Black Diamond

This was supposed to be a bad year for the truffle season in France. Mr Truffle man, a 30 minute drive north of our house, said that he has seen a 80% decline in truffles on his property within the past 30 years.
Nevertheless Mr Truffle man made us a surprise visit last week with two huge truffles found by his dog, Pomme. Pomme is 14 years young, practically deaf and blind but she still has the 'nose'.

Our neighbor recalls her grandmother saying,' there is nothing to eat in the house, go outside and find some truffles'

Direction ALBA: Black Diamond and Barolo Wine Country

After a several days of idyllic existence at Casa Cambi, my husband and I head over to the land of delicious encounters: truffles and earthy Barolo wine. Unfortunately, we are out of the loop for white truffle season since the summer truffles are already long gone and the winter truffles are still hibernating somewhere near a friendly oak tree. We stop and rest our bags in Alba. Tonight is my birthday so we ask the concierge for a "special" restaurant. Since we have been in Italy, we have not had a bad meal. There is a speciality pasta the Piedmont region called, Tajarin. It is like fettuccine but half the width...They pair it the simplest tomato sauce that I have yet to duplicate to their perfection. I have become addicted to their Tajarin pasta. Is this a bad thing?