Eleven Madison Park

We went to Eleven Madison Park for dinner, Chris was leaving for the World Cup with Scott the next day to see two World Cup games. Scott got the tickets through his office. They are going to see Germany play Italy in the semi-finals! She (and Scott) are bonkers with excitement. We can't get on an elevator without her telling someone about it.

We decided to go to Eleven Madison Park, a very nice restaurant that I had not been to since it opened some years ago. I hadn't been back because I just didn't like the feel of the room. It's high ceilings and windows remind me of a cafeteria (St. Clair's in Parkchester!). Obviously, the Zagats reviewers are not from the East Bronx.

They offer a number of Prix-Fixe menus ranging from $89 to a $115 Seasonal Tasting Menu. We stayed with the "basic" $89 which was fine.

We started with;
Frogs Legs with Poached Egg - outstanding, small and delicate and not too buttery.
Potato Gnocchi with Squash Flowers and Lemon Confit - really delicate dumplings. One of Chris favorites.

And followed with;
Suckling Pig with Cippollini Onions - absolutely wonderful, tender meat with a hint of grilled onion. Not heavy at all.
Ribeye with Bone Marrow, Peas and Carrots - good, but not as good as my Suckling Pig. A little boring.

Cheese course - nice selection of cheeses.
Warm Blueberries with Pecan financier and Caramel Ice Cream - good.

Wine: 2003 Cote de Beaune - very good

All told, an excellent meal. After a Martini and the wine I forgot I was eating in a cafeteria! They started with a very nice "amuse-bouche" that had five separate tastes. One was a raw oyster. I let Christina have mine since I know how much she loves oysters. She was up all night with diarrhea!

Eleven Madison Park
11 Madison Ave.(24th St.)
Manhattan, NY 10010
212-889-0905

Zagats says...
A “shining star” in the city’s “culinary galaxy”, Danny Meyer’s “fine-tuned” New American on Madison Square Park continues to produce “exquisite” cuisine backed by a “fabulous wine list” and a “smashing” art deco interior featuring “breathtaking vaulted ceilings”; add in “unobtrusive”, “mind-reading” service and it’s clear why this is a “favorite place to splurge.”