It’s taken me three years of living in New York to finally eat at Eleven Madison Park. Despite being very much into food, most of my eating out here in New York gravitates around ramen, Khao Kang in Elmhurst, the El Rey del Taco truck for Al Pastor over rice, Boqueria for tapas, paella and sangria, and our neighborhood Brazilian restaurant Malagueta, that serves excellent Feijoada only on Saturdays. I try to pick new places to eat in but it’s always a struggle to choose where to go next versus an old reliable place. There’s always something new to try that isn’t very pricey. It just so happened that a friend of mine needed someone to fill in for his friend who couldn’t make it to their dinner reservation, so I decided it was time for me to see what the hype was all about. Here are my photos and comments on all the courses served.
1. Cheddar
Savory Black and White Cookie with Apple
Gougère like savory start to the long meal.
2. Sturgeon
Sabayon with Chive
I liked this course. You sipped it out of the eggshell. I would have wanted another.
3. Oyster
Pie and Veloute
EMP sources these oysters from the Widow’s Hole oyster farm that I’ve visited in Long Island. The veloute captures all the oyster goodness in soup form. I wish there was more of this.
4. Scallops
Marinated with Black Truffle and Leeks
I really appreciated how complicated this dish looks to make, but it’s not one of my favorites.
5. Caviar
Benedict with Eggs, Cauliflower and Ham
Served with those bread rounds, this course was a hit with the whole table.
It’s served in this small tin that they also use to give you a copy of the menu at the end of the meal .
6. Foie Gras
Seared with Brussels Sprouts and Smoked Eel
For the foie gras course, you have to decide between seared or another preparation before the whole meal starts. I think our whole table picked seared foie gras. I did not regret that choice. This dish kind of tasted Filipino-ish in a way I can’t figure out.
7. Waldorf
Salad with Apple, Celery, Grapes and Walnuts
The salad was prepared table side and served on a wooden plate that’s set on top of a bowl with the soup version of the salad.
8. Lobster
Poached with Butternut Squash and Chestnuts
Beautiful looking plate, subtle flavors.
9. Hen of the Woods Mushroom
Roasted with Horseradish
I always like this type of mushroom so this course doesn’t look that delicious but I don’t mind.
10. Venison
Roasted with Beets and Onion
For the main protein we chose venison over duck breast. They present the venison over coals before they slice and plate it.
I liked the beet chips. 
11. Cato Corner Cheese
Fondue with Squash and Mustard
You can’t go wrong with cheese and pretzel bread.
12. Botrytis
Ice cream with Bitter Almond and Ginger Crumble
Sip some wine, get a spoonful of ice cream with the ginger crumbs.
13. Milk and Honey
Custard with Bee Pollen Ice Cream
Interesting textures. You can’t see it in this photo but there is honey in the center of that white nugget.
14. Chocolate
“Name That Milk”
Pretzel with Sea Salt
EMP is in the business of making sure you leave happy. The meal ends with a chocolate guessing game. You attempt to match the chocolate to which animal’s milk was used to make it.
I wasn’t able to guess it all correctly. But that is okay. 
They give you a dark chocolate covered pretzel sprinkled with some sea salt afterwards.
St. George Apple Brandy
Finally they leave this bottle on the table for you to enjoy.
After the meal, we were given a container of granola for breakfast and a printed menu. I would have liked to receive the menu beforehand but also really appreciated the granola. I left full and buzzed from the apple brandy, happy that I got to cross Eleven Madison Park from my list. The service was amazing, the dining room was gorgeous and the plates/servingware were all pretty. I felt that the experience was worth the splurge and am now looking forward to trying their food during a different season.