Lion's Mane Mushrooms

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I was browsing around the University District Farmer’s Market and stumbled across these giant, white mushrooms at the Sno-Valley Mushroom stand. When I saw these white, hairy things, I really didn’t know what to think of them - these are mushrooms? I had to try it.

The guy at the stand explained that the mushrooms are a great substitute for seafood because they have similar flavors and textures. He recommended the following simple preparation:

  1. Heat up pan with butter.
  2. Cut Lion’s Mane mushrooms into slices.
  3. Once pan is hot, gently cook the mushrooms until its moisture is evaporated.
  4. Add salt and pepper to taste, then serve.

Mushrooms in general are pretty simple to prepare. Of course, you can dress the recipe up, but I wanted to taste the natural flavors of the mushroom since I was trying it for the first time.

Like the man said, it had a seafood flavor, and the texture tasted quite different from a typical button mushroom. Tasted kind of like crab. I did end up eating it with some stone ground mustard (which was a surprisingly delicious combination) because the mushroom had a slight bitterness to it.

If you ever shop at the University District Farmer’s Market, please check out these mushrooms. Sno-Valley Mushrooms even has a “Grow Your Own” mushroom kit that sits on your kitchen counter! Seems pretty fantastical to me!

Getting our coffee and whiskey on!

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Buena Vista Cafe (Ghirardelli Square - San Francisco)

The Buena Vista is pretty well known for its Irish Coffee. There is a lot of literature on the Internet, so I am not going to belabor their history or popularity. Because it was the first time I was in San Francisco since being 21, and everyone highly recommended it, I had to stop in. Jonathan and I were lucky to find premium seats in front of the production line at the bar, and boy, is it a skill.

I was taken aback when the bartender encouraged us to drink it “piping” hot, but it was the best decision because the fresh, cold cream mixed with the hot coffee and whiskey produced this wonderful well temperate mixture in our mouths.

Apparently, the Buena Vista serves up to 2,000 Irish Coffees a day!