TUCKED AWAY neatly on corner in Belgravia, lies the relatively new The Hari – a private spot for those who wish to indulge in the extravagance of SW1 but without the noise and bustle of its white-house lined streets. Launching a truly indulgent Truffle menu in their ground floor Italian restaurant, Il Pampero, I made my way to taste this deliciously nutty offering.
Structured around a 4-course set menu, with two to three options to choose from for each, beginning with starter, pasta, main and ending on dessert, and also coming with the option of an Antinori wine pairing, this autumnal infused culinary journey seeks to elevate traditional dishes with the treasured taste of truffle. Despite my excitement to see how this ingredient would be incorporated, I was somewhat apprehensive about its use as there have been many times where its strong taste would overpower its counterparts on the plate – but to my surprise, The Hari’s Truffle Menu did not fall into this trap.
Starting with the Beef Fillet Tartare with pickled onions, capers, berries and cipriani sauce, the black truffle was grated very finely over the top, allowing for the meat’s tender flavour to maintain its position at the front of the classic French dish while adding a little oakyness after. Moving onto a favourite dish of mine, Wild Mushroom Risotto with Black Truffle, this was a stand-out of the four – albeit, the only downfall being the size of the portion being too large for a four-course meal, but that’s not to say I didn’t finish it. The well-known combination of flavours rarely disappoints, and in this case, was utterly moreish.
Wild Mushroom Risotto with Black Truffle
Pork fillet, crushed potato, honey-glazed endive & black truffle
Next up I picked the Vension with Rainbow Chard, Peanuts and Raisins, and of course, served with shavings of White Truffle. Delicately pink and served with a jus, the truffle taste was very minimal for this dish, letting the incredibly tender meat take centre stage for this course.
Admittedly at this point I was quite full, but the dessert offering was either a selection of Italian Cheese or Eggnog Marsala, so I opted for the last intrigued by the inclusive of truffle but also how the juxtaposing myriad of flavours would combine. It’s safe to say, they do and in a way that makes any sort of feeling of being full somehow disappear making space for something sweet – especially when it has amaretti biscuits sprinkled on the top.
Eggnog marsala, amaretti biscuits and white truffle
With the first hints of Truffle season among us, there is no need to venture outside of the city for a taste of this delicious treat when The Hari’s menu is so meticulously formulated to balance the deep flavours of this foraged good with its counterparts on the plate. Though entering a little hesitant, I left only craving more. Greedy? Maybe. Worth it? Definitely!
by Imogen ClarkÂ
Truffle Experience is priced at £105 for 4-courses
Antinori Wine Pairing is an additional £70
The Hari, 20 Chesham Pl, London SW1X 8HQ