La Balena has introduced a limited seasonal menu featuring freshly shaved Black Summer Truffle, available at its Pondok Indah restaurant until the end of August 2026. Spanning carpaccio, pasta, roast chicken and pizza, the four dishes offer Jakarta diners a chance to experience fresh truffle during its brief annual harvest.
Fresh Black Summer Truffle has a softer, earthier aroma than many preserved truffle products commonly used throughout the year. Best enjoyed soon after harvesting, it releases its fragrance as delicate shavings meet the warmth of the plate, adding depth to each bite without overwhelming the dish.
The ingredient’s limited growing season influences how restaurants serve it. Once the harvest ends, supplies fall quickly and fresh truffles become increasingly difficult and costly to source. La Balena’s Black Summer Truffle Season captures this brief window by giving diners the chance to enjoy the ingredient across familiar Italian favourites while it is still at its freshest.
The menu begins with Carpaccio al Tartufo, featuring thin slices of premium tenderloin served with truffle ponzu aioli. Fresh Black Summer Truffle is shaved over the dish before serving to add an earthy finish to the beef and the sharper notes of the ponzu. For pasta, Cacio e Pepe al Tartufo pairs fresh spaghetti with a Pecorino cheese sauce, silky egg confit and fresh truffle shavings. The cheese and pepper provide a rich base, while the egg confit adds texture without competing with the truffle’s aroma.
The Pollo Arrosto al Tartufo presents half a roasted chicken with savoury truffle gravy. Generous shavings of Black Summer Truffle complete the dish for diners who prefer the ingredient alongside roasted meat. Completing the collection is Bianca al Tartufo Pizza, topped with imported burrata, mushrooms and La Balena’s house-made truffle sauce. This combination draws on classic Italian pairings, with the fresh truffle added as the final layer. In this seasonal menu, each dish has been composed to keep the seasonal ingredient clearly present. The truffle supports the tenderloin, Pecorino, chicken, burrata and mushrooms rather than disappearing beneath heavy sauces or excessive seasoning.
“Fresh Black Summer Truffle is a truly seasonal ingredient, and we want our guests to experience it just as nature intended: fresh, aromatic and at its best,” said Ilham Fariz, Head Chef at La Balena. “This menu is our way of celebrating the harvest season and giving our guests the opportunity to enjoy the authentic character of fresh truffle while it is available.”
Located in Pondok Indah, La Balena presents Italian cuisine within a residential-style setting surrounded by greenery. Its dining spaces accommodate intimate dinners, family meals and larger celebrations, making the seasonal menu suitable for a dedicated truffle dinner or an addition to a shared table.
The Black Summer Truffle Season runs until the end of August 2026, with availability dependent on the ongoing harvest and imported supply. Diners planning to try all four dishes may want to reserve early, before the final truffles of the season leave the kitchen!
For reservations, contact +62 816-827-388.
La Balena
Jalan Duta Indah 1 Blok TH No. 6
Pondok Indah, South Jakarta
labalenajkt@gmail.com
@labalena.jkt
