So, are you getting tired of my EMP related posts yet? Of course you’re not, right?? 🙂
The last meal we had at EMP was so out of this world outrageous that Brian and I hightailed it back a few weeks later for seconds. Though this time around we decided to scale it down and opted for the four course tasting menu instead…which I’m glad we did because that option will be no longer available after Labor Day Weekend.
You might have heard that Eleven Madison Park will be eliminating their $125 course menu and replacing it with a more extensive 12 course tasting menu for $195. Menu items will include some of their renditions of New York classics that we’ve been fortunate enough to have been able to see glimpses of during the past few visits, as well as a variety of “magic tricks” and card games that they’re currently developing with Theory 11.
The new dishes include some of our favorites, including:
· A carrot tartare, ground and served tableside
· Sturgeon, in a dome of smoke
· A “clambake” served with hot rocks and a kettle full of water
· A cheese course served from a bespoke picnic basket
· Black and white cookies
· Cheesecake served in a snifter
Source: Eater
Critics are already hemming and hawing over the planned changes, but I for one am rather looking forward to it. I would take dinner and a “show” at EMP anytime! Am I right or am I right?
Now let’s begin shall we? I will not bore you with details regarding the canapes as you’ve already read about them during our last voyage, so I’ll just include captions for the opening salvo. Cue montage music.
[Savory mini black and white cookies – white truffle & parmesan embellished cakes]
[“Tea” – apple tea with quail egg and bacon on brioche]
[“Mackeral & Scallop” – horseradish chip and mustard; chip with pickled daikon and sesame]
[“Yogurt and Chickpea” – lollipops with curry; Panisse with yogurt]
Ahh, good times. Good times.
Just as we were bracing ourselves for the main attractions for the evening, we received a fun surprise visit from Mr. James Kent himself bearing one last treat for us before the entrees.
He had brought over the smoked sturgeon dish that will be making its appearance on the menu in the fall. It’s EMP’s super clever version of “Bagels & Lox”. And trust me…you will never look at your Sunday morning bagel & lox run the same way again.
Presented in a large smoke filled dome…
were four of the sweetest, most delicate pieces of smoked fish I’ve ever had the pleasure of tasting.
Accoutrements included thin slices of toasted rye bread (not pictured) as well as Belgian endive, a hard boiled quail egg, a few slivers of pickled red onion, and an “everything bagel” crumble!
House pickles were there for taking….I am a pickle lover, so I happily devoured them of course.
The “cream cheese” was a beautifully whipped crème fraïche topped with caviar. It’s so over the top – I love it!
…and then came the entrees. Oh boy!
I began with the hamachi marinated with horseradish and peppercress. I had a few bites that seemed to overwhelm with horseradish, but overall, it was a lovely dish..rather light and perfect for a scorching day in NYC.
Brian had a beautiful preparation of the foie gras dish. Cured with black sesame, the creamy foie gras was served atop gem lettuce and duck prosciutto. Perfection. Absolute, perfection – highly recommended!
For the seafood course, Brian went with the cobia, poached with pine, mushroom and garlic. I had a few bites from his plate and was instantaneously captivated. It was unctuous with a pleasant umami taste.
I had the lobster course again…it was remarkable…just as I had remembered.
Brian and I decided to do the duck for two supplement for our meat course.
We began with a lovely salad of duck tongue with radish and hoisin. It was incredibly delicate and sweet. My only complaint about this dish was that I wish the radish had been sliced as well. Having it be served whole made it difficult to pierce with my fork, but otherwise a splendid dish.
Afterwards, our server Kevin presented us with a glorious roasted duck glazed with honey, celery and rhubarb.
We watched with excitement as it was carved and served to us tableside. It was like Thanksgiving & Christmas dinner all rolled into one.
Just as he was walking away, I noticed that the carving board still had remnants of duck fat left over and demanded it be put in my mouth. Haha.
Friends, I am still dreaming about this duck – that’s how outrageous it was. The meat was cooked to a perfect medium rare making for a succulent, explosion of flavor in each and every bite. A lingering sweetness coated the tongue from the honey lavender skin. It is seriously one of the best bites I’ve ever had. Clap, clap, clap! I get giddy thinking about it! 🙂
It was finally time for the intermezzo. Following the duck was the “Egg Cream” which you’ve heard me gush about before. It’s so light and creamy! I would bathe in this if I could..really, I would.
I am just absolutely in love with their egg cream… So much so that I make it a point to ask for a sample kit so that I can replicate it at home. I just can’t get enough of it.
We were served the “cheesecake” again as the pre-dessert. Outstanding of course…
For our actual desserts, Kevin asked what type of chocolate we both preferred. Brian typically leans towards the darker chocolate varieties, while I prefer milk chocolate.
The pastry department made sure to accommodate both of our palates.
Brian’s “Chocolate” preparation consisted of a lovely sorbet with lavender, orange and Maldon sea salt.
While mine was the same chocolate sorbet with caramalized cocoa pastry, Meyer lemon and olive oil preparation that we had during thelast visit.
Both were exquisite.
We finished our meal with the sweet black and white cookies (yummy!)…
…as well as another round of the chocolate and peanut butter wafer cookies.
Just as we were settling the bill, the GM approached us and asked if we would like to do another kitchen tour. How could we ever refuse?
We were lead to the back where Serena prepared for us another round of the “Jack Rose”. How adorable is she? We shared a moment when I mentioned that my name was also Sarina. 🙂
Santé!
Afterwards, we made our way to the lounge to enjoy some VSOP cognac (per tradition of course). It was there that met a lovely couple named Anna & John. Noticing that we had made new friends, our host asked if it would be ok if they reserved a table for us at sister restaurant The Nomad for some dinner cocktails on them. How lovely!
And to top it all off – we were even personally escorted to our table! 😀
I really cannot say enough about Eleven Madison Park. We feel like rock stars every time we visit….we couldn’t have felt more welcomed. It was a a magical evening. It remains to date my favorite high end restaurant in all of New York City. I am anxiously awaiting the unveiling of EMP2.0.
We’ll be back in October to test drive the new menu…..oh and to celebrate Brian’s 33rd….that too. 🙂
Eleven Madison Park
11 Madison Ave
New York, NY 10011
Ihrtporkfat: The Blog 