On the Town: Mushrooms on the Menu in Chicago

We had a guest in town this week. A guest who might rival this site’s editor in terms of mushroom admiration and appetite (might). And because our guest only visits a few times a year, we felt the need to celebrate his appearance with a couple meals that any one of us could crave. By us, I mean you because I struck gold and actually got to sit in on the deliciousness. I’m sorry, I’m not gloating. Much.

The first stop was West Town Tavern, an institution on the Chicago food scene thanks to the lovely Susan Goss who came out of the kitchen to gush about mushrooms with us, thus explaining why they make an appearance in almost every dish.

It was hard to pick a favorite but if you were looking for a hint, I would check out that first photo.  That flatbread is incredible. Mushrooms slow roasted with savory herbs and tossed with truffle oil to create sweet but earthy set of flavors. I get excited a lot but in order for me to avoid using CAPS LOCK, I really just need you to trust me.

The next offering was a petite sampling of  mushroom chowder which was kissed by cream to give it dimension and texture but not thickened to the point of many other restaurant varieties.  Don’t get me wrong, there’s a time and a place for most mushroom chowders, but mid-summer in the Midwest?  Lightness is key.

This was my runner-up for number one dish.  I don’t even know why I’m ranking them because it’s not like I chose between them.  I ate them all.  I shared, but I ate my portions heartily (this is not uncharacteristic).  Pan-Seared Diver Scallops with Mushroom-Leek Risotto, Tarragon and Chives.  Tarragon, eternally French and thus chic in my (cook)book, is underused in my world and this rectified the problem if only for a few bites. With a lightly lemon zing to the sauce and the mushroom textures folded into the risotto, now that I’m talking about it, it makes it hard for me to not just call it a tie.  Not Pictured: West Town Tavern’s famous fried chicken (a Monday special) with mushroom gravy.  I think I ate it too fast to get a photo.

Our lunch stop the following day was to award-winning mushroom burger from the Grand Lux Cafe out for ourselves- with four out of six people at the table ordering it, there was plently to be shared. I liked that they mixed the cheese into the patty itself.  It kept everything bound and made for one seriously satisfying afternoon.

Last but not least, although maybe most petite, was Mana Food Bar‘s mushroom/brown rice sliders.  Small but mighty, these little guys bring the heat and are delicious. Delicious. I highly recommend adding thin cucumber slices to the top and enjoying these alongside the Watermelon Mint cocktail out on the patio on lovely summer night. If you can swing it, you will not be disappointed in another of Chicago’s excellent neighborhood bistros- this one specializes in vegetarian fare but trust me, you will not miss a thing.  With the exception of your appetite, perhaps.

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