
Tel: 6311-2211

Innovations
Address: 2/F, 18 Xinjing Road
Tel: 021-5055-4666 ext.1250

Leonardo's
Address: 250 Huashan Road
Tel: 021-6248-0000

The Kitchen
Address: D,2967 Lujiazui Road W.
Tel: 021-5054-0765

Casanova
Address: 913 Julu Road
Tel: 021-5403-4528