The “Just Ask!” Restaurant of the Month winner for August is Truffles Restaurant & Wine Bar in Kilkenny, Co Kilkenny

Truffles may be one of Kilkenny’s newer restaurants, but it’s also one of the most popular - and no wonder. Owner-manager, Milko Mihaylov, and Chef Lukasz Glab already had a following when they teamed up last year to bring something fresh to the city, and the unpretentious fine dining that they offer in this bright and elegant restaurant and wine bar soon made it a favourite destination for residents - and also a joy for visitors to discover.

“Rooted in the Freshness of the Season” is the motto heading a list of local suppliers and partners that speaks volumes for this down to earth philosophy and all menus are designed to satisfy diners that may have allergies – over 95% of dishes are also available as gluten, nuts, dairy and shellfish free alternatives.

Except for duckling, which comes from the leading producer Silver Hill Foods in Co. Monaghan, all of the restaurant’s fresh Irish poultry, pork, game, lamb and beef are supplied by second generation craft butcher Pat Mullins, of Mullins Butchers, Kilkenny, while all fresh seafood, including scallops, prawns and mussels, is supplied by the respected Dublin wholesaler, Kish Fish.

Reflecting the exceptional care taken with vegetarian and vegan dishes, organic leaves and root vegetables are supplied by Vincent Grace of Riverfield Farm in Callan, and Edmundburry Greens Farm in Durrow, Co. Laois supply certified chemical free mixed leaves, microgreens and fresh herbs.

Speciality ingredients (including the magical black truffles that inspired the restaurant’s name) come from Redmond Fine Foods in County Dublin, and there are great artisan cheeses too, of course, supplied by the Traditional Cheese Co. Ltd of Dublin - a carefully selected daily range of five Irish and European cheeses, sometimes including the local Dizzy Goats Cheese - while flours and grains from the Mosse family’s seventh generation mill, Kells Wholemeal at Bennettsbridge, couldn’t be much more local.
Inspired by these fine ingredients, Chef Glab's cooking is innovative with an Italian and French twist - he includes tasty dishes not often seen on other menus - faggots, for example - and his extensive à la carte menu for vegans and vegetarians is available at both lunch and dinner.

And, reflecting the care taken in the kitchen, the service provided by Milko’s well trained and smartly attired front of house staff is prompt and smiling - they have good menu knowledge and find time for a bit of chat too, which creates a warm ambience.
Kilkenny may be well endowed with good eating places, but Truffles has found its own niche. A deep-rooted commitment to seasonality and local produce adds an extra dimension to the fairly priced ‘informal fine dining’ that is so enjoyable here - and the carefully designed menu for vegan and vegetarian diners is outstanding.

OPENING HOURS
Tuesday to Saturday
12.00-3.00 pm and 5.30-9.30 pm
Sunday 12.00-8.00 pm

For additional information on Just Ask and previous Just Ask winners, or to find out how to get involved, visit www.bordbia.ie.

SAMPLE MENU:
À la Carte Menu
Available 7 days, Lunch & Dinner

STARTERS
Soup of the Day €6.00
Our soup changes daily, but one thing never does, great taste! Plan your meal with our list of soup options for every day of the week.
Farro Salad with fried Cauliflower and Chorizo €10.00
A delicious combination of nutty Cauliflower, nubby Farro with earthy Carrots, Celery and Garlic cloves.
Velvety Duck Liver Pate €9.00
Rich, smooth Duck liver pate is balanced beautifully with scrumptiously sweet pieces of Offaly Port wine-poached Shallots Jam, Served with crusted Ciabatta and Organic salad leaves.
Seared Beef Carpaccio €9.00
Smoked with Chicory wood, dressed with shaved Parmesan, Rocket leaves and pickled walnut dressing
Spiced Pink Prawns€12.00
Tossed with White wine, touch of Chili and Garlic Served with Organic leaves and Coriander Salsa
Baked Goat Cheese Tower €10.00
Chunky Goat cheese ring, Charred Beef Tomato, Tossed Seasonal Zoodles, Dressed with homemade Basil Cashew pesto and Organic salad leaves
Louie Crab Salad €11.00
Lime Mayonnaise dressed Irish Crab meat, combine with delicate Baby Gem Lettuce, over puff pastry base and Harissa aioli

HEARTY DISHES
One-Pot Chicken and Mushroom Pasta €18.50
Savoury depth diversity of Mushrooms and Chicken strips, Elevated with Creamy White wine sauce and freshly shaved Parmesan cheese
Linguine ala Contadina €19.00
Tossed Chorizo with Semi-dried Tomatoes, Fried Capers, Sauté onions, Grilled aubergines, Finished with a touch of aged Parmesan cheese
Wild Mushroom and Truffle Risotto €18.50
Authentic Italian-style risotto, simmered with freshly shaved Parmesan, Tossed with Fresh chives and Drizzle of Black truffle oil

CHEF’S SPECIALS
Coq au Vin €21.50
Classic French dish, slow, careful cooked in Red wine Chicken, Wild Mushrooms and Bacon, to make a rich, deep-flavoured dish
Roast Duck and Sherry €26.00
Silver Hill’s Duckling, glazed with Sherry- Raspberry Reduction, Surrounded by selection of oven baked veggies
Bavarian-style Pork Chop €24.50
Cider glazed roasted pork chop, laid on Sausage N Sour cabbage medley, Apple jelly cubes and red wine jus
Special of the Day €POA
Allow us to elevate Your dining experience, with a dish designed on the day, From locally sourced produce, according to the intention of Our Chefs creativity
9 oz. Irish Rib Eye Steak €27.50
Paddy’s favourite cut, cooked to your liking, Choice of Garlic butter or Rainbow Peppercorn sauce and sprinkle of Maldon Sea Salt

VEGAN AND VEGETARIAN MENU
Available 7 days, Lunch & Dinner

STARTERS
Beetroot and goat cheese stacks (Vegetarian option) €8.50
A Gourmet Dish, rooted into the Earthy notes of the Roasted Beetroots, Whipped Goat cheese mousse, pickled walnuts dressing
Farro Salad with fried Cauliflower (Vegan option) €10.00
Delicious combination of nutty Cauliflower, nubby Farro with earthy Carrots, Celery and Garlic cloves… Coriander and Extra Virgin Olive oil to get them together!
Baked Goat Cheese Tower (Vegetarian option) €10.00
Chunky Goat cheese ring, Charred Beef Tomato, Tossed Seasonal Zoodles, Dressed with homemade Basil Cashew pesto and Organic salad leaves
Fire roasted Tomato Hummus (Vegan option) €8.50
Earthy flavors, created from Tahini, Turmeric, Cumin, and Onions, Served with Fried Pitas and Spicy chick peas-tomato relish

MAIN COURSES
Aubergine schnitzel (Vegan option) €18.50
“Meaty” cuts of aubergines, layered up with Sun-dried tomatoes, Roast peppers and lentils, wrapped in Phyllo dough, Royal pepper relish
Cauliflower steak (Vegan option) €18.50
Gently tossed in the pan, finished in the oven, on bed of simmered Savoy Cabbage and garlic beetroot aioli, roasted Cashew nuts
Spinach and Pine Nuts Risotto (Vegan and Vegetarian option) €18.50
This risotto is studded with the colour and vibrant flavour of Spinach, Fresh sauté Leeks and Artichokes, nubby notes of tossed Pine nuts
Linguine ala Contadina (Vegan option) €19.00
Homemade Pasta, Semi-dried Tomatoes with fried capers, Grilled aubergines and Fresh parsley, freshly shaved Parmesan
Mediterranean Moussaka (Vegan option) €19.00
Layers of Roasted Aubergine, Courgette, Diced tomato and Red Bell pepper, Seasoned with Thyme and Maldon Sea salt, coated with Creamy Vegan béchamel
Wild Mushroom and Truffle Risotto (Vegan) €18.50
A delicious blend of Wild mushrooms and Arborio rice, tossed with Fresh chives, Yeast flakes and drizzle of Black truffle oil

OUR LOCAL SUPPLIERS AND PARTNERS
Rooted in the Freshness of the Season
Fresh Irish Poultry, Pork, Game, Lamb and Beef – “Pat Mullins Butchers”-Kilkenny City
All Fresh Seafood, including Scallops, Prawns and Mussels –“Kish Fish”, Co. Dublin
Organic Leaves and Vegetables –“Riverfield Farm “- Vincent Grace, Callan, Co. Kilkenny
Certified Chemical Free Mixed Leaves, Microgreens And Fresh Herbs - Edmundburry Greens Farm In Durrow, Co. Laois
Black Truffles and Fine ingredients – “Redmond Fine Foods” Co. Dublin
Duckling – “Silver Hill Foods”, Co.Monaghan
Flours & Grains -” Kells Wholemeal”, Bennettsbridge, Co. Kilkenny
Selection of Artisan Irish and European cheeses – “Traditional Cheese Co. Ltd” Dublin

VIEW ALL JUST ASK RESTAURANT OF THE MONTH WINNERS

“Just Ask!” is a public awareness campaign that aims to encourage consumers when eating out to look for information on where the food (particularly meat) on their plate comes from, and encourages chefs to provide this information on their menus. The programme supports both large and smaller artisan suppliers, encouraging both Irish diners and visitors from abroad to support restaurants that are in turn supporting their suppliers.
Here at Georgina Campbell Guides we have always been avid supporters of the ‘eat local’ concept, and we always enjoy reading menus that have a real sense of place. The dining experience is greatly enriched by knowing that the food on your plate is inspired by the produce and traditions of the area, and sourced nearby – and we would love to see more chefs sharing that precious information with their guests.
If you are a visitor to the area, learning a little about local food and the people who produce it adds a special extra dimension to the visit – and, for residents, it reinforces a natural pride in the good things of their locality and makes a meal all the more enjoyable.
So, we are delighted by the high standard of menus that continue to be submitted for our ' “Just Ask!” Restaurant of the Month Competition', menus that really speak of the best of Irish foods – and the dedication of both the people who make them, and the chefs who select them to create wonderful dishes with real Irish flavour for our enjoyment.