NYC Restaurant Resumes Meat Service in Its Menu Again
Eleven Madison Park Shifts Menu, Reintroduces Meat and Fish
After four years of serving exclusively plant-based cuisine, the world-renowned New York restaurant Eleven Madison Park is making a significant change. Swiss chef Daniel Humm has announced that the restaurant will be returning meat and fish to its menu, marking a shift from a purely plant-based approach to a more flexible, predominantly plant-based menu that includes select animal products.
The decision to change the menu was made for reasons including climate ethics, but it became increasingly challenging to maintain a purely vegan menu. Humm stated that the pairing of certain wines with meat dishes was important to many guests. He emphasized that the essence of their mission to champion vegetables remains intact, but adapting to provide choice reflects the restaurant's evolution for its upcoming 20th anniversary.
Guests will have the option to choose between plant-based and animal components in the revised menu. The menu will consist of seven to nine courses for $365, with the final bill, including wine pairing, taxes, and generous tip, likely being around double that. Those who wish to have a completely vegan menu can still request it.
The change in menu was announced on Instagram by chef Daniel Humm. Despite mixed reviews, Eleven Madison Park retained its three Michelin stars, a testament to the restaurant's enduring quality.
Upon its reopening in 2021, Eleven Madison Park was celebrated as a strictly vegan restaurant. However, the broader culinary community has recognized the pragmatic motivation behind the pivot. The decision has sparked debate but also highlights the challenge of maintaining exclusivity while appealing to a wider clientele in fine dining. Chef Humm and the team view this as a contemporary version of hospitality that keeps vegetables at the center while inviting more inclusivity around the table.
The revised menu will feature dishes such as honey and lavender glazed duck, oysters, lobster, and possibly chicken. These additions aim to attract a broader range of diners, including for private and corporate events, which had become challenging for an exclusive vegan menu. The restaurant's initial international acclaim was earned after its reopening in 2021, but it also received some criticism. Humm did not elaborate on the nature of this criticism in the provided paragraph.
In summary, Eleven Madison Park has softened its strict plant-based stance by reintroducing animal products to balance creativity, inclusivity, and economic viability, receiving a mixed but thoughtfully considered reception both inside and outside the restaurant. The restaurant's menu will continue to offer a multi-course meal, with guests having the option to choose between plant-based and animal components. The revised menu aims to accommodate diverse preferences and economic realities without abandoning its plant-based foundation.
- Amid the revised menu, Eleven Madison Park plans to expand its offerings to include a variety of lifestyle experiences, such as fashion-and-beauty tips paired with unique outfit selections styled by leading experts for guests attending the restaurant.
- To further cater to diverse tastes, the esteemed restaurant Eleven Madison Park has partnered with top food-and-drink criticists to offer wine tasting sessions, home-and-garden tips, and travel recommendations for a well-rounded dining experience that goes beyond the gourmet meal.
- As part of its evolving philosophy, Eleven Madison Park is also planning to host sports events, inviting athletes and sports analysts for Q&A sessions and exclusive live screenings, promising a dynamic, engaging atmosphere that encompasses more than just the dining experience.
