It has been talked about a lot over the last few months. It has recently received its third Michelin star and has been selected by the San Pellegrino awards as Nr 10 Best Restaurant in the World, while Chef Daniel Humm has been named the Outstanding Chef of the Year by the James Beard Awards. For New York's Eleven Madison Park, 2012 has certainly been its' year!
There is no a la carte menu. Instead, guests are given a list with certain ingredients, are asked to choose their favorites and to indicate which of the ingredients they don't like. Whichever they choose will become the protagonist in one of the dishes to follow during the course of the surprising tasting menu.
The experience refers to the theatrical. Each dish is accompanied by a short story narrated by the waiters. Tastes and stories are derived from culture, attitudes and traditions from around New York and this precisely is the aim of the meal: to get acquainted with the city. At the end, you are given a pocket size book with the historical background of the food you've just eaten.
Vibrant surroundings, with fine lines and strong elements of leather and wood, there is an attempt to avoid the feel of an overly pre-set restaurant and the image evoked by the term 'fine dining'. The aesthetics of the space reminds of a New York loft with great skyscraper ceiling, ample light and modern luxury.
