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Category: American (New) [Edit]
Neighborhood: Flatiron23rd St-Park Ave S (6)
23rd St-Broadway (R, W)
23rd St-6th Ave (F, V)
Mon-Fri. 12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Mon-Fri. 5:30 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Sat. 5:30 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
"Whether you are here for lunch or dinner, this place is always a winner. (haha) Because I work down the street, I frequent this place a few…" read more »
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Chef Daniel Humm has transformed Danny Meyer's Eleven Madison Park into one of the finest restaurants in the city. Having hand-picked Daniel from Campton Place in San Francisco, this was a match made in heaven.
The space is open and airy, yet intimate and inviting. The multi-level dining room is fairly large, and the bar area is also a fair size, with a smattering of small tables. We were fortunate to snag a reservation at a peak hour (7pm) and were given a lovely corner banquette.
We chose the eleven-course Gourmand Tasting Menu with wine pairing, which was a 5.5 hour tour of culinary delights. Some of the standouts were the sweetbreads sautéed with artichokes, black truffles and smoked marble potatoes, the terrine of foie gras with golden pineapple, pickled pearl onions and rum raisin brioche, and the outstanding cheese course, presented tableside. Chef Humm made his way to our table and chatted with us about his amazing creations. He was extremely gracious and humble.
The bill might alarm you, as eleven courses at Eleven Madison don't come cheap ($300 per person with pairing). But it's an experience you won't soon forget.
I think the best way to review Eleven Madison Park experience is to start from the beginning.
Walking up your breath is taken away at the sheer magnitude of the entrance. The sign is perfectly lit, small, and elegant; and the revolving doors are wide enough for you and your date to walk through at the same time. You know you're in for something special.
Immediately upon walking in you are greeted by the hostess and two back hostess' that begin helping you with your coats. You are smiled at and welcomed, I mean sincerely welcomed by each waiter that steps out of your way as you walk to your table. Now it begins.
We were sat in a perfect little nook in the back left corner of this towering establishment. The decor in here really is breathtaking, massive pillars, tree branches lined with glass flower pots, while small flowers hang from the trees. The bar is bigger than you'd expect and sits in the far right corner. The layout of the restaurant is spacious, and the tables are designated just right.
We were greeted immediately by Kevin who offered us a choice of water, the wine menu, and the cocktail menu. He then returned asking if we wanted to take a look at the menu. I had called earlier to add a little something special to the top of our menu and sure enough, without asking, mentioning anything to anyone, my girlfriend opened her menu to "Happy Early Valentine's Angel!". She did a double take and then couldn't quit smiling. It was a wonderful start.
We ordered the Eleven Course "Gourmand" tasting menu. It begins with small hors d'oeuvres sampler and then the courses begin to roll out. I don't want to give away too many of the dishes because the surprise is half the fun but I will touch upon a few:
The Foie Gras Terrine with Golden PIneapple, Pickled Pearl Onions, and Rum Raisin Brioche was one of the best, richest appetizers you could ask for. The Foie Gras had so much flavor, great textures perfectly offset by the pineapple and pickled onions it really was an extraordinary flavor combination.
The Everglades Frog Legs Sauteed with Parsley and Porcini Custard. Presented in a 5oz rocks glass with a foam frappe on top, just really an interesting dish that allows you to throw away any notions you previously had about frog legs. The only previous time I've had frog legs they were grilled and this was an entirely different taste.
The Nova Scotia Lobster Poached with Piment d'Espelette, Celery, and Meyer Lemon. This was the best prepared lobster dish I've ever had. The Lemon Paste in the corner as tart as it was went perfect with the slight spice of the light cream sauce. Truly amazing.
The Milk Fed Veal with Braised Cheeks and Black Truffles. You've never had Veal prepared this well. You could cut with your fork. So much flavor. This was our last entree.
One of the Desserts was the Soda Pop , with citrus base. I wont give this dessert away but I do suggest you visit before the Winter Tasting Menu (that its featured on) ends and you can't experience this unique culinary contraption.
The other courses, all amazing, and some too special to give away. I will touch on quickly. Black Truffle molecular gastronomy prepared right at your table, the quail!, beets (enough said youll see), cheeses from heaven, goats milk butter. The rest you really need to experience.
The service: well I don't think theres much to be said that your not expecting. Its immaculate. However what should be said is how for lack of a better word "unstuffy" it feels in Eleven Madison Park. Everyone is warm, everyone is friendly, there is no pretense.
The drinks: the ones prepared from the bar were quite good. They seem to be going for tart rather than sweet which was a little unexpected but it does go nicely with the meals. The bottle of white (Prigorio) we ordered was nice, bright, and grassy.
We received our custom menus when we left, however we received no tin or any other trinkets as other people had mentioned in their reviews. That was a little disappointing. Still, even as we were the second to last to leave, the hostess at coat check was so warm and energetic it just made you feel like the night had just begun again. Thats quite a compliment after a four and half hour meal (We arrived at 9:15 and left closing in on 2:00).
So how to describe Eleven Madison Park? I would say if you have been to any other New York Times Four Stars in the city, compare this to their younger, hipper, but still mature brother. Its not quite as proper, but its precise; not quite as pompous, but is respectful; not quite as by the numbers in terms of food, but is exciting! This is an experience you must have if you enjoy great food, and great service. You will not be disappointed.
I wonder if I'm going to get lynched for this, but I was rather disappointed by my experience at Eleven Madison.
Now, I still gave it 4 stars because the combined score, food, service, ambiance, etc. was worth that much. However, I will probably not be returning to this place.
Maybe it was because my friends hyped this place up too much that my friend and I were really excited when we sat down. We had been trying forever to come here and finally managed to book a time for lunch. This place is beautiful. No other word for it. We got there a little before lunch time and it was a grand sight when the servers finished briefing and spilled out into the restaurant.
We separately ordered the 2 and 3 course sets and shared everything. The complementary appetizer was cute but we really couldn't decipher what it was (and didn't listen carefully enough when we were told). We had the Tuna Tartare, halibut, Salmon, suckling Pig and slow poached egg. Our favorite was the Tuna Tartare. It was simply outstanding! The Halibut, salmon, and pig, while all cooked to perfection, were a bit bland. We do not recommend the egg.
We both love dessert, but the desserts at Eleven Madison were... meh. We ended up grabbing a cake at Cafe Zaiya on our way walking uptown.
In general, I'm still glad I tried this out because the experience itself was really nice... but the food... not the best I've had.
Flawless. Period. These guys know how to do large scale, impressive NYC fine dining - no question about it.
Between my girlfriend and I, we have tried the a majority of the critically acclaimed restaurants in the city. However, for some inexplicable reason, this place had never really been high up on our radar screens. Since she and I always try to out-do each other with surprises for where we take each other on our birthdays, when I read the NYT review over the summer of 2009 raising the rating again to 4 stars (making it amongst a handful of restaurants with that honor), I figured it'd be a great place for her birthday.
First of all, the setting - an absolutely grand marble building that is reminiscent of the most beautiful parts of Grand Central station with vaulted ceilings unlike anything I've seen in a Manhattan restaurant. This is paired with absolutely towering floor to ceiling windows that really create an impressive atmosphere inside. We arrived and were just breath-taken. From there, we were swiftly greeted and seated, and they brought out the menu. I'd called ahead to let them know it was my girlfriend's birthday, and they had gone to the trouble of having specially printed menus made that said "Happy Birthday" with my girlfriend's name on it - a really thoughtful and elegant touch that left us with a terrific memento from the evening.
Then - the onslaught of food started. We decided to splurge and get the Chef's Tasting menu - and let me tell you, it does not disappoint. To give you a sense, we arrived for our 9PM reservation, and we left somewhere between 1 and 2 in the morning after what felt like more food than I've ever consumed in my life. Yet, every course was memorable - no throwaways - and the balance the chef uses with light (and amazing executed) forays into molecular gastronomy were simply unreal. The "caprese salad" course was 2 orbs - one white and one clear - served up in soup spoons. When you put them in your mouth, nothing short of a flavor explosion just takes over - it was the purest rendition of both the tomato and mozzarella flavors I have ever experienced. From there on out, it was just course after course of perfect food.
Further, oftentimes at restaurants of this caliber, everyone (including the wait staff) can take themselves a little too seriously. Not here - everyone from the greeting staff to the maitre'd to the sommelier to our waiter was well-mannered, friendly, helpful and funny. And they were ON IT. At one point, I accidentally brushed my silverware and it nearly soundlessly fell the ground. There was absolutely no one around that could have seen or heard it, yet within 30 seconds (literally in the time it took for me to lean over and pick it up and sit up again) a server was heading towards our table with a completely new set of silverware for me - just impeccably executed service.
So, the feast went on for nearly 4 hours and was capped off by what felt like 2 or 3 deserts and a special birthday desert, as well as a replica of the caviar tin we had enjoyed as our first course with a foldout printout of the exact meal we had enjoyed - really thoughtful and impressive evening that is honestly up there in my top 5 dining experiences in NYC. These guys deserve every word of praise that has been heaped upon them in the last few years.
"I feel pretty, Oh, so pretty, I feel pretty and witty and bright! And I pity... any girl who isn't me tonight!!!"
The lunch at 11 madison had me singing and clicking my heels well after I left...
and for 28 DOLLARS! THATS RIGHT... TWENTY-EIGHT!
(and it's probably going to be even better when I go again because I feel I didn't order as well as I could have.)
My friend and I came for this unbelievably priced 2 course prix fixe. (When I first read about what you get for $28 in http://newyork.serious... , my eyes popped out like a cartoon dog seeing a hot piece of tail.) Not to mention that in addition to these 2 courses, there was delicious bread and butter, gougéres, and an amuse bouche. Also, my friend is a pastry chef at Per Se, which meant 3 oversized portions from the dessert cart free of charge (usually $12 a plate). Some kind of cheese tart/cake with pine nuts, an carmelized apple pastry thing, and something chocolate-y... I dunno, I dun really care for desserts.
ANYWAY, to start, I had seared sea scallops with chestnuts and butternut squash. As soon as I smelled the dish, I swore I heard Frank Sinatra singing next to me... "Chestnuts roasting on an open fire... Jack Frost nipping at your nose... Yuletide carols being sung by a-" Excuse me, memories of those aromas get me all dreamy. Back to the food. It really felt like Christmas on a plate, my nose taking me back to a holiday season I already miss. Tasting it wasn't as spectacular, however. It certainly was delightful, but not extraordinary.
My friend's linguini with alaskan king crab, however, WAS spectacular. It sang through the simplicity of its butter and lemon, bite after luscious bite of pasta and crab. It kinda made me regret not ordering that dish for myself.
As an entree, I had the pork duet. The loin, a cut I don't usually care for when I eat my piggies, was cooked perfectly, tender and surprisingly flavorful. The pork belly was a whole bunch of fun too with its crispy skin and fat. Then there were the royal trumpet mushrooms (I 'effin LOVE mushrooms), scrumptious, meaty little things that really made the pork dance to its earthy tune.
Finally, there was an incredibly tasty bouillabaise with bits of chorizo, adding a smokey note that harmonized wonderfully with the sweet medley of snapper, mussels, and clams.
All in all, FANTASTIC.
Usually, an eating experience involves 4 of the 5 senses: sight, touch, smell, and taste. At Eleven Madison Park, you hear your meal sing to you too...
which in turn, makes you leave singing..
"I feel charming! Oh, so charming! It's alarming how charming I feel!
And so pretty... that I hardly can believe I'm real!! FA LA LA LA LA..."
So good it kept me up at night reliving the experience. Not much I can say that hasn't already been said. All of the food was unbelievable, but my boyfriend had a steak that was probably the single best bite of steak I've had in my life. The service is insanely attentive - at one point I had to remind myself not to make accidental eye contact with the waitstaff lest they come sprinting over to attend to me.
For me, the best part was that, even though we were clearly the youngest and poorest people in the restaurant, the experience didn't falter one bit. The sommelier treated us as respectfully as he did the $800 a bottle tables; one waiter saw our hesitation over what to do with the amuse bouches and came over to offer advice and a wink; we still went home with a yummy box of treats like the big spenders. This will bring me back with people who CAN spend a ton in the future.
Also: AMAZING people watching.
The best meal I've had in my life AND the best service!!! What more can you ask for?!
I'm a big-time foodie and love the adventure of trying new restaurants. My sister and bro-in-law, a chef himself, highly recommended Eleven Madison. They said the food is amazing, but the service is outstanding. And it's true...
We had lunch there Tuesday of Thanksgiving week 2009. We were promptly greeted and escorted to our table by a very sweet and friendly host. We had the 3-course tasting menu which is an ABSOLUTE steal at $42!!!! How is this even possible?!
I got the Big Eye Tuna, Linguini with Alaskan Crab and the Suckling Pig. The linguini was heavenly - you can feel the love that was used when preparinging this homemade pasta. The crab was as sweet as candy. The combination was like a gift from the food gods.
There are no words that can justly describe the suckling pig. I've never eaten so slowly... I wanted the meal to last forever so I could savor every single bite. The skin was perfectly crisp and golden brown. The meat was incredibly moist and tender. It was nicely complemented with the onion soubise, which was flavorful yet subtle.
The soft bread and tasty amuse bouche were also nice touches. Plus, they shot a scene from "Sex and the City" there, so it was nice to experience it for myself.
Eleven Madison is a must for anyone who eats! Skip this and you will absolutely regret it!
Shadi M's review inspired me to reminisce about one of my favorite dining destinations. Simply one of the best - incredible decor, attentive staff and food that will blow your mind.
This is also where Carrie stormed out on Big during lunch. So, if you're still watching your SATC DVD set trying to decide if that HBO subscription is still worth it, come on down: dinner at Eleven Madison Park is worth every penny.
This meal, no, experience, completely blew my mind.
This was the first meal I've eaten alone, and it was magnificent. Not because I hate the world and talking to people, but because the food and atmosphere completely enraptured me, so much so that I totally forgot the curious eyes that would glance over at the starry-eyed girl alone with her camera. I think I was half-breathless when the food came; I was certain I murmured audible sounds of happiness every time I took a bite.
I tried vainly to restrain my wallet to the $29 2-course prix fixe (which is, btw, just enough if you want to save room for dessert) but my roving eyes and ears overheard "sea urchin" "cappuccino" "peekytoe crab" and I was lost. I leaned over and the waiter almost immediately appeared. In exact words: "Can I have.... that? I don't care if it costs more.. I just want it." Yes, it cost more... $15 more for a tiny cup lined just under the halfway mark but... well, I'm writing about it, so you know it's worth it.
The other dishes that "made" my meal were the sunchoke veloute with pear and hazelnuts (a pre-app, if you will), and the pork prepared three ways (rack, loin, and belly). Though the belly was predictably delicious, I was most surprised by how supple and flavorful the loin could be. Would probably pass on the diver sea scallop next time, which was probably the only minor flaw in the food. Unfortunately (or fortunately for my wallet), I was far too full to manage dessert, especially their portions are really meant for two (or one really fat person).
Somehow my meal ended up costing $65 (tip/tax, no alcohol, only iced tea) but I left euphoric, in mind and body.
Easily one of the best meals of my life. Every detail was near or at perfection. Close to a religious experience for me.
Service - read your mind. So professional and polished. Tons of staff to take care of you. I care a lot about good service and it was spectacular here.
Decor - simple elegance. Love the former bank vault room. Every detail is beautiful. Lots of fresh flowers with no scent to interfere with your food and wine. They get it here,
Food - wows on almost every course. Complex flavors that blend together with perfect harmony. Amazing precision. I was floored by what I ate. Chef Humm is a real talent in the kitchen.
It doesn't come cheap but it is worth every penny. The wine list is deep although expensive. The wine service is extraordinary. Corkage is worth it at $35 a bottle.
A special occasion place for me and it delivered perfectly. Bravo!
Eleven Madison Park is all Class!!! From the moment you walk in to the moment you walk out, the experience is amazing. There is something about Eleven Madison Park that makes you feel automatically sexier, more elegant, and regal. The wine list is fabulous, huge selection by the glass and by bottle. The waiters are impecable, and the food is out of this world. Mark my words, if you eat here just once, you will be wanting to go back for more.
Maybe I'll forever be a supporter of mom & pop's restaurants.
I enjoyed my experience at EMP, but in the end, I think my true love is still my no-frill regulars. As I read their lunch prix fixe menu, all the offerings aren't vegetarian/vegan friendly, but I made a call and informed them that I'm a vegan, so the hostess said the kitchen would have some appropriate dishes for me to choose upon my arrival.
Service definitely trumped the food, especially my specially prepared vegan amuse bouches. Food is great. My mother enjoyed her sweetbread (but fried??) and striped bass (not an environmentally friendly dish, but oh well) was luscious and tender. It didn't even need the additional of chorizo pieces. When I dine in high end restaurants, I always look forward to the bread service. Yes. Unlimited carbs? Sign me up! There was a choice of olive baguette and mini french roll. I thought the rolls were a bit har to bite into, especially the pointy end of the french roll. Ouch. Nevertheless, I wasn't shy to get a second (and third) helping.
My appetizer was the beet salad (veganized). Basically, it's like 6 pieces of amuse bouche. I tried to stopped myself from eating too fast as I MUST savor the fresh taste and the meticulous cubical cut of this root vegetable. For my entree, I had a plate of roasted vegetables, fingerling potatoes and sliced mushrooms. Some of the mushroom pieces were over burnt, but I enjoyed the potatoes and the bright green leek puree at the bottom. It's definitely not a 'big' plate and am surprised at the lack of protein even if it's a vegan dish.
I saw neighboring fish and meat dishes that looked really delicious. So as a vegetarian, it is difficult to feel 'full' unless you take advantage of the unlimited bread service. There's a dessert cart that got wheeled over for your viewing (a taste to self-control), but we declined and headed over the Shake Shack for their Friday theme custard. Overall, I think I'll remember EMP for their service the most.
I'm pleased to present this year's Ooo! Dalishis! MVP award to EMP.
I hadn't dined at Eleven Madison Park since it went all Kings of Leon circa 2008- and I'm happy to report that unlike arrogant, success-intoxicated rock bands, this lot has *really* stepped up its game.
The vaulted ceilings and modestly deco decor have always struck me as iconically Old New York - ever since my very first Restaurant Week visit in 2004. Luxurious sprays of scarlet blooms set to advantage under warm lighting, and a slightly too-obsequious wait staff (we were interrupted by a maître d', a server and a sommelier before we had a chance to open the menu) made me feel elegant and important (if not completely at ease).
The seven course (5 savory, 2 sweet) "tastes of autumn" (a little Hickory Farms for me) was flawless. The thing I didn't like about Le Bernardin (WOW, snob much?) is that it felt like all calculating technique and no love. These savvy savories were quirky (sea urchin 'cappachino'? Adorable!; the dreamy prawns were wrapped in creamy avocado slivers), perky (gingerbread puree and spice plum enlivened venison and suckling pig, respectively) and even a little silly (dessert arrived on a ceramic pillow).
Complimentary AYCE macaroons, AYCD digestif and a brief preprandial audience with the illustrious Daniel Humm really packaged the experience in good will and lovingly curled taffeta ribbon. I didn't feel rushed, cheated, or like a kid playing dress up (as is the case in so many stuffy, huffy $$$$, **** venues) but like a guest sincerely welcomed into a very charismatic acquaintance's home. As such, one prevalent, singular response, aside from wonder and contentment, was gratitude.
So succumbing to the New York Times four-star review lure, I had a delightful meal here last night as a pre-Christmas celebration.
What can I possibly add that Frank Bruni has not already stated in his review of EMP?
The execution was flawless, the food was inventive and thoughtful, the service was excellent.
What sets EMP apart from the Le Bernardins and Jean Georges of the world is the unfaltering attention to every aspect of our meal. We were presented with an assortment of mini-appetizer - a heirloom tomato marshmallow, a foie gras macaron, sweetbreads, goat cheese. This was followed by the amuse bouche of sunchoke and pear soup with a brittle crisp. And then, the bread with two butters - a sheepsmilk unsalted butter and a salted goat's milk butter. 2 BUTTERS. I told the server that butter is my favorite food. Unclassy, but true.
I was full before my appetizer came. I'm serious.
The sommelier stopped by our table and recommended a beautiful Oregon pinot that was promptly decanted and served.
The entrees were wonderful but by that point, I was already full. For shame, Jen C., for shame.
But alas - there is always room for dessert! I opted for the vanilla souffle with passionfruit and my boyfriend ordered vanilla ice cream. Vanilla ice cream. To each his own. The souffle was delicate and light - the perfect ending to my meal. But of course, the staff presented us with another dessert on the menu gratis. The sheep's milk cheesecake was delicious - slightly savory and served with a tart sorbet.
OK, at this point - I was ready to throw in my napkin and roll home. But the server appeared yet AGAIN with a tray of assorted macarons. We sampled 7 different macarons. My boyfriend mentioned he liked the peanut butter and jelly macaron and without a word, the server dropped an extra macaron on his plate.
This is what good service is made of folks.
OK - so as we are about to leave, the server reappears again! With a box of sweet treats to take home.
Alright, I just gained about 5 pounds in 3 hours.
First, when I walked in, they said my name right away -- felt like arriving at a familiar place. Took my coat, didn't give me a coat tag. By the way, this was my first time there.
The layout is gorgeous -- beautiful lighting, huge tall ceilings, very open and unstuffy. The crowd was older and stuffy though except the blonde in front of me who looked so excited and starstruck to be here, with her date who looked bored and on had the "im only taking you here so you will come home with me, let's get this over with" look.
Moving on to the food:
Gougéres
Puffy, buttery. Good not great. I ate one and was done.
Amos bouche
5 pieces
Beet marshmallow - very unique. Beautiful texture and flavor, lingered in my mouth after nicely.
Goat cheese - amazing!
Foie gras - very nice
The 2 others - forget the names, remember the taste - excellent.
Beautiful presentation as well.
At this point in the meal, the chef walked around and greeted people with a smile. Nice touch. A waiter came to the table next to mine and I saw him perfectly iron the table sheet cover. I mean perfectly. Attention to detail folks.
Amos bouche part 2
I thought the first thing was the amos bouche. I guess it wasn't. A mushroom soup was. A beautiful rich flavor, served at the right temperature. Delicious.
Bread
French baguette and olive bread
2 butters - unsalted butter and salted goat's milk butter from california - very interesting. I loved unsalted butter with sea salt on the side, what can I say.
Gnocchi -- "Lynnhaven Farms Goat's Milk Ricotta - Gnocchi with Artichokes, Taggiasca Olives and Bacon"
Rich, very high quality ingredients. Very different from normal gnocchi and the portion side was right
Dover sole - "Bouillabaisse - Dover Sole with Bouchot Mussels, Bay Scallops, Nova Scotia Lobster and Chorizo"
Very good, complex flavors, high quality seafood. Didn't care for the chorizo oil though. A great dish, not mind blowing (like for example the sea bass at Gilt).
Chocolate peanut butter pallette with popcorn ice cream
HOLY COW - now this was amazing. Creative, delicious, beautifully presented! Popcorn ice cream was a great touch and so so good. This dessert was off the charts.
Macaroons
Spectacular! Beautiful selection, style of serving them, and presentation.
After dinner box of jelly candies
Very classy touch. Beautiful box. Haven't eaten them yet to judge. Nice surprise at the end of the meal.
Overall, a fantastic meal. Service was friendly, attentive, world class. They sprung to action if ever there was a crumb on my table, smiled when I asked for something. The waiter was very friendly and warm. When I left, they had my coat within seconds and put it on me with a smile. The woman gave me a genuine thank you and have a good night as I left. Service really really stands out here.
4.5 star food. 5.5 star service = 5 stars! (I don't give 5 stars easily to restaurants).
I have been going to Eleven Madison Park for several years now. First off the space is really nice. High ceilings and an open feeling. Doesn't feel crowded when it's actually packed.
They have changed their menu several times through the years, and this latest iteration is quite nice. I have been for both lunch and dinner.
The tuna tartare, scallops and butternut squash/mission fig are great to start with. The Bouillabaisse, Lamb and Poached Lobster are excellent entrees.
Service is impeccable and don't forget desert. Their pistachio and roasted fig tart is soo soo good. And the Tahitian Vanilla Soufflé is superb!
The lunchtime crowd is all business since it's in the Credit Suisse building, and the dinner crowd tends to be a mix of business/older more established crowd.
They used to serve brunch, but stopped a few years ago. I wish they would bring it back, they served great brunch.
Every once in a while, something or someone will remind you of your own short comings and human frailty. Reading Vladimir Nabokov makes me feel like an idiot, studying a Picasso makes me acutely aware of how right brained I am, and listening to Mozart makes me curse my tone-deafness.
And I lament that i'll never be able to cook as technically proficient or imaginatively as Daniel Humm of Eleven Madison Park.
On our visit, Chef Humm gregariously glided around the dining room in his whites, politely inquiring diners on his food. It's hard to imagine Humm, a towering and almost unwieldy Swiss, preparing the exquisite line-up of amuse bouche that started our Autumn tasting menu, but the tasty little bites were elegant and certainly amusing.
The food was technically brilliant, swaying between classic French techniques and the nouvelle. For example, I couldn't help but smile as a savory matsutake sabayon foam was siphoned table-side onto our Dover sole, which was cooked en sous vide.
A technically proficient hand was needed to tournee the delicate sheet of avocado that wrapped a roulade of barely poached Hawaiian prawns. Classic techniques also made an appearance on a course of crispy suckling pig with confit of cranberry chutney and a five spiced jus.
Technical aspect aside, there's a voracious attention to detail in both the food and service. Our bread course came with the choice of salted butter from Vermont, or unsalted butter from California (served with a vessel of fleur de sel). The service was flawless, evidenced by truly excellent and patient suggestions from the Sommelier as well as a careful respect for food allergies.
But the food was also whimsical and imaginative, such as a foamed sea urchin 'cappuccino' with peeky toe crab, served in a snow white ersatz sea urchin carapace.
Or the fluffy kir royale lemon meringue with cassis, served on a pillow textured plate. The meringue was topped with a crispy champagne tuile, which provided an effervescence reminiscent of pop rocks (and made me giggle like a little school child).
Eating this meal was bittersweet. The food was nearly perfect and it served as a stinging reminder that the lowly home cook will never reach the level of culinary proficiency exhibited at Eleven Madison Park. Assessing my few strengths and many weaknesses, my only solace is that I can probably write better Yelp reviews than Chef Daniel Humm.
Eleven Madison Park has long been my choice for most beautiful dining room in the city, but I had not been back for dinner since the recent annointment of the four stars. Man, oh man, they have taken things to a whole new level. One of the best meals I have had.
Let's start with the bar (we did). If you're serious about your beverages, this should definitely be on your list of places to go. Cocktails are done right, with top quality ingredients and attention to detail, with many ingredients made in-house. You can also order some menu items at the bar, which is a good thing now that reservations are hard to come by. The bartenders are well-informed, so you might even get a little education with your drink.
Dinner: In addition to the 3-course prix fixe, there are tasting menus of 11 and 5 courses, respectively. While the prices are not an everyday indulgence, I thought they were an absolute bargain for the quality of the food, the overall experience, and the many extra touches. We, a cynical bunch at best, were all truly blown away by our meals. Honorable mention goes to the cold foie gras, which was like meat butter, and the venison, which was more tender than the best beef filet and was paired with some truly incredible, complementary flavors. We brought a man who knows his wine and he deemed the list excellent, as were the wines he chose. Excellent service, a knowledgeable staff, and we as guests were treated very well. A first class, top-notch experience; absolutely superb.
Eleven MP has only one 2010 Michelin star, but I would rank it at least with two, just behind Jean-Georges. For Yelp's star ratings, it's still a four - fantastic cocktails, exquisite cuisine, impeccable service and amazing ambiance.
The five of us started at the bar where the unique cocktail list is presided over by bar-tending staff who take their time creating each concoction. After an hour sampling cocktails - all fantastic - we were seated at an excellent table with what seemed like an army of waiters, servers and attendants. Each course was almost perfect - delicate flavors and excellent wine selection with an equally exceptional Sommelier. Service was smooth, if just a little forced.
The decor and ambiance of the place (a former bank lobby - think marble, stone, brass) round out the experience - a cavernous space with huge windows and, on the night we were there, amazing floral arrangements climbing five feet into the air.
This may go without saying, but be prepared to drop more than a few pennies here - combined bar/table bill came to $1,300 for our party of five and could easily have been more had we ordered the chef's tasting menu.
One of my favorite dining destinations in the city.
Flawless service, amazing food. Try the blue-foot chicken for two - moist and delicious.
I really need to eat here more frequently...
Overall a good experience for lunch. I don't have much to add about the food. It was overall done extremely well, and the place is beautiful.
My main issue is the service. Let me first say the service is great. It's just so turned up that to me it didn't feel genuine. The people, from the hostess, to the waiter, to the people that refill your glasses and bring you bread, they all seem like robots. I have been to many places where the food may not be as technically proficient, but the flavors are still good and the people seem more real. I'm sure there may be a place for what feels like pretension, and I'm confident they aren't going for that. It just wasn't for me.
Went there for dinner last Saturday. Our dining experience near perfect from start to finish. Elegant and prompt service, great wine recommendations, reasonable price for the 3 course prix fixe, amazing amuse bouche, great appetizers, very competent main course, and phenomenal dessert. I save my five stars for the Ritz Carlton Dining Room and the French Laundry, so four stars is the most that any restaurant is likely to get.
One slightly sour note was our inquiry about the Valentine's Day Dinner and the subsequent jaw-dropping announcement that Eleven Madison Park will charge $275 (!!!!) per person (!!!!) for that special occasion. Yes. Per Person. That's $45 more than the French Friggin' Laundry! Seriously?! I'd feel like I'd been had if I sit down to a romantic Valentine's Day Dinner and be presented with the option of a) dropping $1000 for two ($550 for food, plus wine and tip) or b) looking like a complete douche nozzle and leaving the restaurant.
Two weeks ago my husband hosted a dinner for 4 in celebration of my 50th birthday. We enjoyed the 11-course gourmand tasting menu and it was a night I will never forget. Jeff, the sommelier that evening, and Kevin, who served us, provided PERFECT service and were fun. No stuffiness, but rather, exquisite elegance with nothing ignored.
I have celiac disease, which can make dining out a challenge. My husband shared my diagnosis when he made the reservation and he was informed that this presented no issue for the chef.
Each course was more incredible than the previous one. I cannot begin to recite the amazing dishes prepared for the four of us....and mine were exactly like the others...beautiful and spectacular....but, of course, gluten-free. This was no small feat. The staff was unflappable and seemed to enjoy providing me with a dining experience that I had not been able to enjoy in many years.
We dined for five hours. When we departed at midnight, Jeff and Kevin came to the table with a bag that contained: 1) a Christmas tree ornament made of our champagne cork, 2) beautifully laminated wine labels from each of the five bottles we shared, 3) a generous portion of the incredible gluten-free bread they served (and for which they had performed a tasting, in order to offer the best GF bread) and a write-up on where to find it, 4) a caviar tin with the evening's menu inside and 5) several small dessert "souvenirs". Need I say more?
I will forever be grateful for the culinary journey the Chef, Jeff, Kevin and all of the Eleven Madison Park staff mapped out and executed for us on December the 12th. Thank you, thank you, thank you. All 4 of us proclaimed it the best meal and best service we have ever enjoyed.
I have been to Eleven Madison Park twice over the past 2 months, both times for lunch.
For my first visit, I sampled the 5-course Gourmand menu. Perhaps my expectations were set too high, but I wasn't blown away by anything. Most of the food was certainly good (the heirloom beets were beautiful and flavorful, the Balik salmon rich and buttery), but a few misfires left me with a less-than-perfect memory. The hazelnut soup amuse bouche, and the lobster dish were both way too salty.
With lowered expectations, I returned yesterday for a business lunch. Everyone ordered the 2 course lunch, and the results were much better. The tuna tatare was delicately flavored, which allowed the freshness of the fish to shine through. I also liked that the tuna was cut into small cubes rather than thoroughly chopped. I also had a small taste of my coworker's spaetzle with braised rabbit; yum! Perfectly textured, creamy, and definitely not over-salted. For the main course, I had the suckling pig confit. The meat was tender, the skin was oh so nicely crispy, and the plum preserves added the perfect sweetness.
Everyone at the table ended up sharing a couple of desserts. To my chagrin, they were both so good that I wish I had an entire order for myself. The apple tatin was very buttery, with a delicious caramelized sugar kick. The chocolate tart featured some of the smoothest dense chocolate ganache I've ever had.
For an expensive restaurant, EMP delivers most of the time. Except for the early salty dishes, everything else was executed beautifully. Service is polite without being too stuffy, and the room is spacious and tastefully decorated. Recommended.
8 stars for food 4 star portion size ( I want more every time!!)
Date Rating: 9
Pick up Scale : 2
Strong Suggestion: Two apps one entree one dessert per person
It's impossible to knock EMP for the quality of food, service, or value of its $28 two course prix fixe lunch. All are completely top notch. It suffices to say that you should absolutely go. However, I had a couple of complaints about my experience there, most of which are probably subjective and specific to the limited lunch service.
I was served two different amuses; a fois gras macaron and a little cookie-type thing with a celery gelee and tiny scrap of black truffle on top. Both were excellent, a great take on the savory/sweet combos going on these days. The bread was also excellent, though I wasn't served a little box of small cookie-type things that everyone else around me seemed to be getting... but that's no big deal. First course was fregola sarda (israeli couscous-like pasta) which was heavy on the glutamates - just to my liking. Second course was suckling pig. I got a piece of tenderloin and a piece of belly. The belly was like pork creme brulee - the skin was incredibly crispy and the meat below was amazingly soft and rich. A real delight to eat. The tenderloin was perfectly cooked, of course, and provided a more sedate alternative to the intense flavor of the belly. The two worked well together. A great dish.
Okay, so with the praise out of the way, let me get to what I didn't like. I didn't feel like anything I ate was particularly interesting or novel. I realize that the lunch prix fixe is not the place where the chef typically goes crazy, but I felt as though a little wildness might be warranted. This relates to my other issue with EMP. The dining room felt a bit uptight and excessively refined for my taste. I wouldn't say I felt uncomfortable or disrespected (quite the opposite), but I didn't exactly feel like EMP is meant for people my age. Perhaps the food I was served was also targeted at somebody else. And perhaps the dinner service takes on an entirely different character, I'm not sure.
In conclusion, it's an excellent restaurant that I definitely enjoyed but I'm not disposed to fully appreciate its virtues. Something slightly rougher, something slightly more daring is really what does it for me.
Came for lunch... great experience; would definitely come back.
First, I love the high ceilings. The decor is simple, clean and refreshing. The service was great and our waitress was thoughtful and sweet.
Started the meal out with my favorite thing from the meal - foie gras macaroon. Never had one before; would never have thought of coupling those two things, but it was absolutely mouth watering and soooo good. I've been thinking about it since I left. I wish I could have more.
As far as appetizers, I tried the sweetbreads, the scallop and the tuna. All were very good with the sweetbreads probably being my favorite. For my main course I ordered the suckling pig which was to die for. The thing was sooo fatty and I don't even want to think how long they slow cooked it for but I've never had a pig confit before and the pork chop on the side was pretty delicious too. My friend ordered the half chicken which was also very very good. One of the better preparations of chicken I have seen. The breast was breaded and the skin was so crispy and then they take the thighs and add some creamy wine sauce as a different plate (this was also so good!).
I was pleasantly surprised. The dishes were creative, well prepared and there wasn't too much going on.
Ended the meal with a box of little macaroons to take with us. The macaroons were better than most desserts I have ordered at restaurants and the presentation was great. Interesting flavors - the caramel popcorn was delicious. I snacked on those things all day and it made me very happy :)
Definitely coming back next time I'm in nyc... hopefully for dinner.
Yes, it's worth the money. The service, the beautiful dining room, and the fact that every bite was perfect made this an absolutely memorable experience. The chicken for 2 is out of this world; I did not know chicken could taste that good.
Will definitely return in a year or so when I can afford it again.
Amazing dining room, amazing food. If you can, go with the tasting menu + champagne pairing (very pricey however). They just keep bringing delicious things out in between courses.
Everything was so unique, fun, well presented, and clean. I tried a few things (lobster, rabbit, tuna) and they were all fantastic. It's has Michelin Stars as of 2010, so I can't be exaggerating the quality too much.
Special Occasions only. The bill for 4 people was over $600. If you balk at the price, go to Shake Shack, which is literally right outside.
Dear Daniel,
I am writing to apologize for my behavior a few weeks back. It was very ungentlemanly of me to burst into the kitchen - *your* kitchen - uninvited, and then to donkey punch you with the raw filet mignon while shouting, "What's the matter, San Francisco not good enough for ya...?" (I've left out most of the expletives, but you probably recall the event...yes, yes of course you do.) Anyways, my humble apologies.
Less offensive, but still worth coming clean about, was the scene I made in your restaurant. It was unfortunate and inconsiderate of me to wail like a bereaved parent after tasting your SUCKLING PIG. It started as a controllable whimper, but when I tasted the first mouthful of the sous vide belly with its crispy, crackling crust, I lost it.
In many ways, I was the suckling pig that night, and I nursed at your corpulent breast.
Wait, that came out all wrong. Let me start over.
Mr. Humm,
I am very, very sorry. Please allow me to explain myself, and perhaps you might find it in yourself to forgive me (forgetting might be pushing it). I am a great admirer of your fantastical French haute cuisine. When I heard that you would be moving to New York to take over at 11 Mad Park, I thought, "you're too good for that place," and I was right, but you've done something unimaginable: you elevated it to one of the finest restaurants on the east coast.
The service was close to impeccable and extremely accommodating. They smiled cordially at me as they replaced our tablecloth, and you wouldn't think for a second that they were holding a grudge against me for using it in the way that I did. You see, our napkins were otherwise filled with your gorgeous GOUGERES that we had asked to be refilled not once, not twice, not even thrice, but four times that night. So, after sobbing uncontrollably at your honey lavender-glazed Muscovy DUCK (its flavors a revelation of biblical proportions), needless to say, my pants were a bit...sticky.
Damn it, I'm having a hard time putting this to words, Mr. Humm. I'll try again.
To the Venerable Daniel Humm,
I hold you and your trade with the greatest respect and admiration, and I humbly request your forgiveness. Your slow-poached FARM EGG with Matsutake mushrooms and frogs' legs was flawless; your SEA URCHIN mousse with cauliflower foam and roe was a work of art, no...a masterpiece; and the LOBSTER NAVARIN with the infusion of tarragon was...
Wait, you know all this already, so why do I even bother? I suppose you also know that your friggin' CHOCOLATE TART with caramel and Maldon salt was sheer genius - no wonder you named it a Symphony. Christ, could you even make a bad dish? If you tried, maybe, but seriously, are you even surprised that people lose their sh*t in your opulent temple?
Whatever.
Danny,
You f*ing bastard, I'M the victim here! YOU should be apologizing to ME and all of San Francisco for switching coasts. I HATE you, you turncoat!! How could you? HOW COULD YOU?!?
. . .
I'm so sorry, I don't know what came over me. I was just kidding. I will always love you the most, and San Francisco isn't the same since you've left. I hope you're happy (not really).
Kisses,
- Your Biggest Fan (Still)
XOXOX
Ranks in Top 5 Meals of my life.
Fabulous food matched gorgeous interior of this restaurant on Madison Park. The dinning room is resplendent with soaring 40 ft ceilings and ornate flower arrangements situated throughout the dining room. The windows let in lots of light, but start 20 ft above where you're sitting, so unless you're in the private room on the second floor you don't see views of Madison Park. The only place your eyes need to focus though is on your plate to admire the presentation and freshness of the food prepared for you.
I started with an heirloom beet salad that had five different beets of varying color (from yellow, to pink, to red), texture, and flavor with a fresh goat cheese froth, and topped with the petite leaves of nasturtium (a new leafy green for me). I followed my salad with a guilty pleasure of alaskan king crab meat over linguini in a decadent butter sauce. My third course was the boudin blanc (which I ordered mistakenly expecting a luscious, wet boudin noir) with freshly ground mustard and a delicious poached peckel pear that convinced me to skip dessert.
Perfect to celebrate occasions like being back in Manhattan.
Have you ever food-gasmed just listening to the description of food? No? Well, I nearly did. And I could not have picked a better (non-Gramercy Tavern) restaurant to patronize for my husband's birthday.
There's not much for me to add to all these great reviews, but if you go during winter '09, you must get the hare and the Dover sole (part of the two seasonal tasting menus). You'll have to ask for them special if you're not getting those tasting menus, but I promise the reward on your tongue and in your belly will be worth any embarrassment.
We had only been here once, long ago, and I said then that I didn't feel loved. Well, I felt the love this time. We spent 5 hours being lavished with food and attention. My husband actually said, "If you ever happen to meet Danny Meyer again, you tell him we love him and his restaurants."
As a final note, before dessert, while the table was being cleared, we joked with one of the servers about how we wanted our leftover goat's milk butter to go. Imagine our surprise as we left to find that we had a bag with, in fact, a new serving of butter wrapped up for us with information about the purveyor.
Wow.
I...Huh. You really liked the food? Yes. The service was good? Yes. Was that the best mint… Read more »
i was skeptical about a dessert, and after a taste i couldn't eat it. it was not what i'd expected, or wanted. my awesome waiter saw my face after i bit in to it and he came over and took it away, and i asked for some water. he brought the water.
and also-
a martini glass filled with fresh, sliced berries. they were garnished with a mint sprig, and he gave me a dainty little shrimp fork to eat them. details! cute details! tiny forks, fun glass, little berries. i am always pleased with the service here. they deserved the 5th star after this memorable lunch.
i had a client dinner here that i wasn't looking forward to. after a long week of lavish meals… Read more »
Can I add 5 more stars to Eleven Madison? Daniel Humm has created dishes worthy of Frank Bruni's four star review The first time we went, pre-Humm days was good but nothing eventful, this time around it was exquisite We chose the three course pre-fixe ($88)- two savory dishes, one sweet and additional two amuse bouche. We chose the Di Paolo Ricotta(gnocchi with Violet Artichokes, Taggiasca Olives and Bottarga); Organic Milk-fed chicken for two, desserts- I had the mint chocolate torte and my fiancee had the peanut butter chocolate torte. Each of the dish was heavenly: the gnocchi was heavenly; the chicken perfectly cooked with the table presentation; the desserts were decadent.
The most important aspect of NYC dining scene I truly appreciate, here it was amazing. The next time I dine here I will definitely try the chef's menu to truly appreciate the Chef Humm's vision in his cooking. Too bad he left SF but it gives us more reason to go back to NY.
I had one of the best dinners when I last visited NYC and it was at Eleven Madison Park (which is… Read more »
This place is really elegant with good service and wonderful food. The 2-course lunch pre-fix is a great deal. Note that dessert costs extra.
Everything was well-presented, perfectly executed, flavorful but not overly heavy. I particularly enjoyed my pan-seared skate entree. For dessert - we were given a choice of a variety of cakes and tarts from a dessert cart. The waiter would slice it up in front of the table before serving it. I really enjoyed that. We tried the raspberry tart and one of the cakes - both were delicious.
So last time I had lunch at Jean Georges I decided I would someday become a 'lady who lunches'. Must be in the cards for me because a group of 'ladies who lunch' sat at the table next to us.
For now I can settle with being a 'girl who lunches' every once in a blue moon. But really $28 for two courses is a great deal.
They start out by presenting you with a delicious amuse bouche- cucumber with creme fraiche & smoked salmon and a type of radish with salt and butter perhaps? They were both super tasty with wonderful summer flavors and bright colors.
They give you these cheese puff pastries that are impossible not to devour whole one after the other. The olive bread was also absolutely deliciously warm and tasty.
1. Sweet Corn Chowder with Nova Scotia Lobster and Bacon
2. Lamb Sausage with Arugula, Tomato Confit and Potato Mousseline
The corn chowder was a beautiful yellow color with perfectly cooked pieces of lobster that were bursting with brightness and flavor. Absolutely a wonderful beginning. Mr. Humm really takes advantage of what the summer has to offer in his menu. Every bite was like enjoying a warm summer day.
The lamb sausage dish was filled with deep smoky flavors of all kinds with a tomato confit that tasted so sweet and balanced the spicy smoky sausage so well. The potato was also a wonderful component to the dish. This felt like extremely refined comfort food.
My companion's snapper ala bouillabaisse was absolutely fantastic and perfectly done as well. Her appetizer was a sort of terrine that had pickled vegetables that were so delicious.
For desert they bring out the desert cart and it is so difficult to choose and impossible to turn away from. I wish we could have had all of them.
1. Blueberry & Brown Sugar Crumble
2. Lemon Meringue tart
Once again Eleven Madison Park was able to achieve an extremely refined version of a classic comfort dish. The blueberry crumble was light and yet showcased the strong delicious flavors that a blueberry has. Absolutely delectable and as satisfying as any chocolate desert would be. The lemon meringue tart was also light and delicious with a soft meringue as an accompaniment.
Small yet beautiful space, efficient service, fantastic food and at a wonderful price. What more could you ask for on a beautiful summer day?
Outstanding. We had the Taste of Winter. On the eclectic side: Sea Urchin Cappucino and Frog's Legs in Porcini Custard. On the more traditional savory side: Braised Veal Cheeks.
The service was impeccable and the presentation flawless.
The atosphere winds from dressy to formal, but you certainly would not feel out of place without a jacket and tie here.
One of the best the city has to offer.
I decided to go the EMP for my birthday dinner, mostly because while I was west-coasting it for the summer I read of its acclaim in the Times. There is nothing like some well-deserved praise - what a remarkable meal. I may just have to say this was the best I've had in New York.
We opted for the three course prix fixe after learning from Bruni that they will amuse bouche your belly to satiation. He was not joking. Before our food arrived we had: Gougeres, a crazy good mini morsel of sweetbreads, a plate of eight canapes and a tiny bowl of corn soup. Not too mention the two tiny baguettes with choice of butter (the goat's milk butter was the best I've ever had - put it on the olive baguette).
I started my meal with the gnocchi. SO decadent and a serious portion to boot. I had to put a few on my man's plate. Then I moved onto the lobster poached in lemon verbena heaven. It was the best lobster I've ever had, and I grew up summering on Cape Cod. The lemon verbena idea is simply genius, it complements the richness of the lobster perfectly.
The staff here is excellent, never missed a beat, and they even caught on that it was my birthday while overhearing our somewhat alcohol induced conversation with the table next door (it was her birthday too). They brought me a candle and even gave my husband a gratis dessert when he couldn't decide between a cheese course and dessert. He ended up with both the lucky bastard.
I look forward to returning here and seeing what the chef does with the changing seasons. A + +
Went here on the day Frank Bruni (NY Times) published their 4 star review and oh my god was it an awful dining experience. I guess we made the mistake of ordering the tasting menu (taste of summer $125 pp) for our party of 4. Everything was delicious but the timing... my god the timing....... 12 separate courses ranging from small bites to larger dishes were staggered 20 - 25 minutes in between each dish. So, I'm not exaggerating here, you were served a delicious amuse bouche sized plate, then 25 minutes later you got another one, after the first 6 you were jumping out of your skin (and I liked the people I was dining with!) That adds up to 4 hours, which is exactly how long we were there. 2.5 to 3 hours is a fine dining experience, but 4 hours? Give me a f-ckin break. They were even apologizing about the delay without us saying anything, explaining how the remaining dishes would be served more timely, didn't happen. They did comp our drinks which was a nice gesture, but when the bill arrives ($500) you just want to laugh, or cry, or kill everyone working there with your bare hands (lets call them cast members.) Everything is about the show there, the tableside martini that was like fire-water; I have a recommendation, how about a bartender makes me a smooth martini and then you bring it to me at the table, what a concept. If you want a show go to broadway, if you want a spectacular meal, look elsewhere. Some of Danny Meyers' places are great but some just miss the mark, on Aug. 12 2009 they missed by a thousand yards. I despise this restaurant.
This place makes me miss my days of client meetings and expense accounts. Back then, I was a regular. Most recently, I went as a "tourist" for a dinner party upstairs in one of their private rooms with a prix fixe menu, all of which was delicious. The dining space is gorgeous, the service is white glove, and the food is delicious.
In the main dining room, my favourite dish is the Nova Scotia Lobster. If you love lobster, you cannot miss this. The lobster is so sweet and flavourful, and the verbena is a delicious combination! Other than this particular callout, everything else is good that you can't go wrong... it really depends on your preference.
Highly recommended for a nice dinner out.
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