Bay Area Gourmet Seeks Truffles and Other Delicacies for NSA Fun.

April 9, 2008 3:44 PM

I recently discovered that I love black truffles and squab, but these are not the sorts of foods carried by my local supermarket chains. Where, in the San Francisco Bay Area can I purchase these and other gourmet delights?

I know both are available online, but I'd prefer to be able to purchase from a brick-and-mortar store so I can see what I'm ordering with my own eyeballs.

posted by lekvar to Food & Drink (10 answers total)

Andronicos would have truffles, I think. You might also try that great Italian deli in downtown oakland, Genova, (5095 Telegraph Avenue). Genova may also have squab, but try Magnani, 1576 Hopkins Street. Call ahead, they do special orders. My family gets goose from them all the time. They are near Monterey Market, which does great seasonal vegetables.
posted by parmanparman at 3:55 PM on April 9, 2008

Draeger's should have what you need--There are 2 or 3 on the Peninsula.
posted by OlderThanTOS at 3:57 PM on April 9, 2008

And if you want fresh truffles, you'll have to wait for late fall, as that's when they're in and available (here, at least). I used to work at a Whole Foods in SF, and we usually got our Italian truffles sometime in November. They are very expensive, and extremely delicious.
posted by rtha at 4:10 PM on April 9, 2008

The Ferry Building has all sorts of gourmet stuff and I remember seeing truffles at the Farmer's Market on Saturday a few times. You can also try calling a few vendors there and maybe they can set stuff aside or order it for you.
posted by miss lynnster at 6:56 PM on April 9, 2008

But yeah, like rtha says... truffles are seasonal so keep that in mind.
posted by miss lynnster at 6:57 PM on April 9, 2008

I saw frozen squab at my Oakland Whole Foods. You can usually find them fresh in Chinatown (SF but I imagine Oakland Chinatown too. Try the meat markets on Stockton st.
posted by oneirodynia at 8:57 PM on April 9, 2008

Also Ranch 99 Markets may have them fresh.
posted by oneirodynia at 8:58 PM on April 9, 2008

Whole Foods usually has squab (previously frozen). Golden Gate Meat Company (in the Ferry Building) may have squab on hand but can definitely get it for you within a day (during the week) if you call ahead. In fact, they can get you nearly any meat product you can imagine within a day, due to their large wholesale operation. While you are at the Ferry Building, check out Far West Fungi for truffles. I can't afford them, so I don't really follow the seasonality, but I know they stock a wide array (Oregon, Alba, etc.) in addition to things like truffle honey, truffle oil, and truffle salt.
posted by rorycberger at 9:23 AM on April 11, 2008

Oh, and if you aren't familiar with the Ferry Building you should know that they have a HUGE farmer's market every Saturday. You should definitely check it out sometime, it is incredible, just be prepared to spend a couple hours there navigating a sea of ten billion people. If you want a more relaxed stroll through the building to grab a couple ingredients then come on another day.
posted by rorycberger at 9:26 AM on April 11, 2008

Okay, so I went to farmer's market at the Ferry Building yesterday. Call Far West Fungi (415 989-9090). They have some truffles in the deli case right now even though truffle season doesn't begin until summer.
posted by miss lynnster at 12:02 PM on April 13, 2008