Bring on the Fungi. Celebrate National Mushroom Month this September at Prairie Grass Cafe in Northbrook

Mushroom enthusiasts look forward to this time of year. September brings us National Mushroom Month. You can thank the Mushroom Growers Council for helping to popularize this fungus. The month-long celebration was established in 1992 and there’s been no looking back.

Sarah Stegner and George Bumbaris, chef/partners at Prairie Grass Cafe (601 Skokie Blvd., Northbrook, 847-205-4433) have a number of menu items showcasing various types of organic, local mushrooms. "

We buy our Button, Portobello and Shitake mushrooms from farmer Eric Rose of River Valley Ranch in Burlington, Wisconsin, as they are a Certified Organic Farm and the oldest mushroom farm in the Midwest," Sarah says. "All crops are grown without pesticides or chemicals. We connected with them through the Green City Market."

Chef Sarah Stegner

Prairie Grass Cafe has been a popular spot for mushroom dishes for years. They use more than 100 pounds of mushrooms a week. "Mushrooms provide rich earthy flavors that are intense and always so fresh. Out of all of the things that we use that are local, mushrooms impacted the flavors for which we are known the most; we use them in our stocks and sauces." she said.

Prairie Grass Cafe is featuring an amazing mushroom soup ($5.50) as a weekly special this September. The Chefs also recommend the sautéed button mushrooms with red wine sauce to accompany steak dishes as a side ($6). Customer favorites include the Shitake mushrooms marinated with sesame soy sauce, that accompany the Ahi Tuna, seared rare with baby bok choy, shitake mushroom and spicy sesame soy sauce ($32), and Portobello mushrooms sautéed to accompany the Sautéed Lake Superior Whitefish ($21).

Prairie Grass Cafe’s brunch menu features the popular Portobello Mushroom Benedict with two poached eggs over panko crusted Portobello mushrooms, sautéed spinach and lemon Hollandaise ($12.50) available Saturdays and Sundays only; 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday.

Prairie Grass Cafe isn’t alone in their use of mushrooms. Last year, more than 900 million pounds of mushrooms were grown in the United States, with sales exceeding $1 billion. 

Stop by Prairie Grass Cafe this month and enjoy one of your favorites. Call 847-205-4433 to make a reservation.

About River Valley Ranch

River Valley Ranch is the oldest mushroom farm in the Midwest. Bill Rose founded it in 1976 with a sizable goal: he wanted to produce the finest fresh mushrooms for the local market. Son, Eric, joined the operation in 1977, and learned the art of growing mushrooms commercially from his dad. River Valley Ranch still produces fine fresh mushrooms, and also grows other produce, including 20 varieties of heirloom tomatoes, 10 varieties of potatoes, a dozen types of peppers, 10 varieties of onions, asparagus, spinach, Winter squash and more. 

Eric's son Jordan Rose, joined the business one and a half years ago, after working for ten plus years in an array of restaurants in Chicago and Minnesota. He brings his culinary talents to the River Valley Ranch kitchen and is currently focusing on developing a broader line of value-added shelf-stable, frozen and fresh foods that they produce in their kitchen. Eric also is heading-up River Valley Ranch's new Chicago retail/cafe location at 1820 Wilson Ave., opening this Fall. 

All River Valley Ranch crops are grown without pesticides or chemicals. Since 1997, River Valley Kitchens, the farm’s licensed processing kitchen, has produced pickled mushrooms and more than 25 shelf-stable products. All preserved foods are made in small batches and hand packed. The farm’s motto is "Quality, freshness, and lots of Love"

Dover Sole and Maine Lobster Duo at Restaurant Michael Tonight Only

As a perfect way to start the holiday weekend, Restaurant Michael (64 Green Bay Rd., Winnetka; 847-441-3100) is offering a Dover Sole and Maine Lobster Duo tonight only, Friday, July 2 for just $29 (plus tax and gratuity).

The dish is comprised of half of a 1.5 pound Dover Sole (two fillets) and half of a 1.25 pound Maine Lobster (claw, tail and arm meat all shell free). The duo is served with grilled thin asparagus and drawn lobster butter over creamy polenta.

There are just 60 available and the duo must be requested upon making the dinner reservation at (847) 441-3100. For more information about Restaurant Michael, visit www.restaurantmichael.com*

*This special offer is not compatible with Groupon. Groupons are honored as always, but the regular price for the duo will apply

Restaurant Michael announces new Cafe Favorites menu and Writers' Theatre partnership

Chef Michael Lachowicz’s North Shore standout, Restaurant Michael (64 Green Bay Rd., 847-441-3100) announces a new three-course “Café Favorites” menu, as well as a partnership with the Writers’ Theatre (376 Park Ave., Glencoe; 847-242-6000) for its 2009-2010 season.

Three-Course Café Favorites Menu
The new “Café Favorites” menu, which launched Tuesday, August 17, is a three-course café bistro style menu offering patrons a choice from three appetizer selections, three entrée selections and two dessert selections for $34 per person. For an additional $14, guests can add wine paired with the appetizer and entrée courses. The items available on the Café Favorites menu will change every Tuesday.

“The Café Favorites menu is prepared with the same classic French technique as Restaurant Michael’s regular menu,” says Lachowicz. “However, the dishes are more café bistro style, just as sophisticated, but with a less stuffy presentation.”

Sample dishes from the Café Favorites menu include Summer Corn and Tarragon Blinis with shaved fennel, sautéed shrimp and chervil salad; Exotic Mushroom Tart over baby mixed field greens dressed with Roquefort cream and toasted hazelnuts; Classic Steak Frîtes with baby French green beans; Roast Filet of Wild Alaskan Salmon “Marchand de Vin” with red chard and potato gratin; Baked Breast of Free Range Chicken “Dijon” with roast potatoes and carrots; and Peach Filled Crepes with cinnamon whipped cream and toasted chopped pecans.

Dinner Discount with Writers’ Theatre Ticket
For the 2009-2010 season at Writers’ Theatre in Glencoe, patrons can bring their ticket stub to Restaurant Michael to receive a 10 percent discount on their check for a pre-theatre or post-theatre dinner. The discount is valid only on the day of the performance on purchases of $75 or more and cannot be combined with any other special offers or promotions. Alcohol, tax and gratuity are not included.

Performances at Writers’ Theatre are shown at 325 Tudor Ct. (847) 242-9730 or 664 Vernon Ave. (847) 242-9418, both in Glencoe, Ill. For more information about this season’s performances, call the box office at (847) 242-6000 or visit www.writerstheatre.org.

About Restaurant Michael
Restaurant Michael, located at 64 Green Bay Rd. in Winnetka, Ill. 60093, serves classic and modern French cuisine in a contemporary presentation with French country flair. The restaurant is open for dinner Monday through Thursday, 5:30 p.m.- 10:30 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 5:30 p.m.- 11:30 p.m.; and Sunday, 4:30 p.m.- 9 p.m. The restaurant is open for lunch Fridays, 11 a.m.- 2 p.m. Complimentary parking is available. All major cards are accepted. For more information, or to make a reservation, call (847) 441-3100 or visit www.restaurantmichael.com.

Good Karma - New Photos Now Available for Mundelein Hot Spot

If you haven't visited Karma in Mundelein recently, you're missing out. Talented chef Robert Packer dishes out the best contemporary pan Asian cuisine on the North Shore. Karma, fyi, was named one of the best new restaurants in Chicago by North Shore magazine when it opened several years ago and it continues to live up to its reputation. If the great food isn't enough, you'll be pleasantly surprised by the "downtown"décor which is drop-dead gorgeous and the pan-Asian cuisine is simply outstanding.

Chef Packer has designed a varied and exciting new menu that journeys throughout Asia. The dining room is stunning and the lounge is one of the hottest spots around (perfect for after work or weekend cocktails for those in the area or willing to travel north).

In preparation for next week's media dinner, Cindy photographed the delicious new menu items. Here's a sneak peak of some of the items!

Chinese Chopped Chicken Salad, Asian Pepper Short Ribs, Blood Orange Creme


(Left to Right) Whole Tempura Striped Bass, Asian Pepper Short Ribs, Sticky Five Spice Honey Glazed Spare Ribs, Togarashi Seared Ahi Tuna

Cocktails everyone!

Check out these great drinks to go along with the savory dishes: Karma’s refreshing Mai Tai is a delicious blend of Malibu Coconut Rum, Meyers Dark, grenadine, and orange and pineapple juice.

The Geisha Martini is crisp and refreshing with its combination of Absolut Mandarin, Passionfruit, Pom and cranberry juice. Yes please!

Check out more Kurman photos at: Karma