The Mushroom Council is touring the nation this spring to spotlight the flavor, versatility and sustainability of fresh mushrooms and the dedication of farmers who help bring this superfood from farm to plate.
The Los Angeles stop of the gourmet roadshow celebrated all things mushroom at a cocktail reception at Century City Italian specialty market Eataly’s Terra Rooftop Restaurant & Lounge on Monday, June 2, 7 pm.
The event launched the restaurant’s month-long Mushroom Monday promotion featuring a mushroom-forward tasting menu of signature dishes and mushroom infused cocktails created by Eataly’s chefs.
Passed appetizers included spiedinos of Cremini mushrooms and cippolini with balsamic. There was fritto of crispy tempura oyster mushroom with thyme aioli. Pizza alla palla featured roasted cremini and button mushrooms with mozzarella and provolone.
Mushroom tasting stations displayed Insalata Spinaci with baby spinach and roasted shiitake mushrooms with sherry vinaigrette and parmigiano. A housemade casarecce pasta featured a mixed mushroom ragù with fresh herbs and Grana Padano. A gnocchi with sausage and oyster mushroom ragù was topped with pecorino romano. Portabella mushrooms were grilled with rosemary oil. A Double R Ranch striploin steak featured maitake compound butter.
Two signature cocktails included Beech, Please! – a white beech mushroom–infused Botanist gin, Campari, Baldoria Umami vermouth. Shroom Service featured Japanese whiskey, shiitake mushroom cordial and soda.
Table displays featured a gamut of mushrooms.
The formal presentation featured remarks by a Mushroom Council spokeswoman and Eataly’s culinary team.
If you hadn’t had your fill of mushrooms yet, there was a gift bag on your way out, with – you guessed it – more mushrooms to cook at home!