Three Ways to Try Wild and Local Mushrooms This Fall
The haul foraged for Journeyman dinner, Photo via Facebook/Journeyman
Seven-Course Mushroom Tasting at Journeyman
Local foraging experts Ben Maleson and Tyler Akabane are providing the local base for a fungus feast tonight at Journeyman. There are still reservations available for the seven-course meal, which begins with steamed buns filled with mushrooms and seaweed. Other plates include mild, poached gypsy mushrooms with bright cranberry and jalapeño; oaky, smoked hens-of-the-wood with pickles and pumpkin; a giant puffball stuffed with lamb and tongue-of-fire beans; and honey mushrooms with golden beets, bee pollen, and marigold for a semi-sweet final course.
$95 per person, Thursday, October 15 from 5:30 – 10 p.m., 9 Sanborn Court, Union Square, Somerville; tocktix.com.
Wild Mushroom Dinner at T.W. Food
Chef Tim Wiechmann is showcasing the bounty of the forest floor with a six-course dinner two nights next week. Chantarelle, king trumpet, pioppino and other mushrooms show up in six different dishes puréed, powdered, roasted, and more. Try dumplings filled with a matsutake consommé; roasted porcini risotto with ricotta and burgundy truffle; and apple cider beignets filled with mapley—not mushroomy—candy cap pastry cream. A vegetarian menu will also be available.
$85 per person, optional $55 wine pairing available, Wednesday and Thursday, October 21 and 22 from 5 – 9:30 p.m., 377 Walden Street, Cambridge; 617-864-4745.
Truffle Week on Congress Street
White Alba truffles are an Italian delicacy harvested annually, but only for a few months. Menton, Sportello, and Drink are all celebrating the season for a week next month with different specials to showcase the complex, yet delicate-tasting luxury. To take advantage of the truffle in all its glory, splurge on a $295, five-course tasting dinner at Menton. Or, try it tossed with Parmigiano-Reggiano and chives in Sportello’s housemade bigoli ($65). At Drink, the delicacy can accompany the steak tartare for an additional $45.
Monday, November 9 – Saturday, November 14, Menton: 348 + 354 Congress Street, Boston; Menton: 617-737-0099; Sportello: 617-737-1234; Drink: 617-695-1806.
