Eleven Madison Park

11 Madison Avenue

(at 24th Street)

elevenmadisonpark.com

As a follow-up to the June 9th posting regarding Will Guidara’s and Daniel Humm’s lecture on Exotic Flavors in Fine Dining, I finally got to experience the owners of Eleven Madison Park’s vision about food.

The last time I was at the restaurant was nearly a decade ago, around the same time that the Sex and the City episode aired where Big tells Carrie that he’s marrying another woman while they’re having lunch at Eleven Madison Park. Flash-forward to a decade later, the restaurant located in a renovated bank is still as gorgeous and elegant as ever. However, its menu is now a set 16-course tasting menu that changes with what is available and in season from local NY farmers. And be warned that the cost is très cher.

Below is the tasting menu of the 3-hour dining experience that my sister and I had on July 21, 2013:

As soon as we entered the restaurant, we were met with a friendly greeting. The service was impeccable. The staff was extremely attentive and sensitive to our needs throughout the meal (i.e., making sure our wine and water glasses were never empty, quick removal of plates, etc.) without seeming intrusive.

1) For our first course, the black and white cookie with apple, appeared in a gift box. 

We were instructed to open immediately so that the cookies within would not melt.

When we were initially seated at the table, the plating was already present.

2) Upon arrival of the second course, sea urchin with smoked cantaloupe and conch, the plate design became self-explanatory. Lovely amuse bouche!

For our drinking pleasure, we decided to not start with a cocktail. Instead we opted to go with a white wine that would pair well with most of the dinner. Our server recommended an Austrian wine from the Wachau region: 2011 Veyder-Malberg Grüner Veltline. It was light and lovely.

3) Next came the surf clam. Don’t eat the sand!!

4) Clambake! Wonderful presentation and quite a show!

The soup was absolutely delicious. The stone cup also allowed one to enjoy the soup right away without worrying about whether the soup would be too hot or become too cold. It was perfect. One of my faves of the evening.

5) Tomato confit with lobster salad and bonito. Again another beautiful presentation.

The tomato soda, however, was one of the few sour notes in a truly exceptional and memorable meal. Yuck!!

Thank heavens that they served some fresh bread (which tasted like croissants—yum!!!) to help wash down the taste.

6) Next up, the foie gras brulée. Brulée?!? Exciting and exotic tasting as it sounds.

7) The MOST memorable food preparation of the evening. Carrot tartare. Whole carrots were ground at the table?!? Must be seen to be believed.

Then each diner was allowed to play and make his/her own carrot dish. Condiments were laid out and one was to mix and match to one’s own heart’s desires.

8) Striped bass poached with zucchini and squash. Light and refreshing and melted like butter in your mouth.

9) An ostrich egg on its nest:

And in the ostrich egg was corn pudding with truffle and buttermilk. Rich and delicious!

10) We had a choice between steak or duck. We chose duck. Below is a picture of the whole duck.

Our cut of the duck was beautifully presented.

We decided to have a glass of red wine with our duck. We let our server choose, but our one request was that it not be oaky. She came back with a real beauty: the 2007 Domaine Jean Grivot Nuits St. Georges 1er Cru Les Roncières. As soon as I breathed in this lovely burgundy it had a pungent scent of rich cherries. It is a deep, bold wine, and a perfect pairing with the duck.

11) Picnic time!

It also comes with the restaurant’s specially made pale wheat ale, Picnic Basket.

The beer is a perfect accompaniment with the pretzel and pickled strawberries.

12) Next up, the first of our desserts: a malt mixed and served at the table.

Delicious! Tasted just like ice cream!!

13) Second dessert. Sassafras sorbet with banana cake. Refreshing!

Definitely time for coffee!

14) Third dessert. Sheep’s milk cheesecake with mango and peanut. As decadent tasting as it appears.

But surprise! Magic trick time. One of the servers had a deck of cards and asked us to each pick a card. Underneath the sheep’s milk cheesecake dish, was a piece of chocolate covered with the flavor listed on our card. Neat!!

15) Fourth dessert?!? Chocolate-covered pretzel with sea salt. Loved the holder that it came with--thought they were offering us a piece of jewelry.

Accompanied by apple brandy, specially made for the restaurant. Brandy was a bit harsh as an after-dinner drink. We might have enjoyed a glass of port instead.

16) And, finally, the meal ended as it was started. With a gift box.

This time it contained a black-and-white cookie with apricot.

They also send you off with a goodie bag.

Which contained a mason jar of granola.

Note: The restaurant also gives a tour of its kitchen if one requests. So do ask for one as we did. As a special treat, the kitchen would even create a special concoction for you, too. A table was set up for us, but we had enjoyed our meal so much we could not literally take another bite!

The kitchen is clean and unique in that the walls are covered with photos of Miles Davis. The restaurant owners feel that the vibe of their restaurant and their menu has been inspired by jazz and by the musician. As soon as one enters the kitchen, one sees a placard listing words associated with Miles Davis: Forward-moving, Fresh, Collaborative, Endless Reinvention, etc. When asked what the words mean, the tour guide noted that this was the restaurant’s Mission Statement.

For this evening, mission accomplished!