Il Tartufo Ristorante — Restaurant in Parkland

Il Tartufo opened 2 months ago in Parkland, north of Hillsboro and 441 next to Malbec Grill. For those of you who remember, this is the same Il Tartufo that was in Fort Lauderdale in Chima Steakhouse's location until 1998. From what the owner Chef Luciano told us, apparently he left and traveled the world for 25 years teaching other restaurants the art of cooking. I wasn't too thrilled to find out this was Italian food since that's not in short supply, but by the end of the meal we all agreed this is as authentic as it gets.

The spot itself is very tasteful but not large, with a section by the hostess stand reserved for imported Italian goods like Parmesan Truffle cream you can buy as you leave. Our waiter Adriano was really attentive and had that sing-song Italian accent that just got us hungrier and hungrier listening to him say cheese names.

Most of the food was fantastic. We had a party of 6 and ordered a lot based off his recommendations. For starters they had a seasonal butternut squash soup of the day, with a touch of cream and crispy parmesan cheese bits sprinkled on top. Black truffles mixed in cut though the sweetness for a very pleasant taste.

The Bruschetta E Tartare had a bed of fresh tomatoes that were almost pickled with lemon and basil (almost pickled in a great way for someone like me who enjoys a bit tart or sour). It was really wonderful with soft bites of the steak contrasting with the crunch of the bread, and the arugula and shaved cheeses bringing it all together.

One of the specials was the giant tortellini shells with duck confit in a butter sauce. It was the best duck dish we've ever had. It was so delicate and velvety inside, with a hint of sweet carrots and earthy flavors complemented by this slight lemon zest and herbs on the shell itself. Incredible. We asked Chef Luciano if that could make its way to the main menu but he explained he can't since it takes him a long time to prepare both the oversized shells and the high-quality duck.

The homemade ravioli was packed with imported truffles and ricotta cheese, with a brown butter sage sauce, and it was very good. It felt like it was missing something (maybe tomatoes for some tanginess?) but nonetheless the quality of every dish started to jump out real quick.

I ordered the cacio e pepe made in the cheese wheel with pecorino cheese. I would have preferred a bit hotter and more gooey as I noticed they left it in the wheel a bit too long. I also prefer the pasta less al dente. But once they shaved black truffles directly onto my dish, my problems were gone just like that. It was still very enjoyable.

The Genovese (like most dishes) had homemade pasta. There was a red wine ragu with slow cooked beef and tomatoes and onions and scoops of Buffalo ricotta cheese. Traditional and well-done.

We also had a lasagna with pesto besciamelle and imported chanterelle mushrooms. Adriano had to point out there was no meat in the dish since most customers expected that. It actually worked out better and allowed the really tasty pesto to be the center of attention.

The desserts were divine. They had a lemon sponge cake that just fell apart and had notes of vanilla. Definitely my favorite. The chocolate bomb lava cake was happily destroyed in front us as Adriano poured heated chocolate and collapsed the chocolate bomb revealing ice cream. Crunchy cookies waited underneath.

We expected all of this to cost way more than it did, with most dishes we ordered being between $20 to $32.

In a plot twist, Adriano revealed at the end that was he was in fact the manager and he likes to serve to stay close to what's happening on the floor. He mentioned the goal for early next year is the first weekend of the month they would like to start a tour of Italy, where they pick a region of Italy and create some special dishes with a wine pairing. Eventually Chef Luciano also wants to start a nine course meal with wine pairings that continues year round. We will try to get to both of those and report back...

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Tartufo restaurant, and I must say that it was an exceptional experience. From the moment I walked in, I was struck by the inviting and elegant atmosphere of the place. The warm lighting and tasteful decor created a cozy and upscale environment that immediately set the tone for a memorable evening.

The highlight of the evening was undoubtedly the food. Tartufo delivered an extraordinary culinary journey that left my taste buds dancing with delight. The menu is a testament to their commitment to high-quality ingredients and expert craftsmanship. The dishes were beautifully presented, and each bite was a burst of flavor that left a lasting impression. The truffle-infused dishes, in particular, were a revelation. Their use of truffles added a luxurious and earthy dimension to the meal that was truly unforgettable.

The dessert selection was equally impressive. I indulged in a heavenly dessert that was the perfect conclusion to an already outstanding meal. It was clear that the pastry chef is a master of their craft.

The wine selection complemented the food perfectly, and the knowledgeable staff was more than happy to provide recommendations to enhance the dining experience. The pairing of wine with the dishes was spot-on, and it elevated the entire meal.

One aspect that stood out for me was the reasonable prices. Given the exceptional quality of the food and the overall experience, I was pleasantly surprised by how affordable the meal was. It's not often that you find such high-end dining that doesn't break the bank.

I also appreciated the attentiveness of the staff. They were professional, courteous, and went above and beyond to make our evening special. Their dedication to providing exceptional service was evident throughout the meal.

In summary, my visit to Tartufo restaurant was a true gastronomic delight. The combination of excellent food, delectable desserts, a well-curated wine list, reasonable prices, and a beautiful ambiance make it a standout dining destination. I thoroughly enjoyed my time there and can't wait to return. If you're looking for a memorable dining experience in a fantastic setting, Tartufo is the...

The waiter told us about a fantastic special they had that was a 10 oz prawn over homemade pasta. My father, my brother and I all ordered that dish. Sounded delish! He later told us that they had run out of the 10oz prawns so we would be getting two 8oz prawns instead. Ok. Np. So all of our food comes out and I had a nice big prawn on my plate and a small tail. The waiter definetly said we would get two whole prawns, but whatever! After I ate the big prawn, I went to the tail and realized that it was completely empty. It looked like it had been deep fried or something. Like they took some old shells, deep fried them to kill and germs and popped it on the plate in the hopes no one would notice. Absolutely no meat in it. I said something to my father, and it was the same on his plate. Also on my brothers. So i decided to tell the waiter. I am not one to cause a stink normally but I expect to receive what I ordered. And especially since it wasn't cheap! I just thought it was odd to get a completely dry empty shell. So the waiter said “I will go find out what happened”. I saw him walk over to the manager and talk to him. So the manager (some guy with a slicked back ponytail) came over with a look on his face like he was already annoyed. I told him what had happened and he just turned around and walked away. Didn't say “I will look into it” or “sorry about that”. NOTHING! He never came back to the table and never said anything else to me. The waiter came back to the table towards the end of the meal and said “they are looking into the security cameras to see what happened in the kitchen and to see what came out. I am SO so so very sorry” as he shrugged his shoulders in utter confusion. Im sorry but WHAT?!!?! Come up with something more believable next time you want to blow off a customer. The waiter did all that he could but the manager needs a lesson in customer service. Never been treated like that before at a restaurant. No apology, no conversation…. NOTHING! Food was bland as heck also and took FOREVER to come out. Ever heard of salt? Never going back. Plenty of other places to eat...