CELESTINO RISTORANTE
IT’S MUSHROOM & TRUFFLE TIME!

With fall underway, one of my personal favorite highlights of the season, even beating out most holiday fun, is the onset of “truffle time” at Celestino Ristorante in Pasadena. And that’s because no one, and I mean no one, does truffles better.

A truffle here and a truffle there, means truffle fungi everywhere! 

“Mushrooms add a deep, earthy flavor to anything you prepare with them, which makes them perfect for our hearty fall Italian dishes,” Celestino Ristorante owner and executive chef Calogero Drago says. “Celestino Ristorante is sharing one of our favorite gifts from the earth with our guests.”

One of my absolute favorites of the mushroom dishes is the Porcini Mushroom Soup with Black Truffle. This dish embodies the sentiment that soup does a body good as it is absolutely decadently delicious.

Celestino Ristorante showcases this “wild child” of a mushroom in a myriad of dishes as these porcino mushrooms are earthy and versatile and do not disappoint. If you’re looking for heartier fare, there is the Risotto with Fresh Porcini Mushrooms as well as the Homemade Wide Pappardelle with Fresh Porcini Mushrooms. And don’t forget the Roasted Rack of Veal with Fresh Porcini Mushrooms. Magnificent!

And then there is the mighty morel mushroom. This is a rich and meaty mushroom and is presented perfectly in dishes such as Tagliolini with Fresh Morel Mushrooms and Pecorino Cheese or Chef Drago’s famed Risotto with Baby Scallops and Fresh Morel Mushrooms. For those craving a meatier offering, make sure to savor the flavor with the Veal Scaloppini with Fresh Fava Beans & Fresh Morel.

When it comes to the beloved Seasonal Mushroom & Truffle Menu, the true star of the show is the divine truffle itself. And the wonderful truffles at Celestino are featured in several noteworthy dishes, including the Veal Carpaccio with Fresh Shaved Truffle & Pecorino Cheese; Risotto with Fresh Shaved Truffle; Gnocchi Stuffed with Mushroom in a Truffle Cheese Sauce; and for a lighter alternative, the Filet of Sole with Mixed Vegetables and Shaved Truffles. And Chef Drago’s absolute favorite, the Tortellini with Meat in a Saffron, Pecorino and Black Pepper Sauce with Fresh Truffle, is definitely a must order.

For those who want to take this experience to the next level, Celestino Ristorante also has the incredibly rare White Truffle on hand. Availability is very limited, so ask your server for the daily white truffle specials offered at market price.

The lovely mushroom and truffle seasonal dishes will be available for a limited time so make sure not to hesitate and get them while you can.

Celestino Ristorante is located at 141 South Lake Avenue in Pasadena. Call 626-795-4006.

Story By; Jose Martinez

Photography Courtesy Of: Celestino Ristorante