Mendocino Mushroom Madness Press Release
Contact: Bruce Lewis / 707-964-3844 / MendocinoFun.com
MUSHROOM MADNESS GRIPS MENDOCINO COAST
A kind of madness grips the Mendocino Coast each year as the opening of mushroom season (November to May) approaches. “Not surprising,” says mushroom merchant Eric Schramm, “when you consider that our county in an average year produces and sells 300,000 to 500,000 pounds.”
Of the 3,000 mushroom species found in Mendocino County, according to Schramm, “500 are edible, 100 have the texture or presentation a chef can use and 20 are readily identifiable” as most often utilized in cooking. The two most often exported from Mendocino County are matsutake mushrooms (during Japanese New Year) and Horn of Plenty Blacks.
Crazy for Mushrooms
Fall on the Mendocino Coast is a time when inns offer special “mushroom lodging rates,” restaurants devise elaborate menu offerings, winemakers hold wine-food tastings , chefs offer cooking classes and non-profits plan fundraisers around mushroom-laden meals.
If that’s not enough, Coast visitors can view exhibits at Mendocino Headlands State Park’s Ford House Visitors Center or take mushroom identification walks at the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens.
A complete list of “mushroom madness” activities are listed at http://www.MendocinoFun.com/mushroom-madness. Major activities are listed below.
MacCallum House Restaurant
November 8: 8th Annual Mushroom Festival Winemaker Dinner with Executive Chef Alan Kantor, mushroom expert Eric Schramm and winemaker Greg Graziano.
Little River Inn
November 5: Romancing the Fungi Dinner
This is the third year for Little River Inn’s event. It may seem as if romance and the lowly funghi would be an unlikely match, but Little River Inn’s Executive Chef, Marc Dym, and wine buyer, John Sverko, have come up with a romantic, intimate afternoon combining the romance of mushrooms and . . . beer. Yes, this year has a twist. This time local mushrooms are being paired with select brews from Fort Bragg’s North Coast Brewery. Tickets are $30 per person; proceeds benefit the Fort Bragg Food Bank. 3:00 p.m.
November 9: Belgian Beer & Mushroom Dinner with Executive Chef Marc Dym
By popular demand, Little River Inn presents its Third Annual Mushroom and Belgian Beer Dinner. Executive Chef Marc Dym will create five courses, all with mushrooms as the centerpiece. Each course is paired with the perfect imported Belgian beer selected by our beverage expert, John Sverko, who reminds us that, “Beer is to Belgium what wine is to France.” The earthiness of the mushrooms pairs well with Belgian beer, which is renowned for its subtlety and complexity. “We tasted 50 different Belgian beers,” Sverko said, and with tongue in cheek, “it was rigorous, hard work.” Tickets are $85, inclusive, 6:00 p.m.
Little River Inn Special Mushroom Lodging Rate from November 4 - 20, excluding weekends. 7901 N. Hwy 1, Little River, 800-INN-LOVE.
Mendocino Hotel
November 10: Malbec, Merlot & Mushrooms winemaker dinner
Fungi Forage and Portobello Picnic, a workshop called “Life Force: The Healing Power of Mushrooms” (historical uses and modern applications for health), and a workshop called “The Fungi Food Group: Putting Mushrooms on the Menu” (learn to grow gourmet medicinal mushrooms at home).
Albion River Inn
During November, ARI will feature the following dishes featuring local mushrooms: Creamy, Fresh Wild Mushroom Soup with a touch of Sherry, or Wild Mushroom Strudel with tender puff pastry layered with sautéed wild mushrooms & herbs, or Wild Mushroom Pasta, with a medley of roasted mushrooms, roasted garlic, basil, Parmesan cheese, in a cream sauce. 3790 North Highway One, Albion, 707-937-1919
November 13: Bistro Cuisine Cooking Class, where Albion River Inn’s Chef Stephen will feature mushroom inspired dishes in his Bistro Cuisine Cooking Class, as he discusses kitchen tools, ingredients, and cooking methods. Classes are held in ARI’s ocean view restaurant. Cost: $70. 11:30 - 3:30 p.m. Reserve space with Pat Turrigiano at 1-800-479-7944.
Rendezvous Restaurant (Highest Food Rating in Mendocino County, 2008 Zagat Guide, SF/Bay Area Restaurants)
Early November, the golden chanterelles are beginning to come in, and Chef Kim serves escargots in a wild mushroom ragout, served in puff pastry. Or, “escargots forestiers,” as we call them. Dinner entrees would include:
* A takeoff on a traditional pot-au-feu, ours is made with pheasant. The breast is pan-seared, while the leg is boned and made into quenelles. Both are then poached in pheasant stock and served in a double consomme of pheasant with golden chanterelles and braised fall root vegetables.
* Perfect for a rainy night on the coast…Kobe-style boneless beef short ribs, braised and served with a cabernet reduction and sauteed black chanterelles, a trio of fall root vegetable purees, and sage polenta croquettes.
* For lovers of game, a loin of venison is pan roasted with a mustard-herb rub, and served on a wild mushroom polenta with a creamy mustard pan sauce.
Other Events
November 17: St. Anthony’s Second Annual Mushroom Fest
Guests will taste Mendocino’s premier vintners’ wines and Little River Inn’s mushroom appetizers. Silent Auction in Parish Hall, 10700 Lansing St, Mendocino, 707-937-2406, info@stanthonysofmendocino.com
November 17: Wine and Mushroom Train
Visit Camp Mendocino on a wild mushroom tour by a local mushroom expert. Adult $65, Child $25. Departs at 10:00 am, Skunk Train Depot, Foot of Laurel Street, Fort Bragg, 800-866-1690.
November 1-30: Mushroom Exhibit at the Ford House Visitor Center in Mendocino from November 1-30, 2007, 707- 937-5397.
November-January: Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens: Mushroom Identification Walks
Every Monday from November 1 to January 30 - Beginning at 1:30 pm. Join us at the Gardens to see what mushrooms are popping up! Walks begin at the Gardens entrance. Free with Gardens admission.
December 1 and January 12: Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens: Mushroom Identification for Beginners
From 10:00 am to 12:30 pm in the Meeting Room. Learn more about our fall wildflowers and mushrooms! This great workshop will be taught by MCBG Gardener Mario Abreu, and will be followed at 1:00 pm by a mushroom identification walk through the Gardens to test your new knowledge. Limited to 20 people, call 707-964-4352 ext 23 to reserve your space. Free with Gardens admission.
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