Experts seek top Italian wines and food in Hyde Park

Friday, 27 February, 2015

Daya Coetzee

Food and wine aficionados were treated to some of Jo’burg’s top authentic Italian delights at il Tartufo recently. This elegant Italian restaurant in Hutton Court Hyde Park hosted an Italian wine tasting evening, with wines from the Marchesi Antinori vineyard paired with a delectable four course meal prepared by Chef Omar Scarabello.

il Tartufo has been open for five years and regularly holds wine tasting events. The atmosphere and quality food and wine make it equally perfect for a business lunch, function, or a romantic evening out. It can seat seventy people in the comfortable and beautifully upholstered dark wooden chairs around tables with crisp white table clothes. The subtle red and green walls, black and white photographs of Sophia Lauren and Alfa Romeos, and chandeliers create a sophisticated ambiance.

Customised menus can be created for private functions such as business meetings, wine tasting evenings, anniversaries, or birthdays. The kitchen is open for customers to witness the professionals at work. il Tartufo is known for its excellent service and friendly, informed waitrons.

‘il Tartufo Ristorante Italiano’ is planning to launch Italian cooking courses by Scarabello who has been the senior chef for two and a half years. Scarabello grew up in Venice and studied at the Abano Terme hotel school there for two and a half years. Before coming to South Africa he was an owner and manager at Dom'us cocktail bar and restaurant (Oderzo Tv) in Italy. He has worked at some of Italy’s top four and five star hotels including Hotel Zirmerhof (Redagno, Bolzano), Hotel Preidhlof in (Naturno, Bolzano), Hotel ‘Le Dune’ (Eraclea Mare, Venice), Hotel ‘Luna Baglioni’ (Venice), Hotel Castelbrando (Vittorio Veneto).

Adriatic imports a number of the wines on il Tartufo’s comprehensive wine list, and was founded in 1970 by Renzo Reffo, who was later joined by his sons, Maurizio and Roberto Reffo. The company imports and distributes high quality Italian food and wine products from leading Italian companies to the South African market.

Roberto Reffo from Adriatic says, “We are a family-run business that has been around since 1970. Our founder Renzo Reffo began the Adriatic journey through ship chandling, and today we have evolved into an importation and distribution company that proudly represents some of Italy's top producers of food items and catering equipment.’

“The Antinori family has been making wine since 1385, for 26 generations and is one of the world's finest producers, we believe that their ethos runs parallel to ours at Adriatic and are proud to have them join our list of suppliers. We hope that South African wine drinkers will become as excited as we are with the quality and diversity of the renowned Antinori wine selection.”

Maurizio Reffo and his son, Roberto Reffo, from Adriatic, and Paolo Massimo from the Marchesi Antinori estate were at the event promoting the wines. Adriatic carefully selected top wines from Marchesi Antinori to pair with Scarabello’s thoughtfully selected menu:

Welcome drink:

Antipasti - Santa Cristina Bianco Umbria 2013

Starter:

Guinea fowl terrine with salad and truffle oil - Tomaresca Chardonnay 2013

Primi:

Risotto with duck and parmiggiano sauce - Tomaresca Neprica 2012

Paccheri pasta with Norma style brinjals, cocktail tomatoes, and smoked pecorino cheese - Peppoli Chianti Classico 2011

Secondo:

Lamb ossobuco with thyme and mash potatoes - Villa Antinori Rosso 2011

Chicken tagliata with roast potatoes and vegetables - Villa Antinori Rosso 2011

Dessert:

Chocolate and pistachio mousse