An unforgettable culinary adventure, I first dined at this storied New York City gastronomic mecca in 2016 and have thoroughly enjoyed dining there every year since. My annual visit last Tuesday had impeccable timing of being the night that the restaurant was once again awarded their third Michelin star. Founded in 1998, the restaurant overlooks the beautiful Madison Square Park and is located in a historic Art Deco building on the corner of 24th Street and Madison Avenue. Owned by Chef Daniel Humm and Restaurateur Will Guidara since 2011 this is one of the most sought after restaurants in America, as they offer an eight to ten course menu in the main dining room, as well as a four course tasting menu and light snacks in their bar.
San Pellingrino helps sponsor the World’s Best 50 Restaurants list and the restaurant has steadily climbed up the rankings, being Ranked #50 in 2010, #24 in 2011, #10 in 2012, #5 in 2013, #4 in 2014, #5 in 2015, #3 in 2016 and reaching #1 in 2017. A sensational wine list, Eleven Madison has held the Wine Spectator Grand Award from 2011-2016 and has held 3 Michelin Stars remarkably from 2012-2018.
It was a night to remember as I started my night with the best craft cocktail I have tried all year, ‘The Birch’ which is their take on an Old-Fashioned — an impeccably balanced blend of Japanese Whisky, Rye Whiskey, Amontillado Sherry, Maple, and Angostura. The first presentation with a luscious soufflé with osteria caviar which they recommended planting inside the soufflé. The texture of the dish and balance was mind-numbing. I then followed with a perfectly cooked lobster, served with a heavenly lobster stock reduction. Lobster is sometimes cooked too well-done, but the simplicity of this dish made the succulent lobster tail the star of the show. A terrine of foie gras followed which was excellent although their signature duck breast stole the show with a Bordelaise reduction, paired with a 2005 Chateau Maucaillou from the Bordeaux appellation of Moulis. This was truly a match made in heaven as the balance of the wine and vintage did not overpower the highly nuanced duck breast. It was a night to remember at one of the world’s famed restaurants, Eleven Madison Park.