Madrid Restaurant Specializing in Mushrooms
By: Leah Rodrigues
Published: May 1, 2011

El Cisne Azul (The Blue Swan) is a typical Spanish restaurant. Unimpressive on the outside with only a red awning  with the restaurants name adorned on the front.  There are a handful of table scattered throughout the petite space and a stainless steel bar.  If you decide to eat here, be prepared to get friendly with your neighbors as seating is limited and the restaurant does not take reservations.  

The owner and one of his cooks showing off a crate of mushrooms
While El Cisne Azul has a varied menu but their specialty is mushrooms.  Do not be deceived by this, it is not a vegetarian restaurant.  The mushrooms on the menu are those they can find locally.  It has been know for such varieties as porcini, chantarelle, shitake and enoki to grace the menu.  The mushrooms are usually cooked in lots of good quality Spanish olive oil and paired with a fried egg (yolk used for dipping), foie gras, mussels, and pungent cheeses.  Is this the new trend or is El Cisne Azul one in a million?  Only time will tell if chefs decide to make a veggie or fungi the star.
Photos By: No Se Le Puede Llamar Cocina