I was at dinner at a very, very high end restaurant and saw, on the menu, gyramitra mushrooms. I was totally shocked and called the waiter over and asked if this was meant as an "inside joke," since those are false morels. He said no that they offer them often. I mentioned that I was a toxicologist, and they contain a serious toxin that can cause seizures and death, monomethylhydrazine. He came back a little later to say the chef, the owner, said if you know how to cook them you neutralize the toxin. I decided not to argue and said, i respectfully disagree and would send the owner some literature. The former governor of the state was eating dinner there that night. He must have overheard our conversation. I heard him say to the waiter, I know that doctor and you should listen to him. The next day I did send the owner a letter explaining the situation and literature, both toxicology and from other chefs, the bottom line was that it is too dangerous, even if you think you know what you are doing! Two weeks later he responded that he never had a problem before, but will never serve them again.
