Tonight I was lucky enough to eat at Eleven Madison Park. I am not going to write a review more a recounting of my meal.
First you should note that this meal was part of Restaurant Week. Many have said that during restaurant week you seem to get mediocre meals that don't represent a restaurant. If that is true of Eleven Madison Park, I'm not sure I could handle the regular menu.
The gust of warmth, the second you walk in, was welcomed considering it was 30 degrees or so outside. And then the impeccable service began. Everyone is there to serve you and without pretension at all. A few minutes later and a drink at the bar I was at my table. I had a great view of the entire restaurant. Beautiful! High ceilings that look even higher with swooping modern chandeliers hanging down. Gold is the color of choice but mixed with enough black and white flowers that in the end you have a very soft and comfortable place.
A note about the wine. Wine is a big deal here (as it should be). The wine list is startling to my naive eye. Nothing like seeing a 1600 bottle of wine off the same wine list I will be ordering something from. My waiter said he could pick my wine for me - and that sounded just fine to me. He chose 2 - three oz tastings for my first two courses and then a dessert wine.
First course - Mushroom Flan
surrounded by greens and basil oil. buttery - subtle - strong mushroom flavor without overpowering the dish.
Wine: A medium strong burgundy from Chorey Beaune 2000 ( don't remember the brand unfortunately) - this wine grew on me as do many wines which are chosen for me. It went well with the flan complementing the butteriness.
Second course - Spanish Mackerel Confit
cooked to perfection - this was one damn good piece of fish. Chickpeas, onions, and artichoke hearts (i think) were placed next to the fish with pesto sauce (very close to the basil oil used with the flan - possibly the same) dribbled around the plate. I have never had a fish confit and it worked very well.
Wine: Another burgundy - 1999 Marsanny - this time very light to go with the fish. I thanked the waiter twice for this pairing. A excellent wine for the price.
Third course - Homemade Mint Chocolate chip ice cream - chocolate cake base - with hot chocolate syrup poured into the bowl. Let's not forget the sinfully good dab of whip cream. I think that description is enough to give you the idea.
Wine: Bonny Doon Muscat dessert wine - this pairing was off I think. A very sweet dessert wine was a bit much paired with the chocolate. The waiter said that he was going for a wine that would match the vanilla taste in the ice cream. I would have gone for a port or a strong bold red to match the chocolate.
- plate of chocolate nuts, jelly candy, and truffles - was given to me with coffee. Great cup of coffee - which I always love. Can't have a good restaurant if you have bad coffee or bread.
So they won me over. I will go back soon - probably sooner then my wallet wants me to. To sweeten the deal they gave me a copy of Zagat 2004 branded with Eleven Madison Park. I thought they might charge me but nope.
Eleven Madison Park makes me want to do one of the following things:
1. make more money
2. get an expense account
3. become a restaurant reviewer of some sort ( I will work for food)