It’s that time of year again: mushroom season is starting. While most of the fascinating plants don’t raise their hats until the fall, some species, such as the chanterelle, are already at the starting line in summer. In these Berlin restaurants, the chanterelles are prepared especially well.
The chanterelle season lasts from June to October. Its striking yellow color not only makes this forest dweller almost unmistakable, but because oft hat has also earned it the German name “Eierschwamm”, meaning „egg sponge“. Thanks to its earthy, intense taste, chanterelles have become an indispensable part of the kitchen – whether in salads, soups, as a side dish with meat dishes or as the star of culinary creations.
Chanterelles at the Ganymed Brasserie
The “Ganymed Brasserie” is located directly on the Spree, opposite Friedrichstraße station. The elegant terrace is the perfect place to enjoy the restaurant’s French cuisine, which is featuring two chanterelle dishes this summer. First, there is the pot au feu with Havel zander as the main ingredient, complemented by young spinach, potatoes, saffron, chanterelles, and beurre blanc, which costs €29.50. Second, there are slices of veal fillet with sautéed chanterelles, grilled pak choi, sesame oil, bacon, and apple slices for €36.
Ganymed Brasserie, Schiffbauerdamm 5, 10117 Berlin, www.ganymed-brasserie.de
Chanterelles at Bundesbüdchen
The “Bundesbüdchen” restaurant, just around the corner from Oranienburger Tor, is brand new. Refreshingly, the usual accompaniment to chanterelles, cream sauce, is nowhere to be found here. Instead, chef Johann Maier serves homemade oxtail ravioli with fresh chanterelles, stracciatella, and peppers for €21 during the season, as well as cheese dumplings with herb salad, pumpkin seed oil, and, yes, chanterelles for €22. And on the lunch menu, you can even get the dumplings for an unbeatable €15.
Bundesbüdchen, Hannoversche Str. 2, 10115 Berlin, www.bundesbuedchenberlin.de
Chanterelles at Fischer & Lustig
Very close to the capital’s second most important center of power, the Red Town Hall, the team at “Fischer & Lustig” usually serves the most delicious fish dishes. But when it comes to the star ingredient, chanterelles, they pull out all the culinary stops. For starters, we recommend the chanterelle cream soup with herbs for €9.50 or the hearty chanterelle sandwich with scrambled eggs and fresh goat’s cheese for €14. If you’re feeling hungrier, go for the chanterelle noodle pan with mature cheese for €19.50 or – for a taste of the sea! – the fried scallops with vanilla chanterelle salad and potato rösti for €18.50.
Fischer & Lustig, Poststraße 26, 10178 Berlin, www.fischerundlustig.de
Chanterelles at Carl & Sophie
And chanterelles with a view of the Spree again, but this time in Moabit. At “Carl & Sophie”, proximity to the water is the order of the day, because the mushroom dish of the season is a Bodden zander with chanterelles, green asparagus, and a parmesan cream to die for. For €34. And the beautiful view of the Spree is free.
Carl & Sophie, Alt-Moabit 99, 10559 Berlin, www.carlundsophie.de
