A special evening showcasing the delights of cultivated wild mushrooms was presented at One Sunset restaurant in West Hollywood on July 9. The event was held in conjunction with San Diego County’s Golden Gourmet Mushrooms.
The intent of the evening was to present four uncommon mushroom varieties by showcasing them in different gourmet dishes. The event was a success – some intriguing new dishes were presented and savored by the lucky guests.
Changing Americans’ Mushroom-Eating Habits
Button, crimini and portabella mushrooms are well known in the US. There are hundreds more varieties that are little known here, and thus not widely available. Golden Gourmet Mushrooms, in partnership with the Japan’s Hokto Kinoko Corporation, intends to popularize some lesser-known mushrooms. These certified organic varieties are maitake, king trumpet, brown beech and white beech.
Early Romans referred to mushrooms as the “food of the gods”. It was soon apparent why once we tasted these innovative dishes.
One Sunset’s chef extraordinaire Jason Marcus presented us with six unusual and original dishes. The six items featured some of the four specialty mushrooms. All four varieties were delicious, nutritious and quite unlike the more common mushrooms.
Perhaps the most well-received dish was the “new style sushi roll” featuring ahi tuna enrobed in Kobe beef, resting on a bed of risotto and topped with delicious beech mushrooms and a light sauce of yuzo and soy enhanced with truffle. It elicited many sighs of delight from the group.
Also popular was the Spanish-influenced dish of escebeche of mushrooms adorning a small circle of brioche dressed in a slice of aged manchego cheese and an egg poached in Rioja wine. The medley of flavors was exquisite and greatly enhanced by the unusual mushrooms.
The most surprising mushroom showcased that night was the king trumpet.
I spoke to Steve Farrar, CEO of Golden Gourmet Mushrooms, who told me that this mushroom has the natural attribute of tasting very much like abalone. Steve informed me that they are bringing this mushroom to the attention of the top sushi restaurants in LA, as it’s a great alternative choice for sushi-loving vegetarians.
Once I tasted the king trumpet, I had to agree with Steve’s assessment. Chef Jason presented us with a gorgeous paquete of king trumpet with chorizo and shellfish in a light sauce featuring salsa verde and sherry. We didn’t realize at first that we were eating mushroom until Jason informed us of such. Its unique abalone-like taste is one I look forward to savoring again.
Robust-roasted maitake mushrooms were delicious in a “forest-like presentation” that featured a confit of chicken, foie gras and local honey. Besides tasting delicious, maitake has also been shown to be a medicinal mushroom that strengthens the immune system.
One Sunset server John Harding was complimented on his extremely attentive service. John told me that he feels that his job is to enhance the dining experience: “The chef is the painter and I am like the paintbrush.”
Golden Gourmet mushroom are available in Los Angeles at Bristol Farms, Vons and Mitsuwa Marketplace. For more information about Golden Gourmet mushrooms, check their website at www.goldengourmetmushrooms.com.
For more info on One Sunset restaurant: www.theonerestaurants.com.
