Has anyone been to Eleven Madison Park?
Jun 28, 2016, 4:05 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: NYC
Posts: 27,231
Was there two months ago.
It was a fantastic experience, for a special occasion, and I'm glad I did it.
But I don't have to eat packaged ramen for the next month because I did. So "worth" is a very personal question, just as it is with paying for first class. Perhaps if you would share your tax returns and brokerage statements we could provide a more comprehensive answer.
That said, I don't know if I need to rush back. There are other $200pp+ restaurants I want to try, and even though I didn't have to resort to Ramen, I wouldn't want to be doing that more than a couple of times per year.
It was a fantastic experience, for a special occasion, and I'm glad I did it.
But I don't have to eat packaged ramen for the next month because I did. So "worth" is a very personal question, just as it is with paying for first class. Perhaps if you would share your tax returns and brokerage statements we could provide a more comprehensive answer.
That said, I don't know if I need to rush back. There are other $200pp+ restaurants I want to try, and even though I didn't have to resort to Ramen, I wouldn't want to be doing that more than a couple of times per year.
Jun 29, 2016, 8:58 am
#3
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 144
I went back when it was the longer New York themed menu (a couple years ago). I thought it was fantastic (for a special occasion), but value is obviously totally subjective here. I think our bill was $850 for two after tax, drinks and tip (this was before they switched to service being included in the price).
If the price doesn't make you flinch I say go for it; it is a once-in-a-lifetime experience if you are very into food. However, you can have just as fantastic a meal and experience at Del Posto, Marea, Daniel, Blue Hill, or many other places for half the price.
If the price doesn't make you flinch I say go for it; it is a once-in-a-lifetime experience if you are very into food. However, you can have just as fantastic a meal and experience at Del Posto, Marea, Daniel, Blue Hill, or many other places for half the price.
Jun 30, 2016, 8:03 am
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: FLL -> Where The Boyars Are
Programs: AA EXP 1.7 M, Hilton Gold, Hertz 5*, AARP Sophomore, 14-time Croix de Candlestick
Posts: 18,669
hours, so please plan your day accordingly". Since their hours are 5:30 to 10:00, it seems that the table should be yours for the evening.
Jun 30, 2016, 8:09 am
#7
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 144
They won't hurry you, and they space the courses out perfectly - the service deserves the three Michelin stars. They are pros. I also bet that if the first couple courses come out fast and you want to slow it down, just ask them and they will gladly oblige. I think our dinner was a leisurely three hours or so. There are also many mini-courses between the main ones, which keeps everything at the right pace, and at the end (unless it has changed) they bring you a full bottle of brandy that you can sip from for as long as you want.
Jun 30, 2016, 11:48 am
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: NYC
Posts: 27,231
That was the old ~15-course menu. They switched to a 7-9 course menu at the beginning of this year. I think it should be 2.5-3 hours, can't remember exactly how long ours took. Definitely paced perfectly. I would think they can/do turn the tables for some of the early reservations (e.g., 5-6pm). We ate at 5:30. Definitely didn't feel rushed.
Jun 30, 2016, 12:01 pm
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: NYC
Posts: 27,231
In fact, Daniel's 7-course tasting is $234, with tax and 20% (pretax) tip, it comes out slightly more than EMP. Le Bernardin can be a bit less, at $180/$215 which gross up to $230/$280. But certainly, you can still experience those chefs' cooking for quite a bit less with the typical 4-course menu.
Also keep in mind that the EMP menu includes foie gras, lobster, and caviar, for no additional supplement.
Jun 30, 2016, 1:17 pm
#11
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Posts: 385
There are so many high-caliber tasting menus restaurants these days in NYC, beyond the Michelin 3-star places. EMP is a classic choice though.
The question, regarding spending that much money, is really about what kind of experience/food you want. Classic (EMP)? French (Daniel, Jean Georges)? Fish (Le Bernardin, Marea)? More hip (Ko, Brooklyn Fare, Blanca)? Veg-based (Semilla)? Mexican (Chef's Table at Empellon)? Sushi (Nakazawa, Shuko)?
The question, regarding spending that much money, is really about what kind of experience/food you want. Classic (EMP)? French (Daniel, Jean Georges)? Fish (Le Bernardin, Marea)? More hip (Ko, Brooklyn Fare, Blanca)? Veg-based (Semilla)? Mexican (Chef's Table at Empellon)? Sushi (Nakazawa, Shuko)?
Jun 30, 2016, 1:21 pm
#12
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: NYC
Programs: Delta Gold, SPG Gold, HHonors Gold, UA Gold (status match)
Posts: 777
They stagger the reservations so you might have a 5:30 reservation and the next reservation is at 9 or 9:30. Each table gets two turns a night. We personally had service issues there that involved being spilled on and then a glass breaking and shattering at the table. We live in the city and have done many of the fine dining experiences and are not rushing back there.
Jun 30, 2016, 2:52 pm
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: FLL -> Where The Boyars Are
Programs: AA EXP 1.7 M, Hilton Gold, Hertz 5*, AARP Sophomore, 14-time Croix de Candlestick
Posts: 18,669
That was the old ~15-course menu. They switched to a 7-9 course menu at the beginning of this year. I think it should be 2.5-3 hours, can't remember exactly how long ours took. Definitely paced perfectly. I would think they can/do turn the tables for some of the early reservations (e.g., 5-6pm). We ate at 5:30. Definitely didn't feel rushed.
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/06/di...menu.html?_r=0
Jun 30, 2016, 4:08 pm
#14
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 144
Eh, when you factor in that service isn't included at those others (I believe), and if you were to choose the tasting menu, the prices aren't *all* that different.
In fact, Daniel's 7-course tasting is $234, with tax and 20% (pretax) tip, it comes out slightly more than EMP. Le Bernardin can be a bit less, at $180/$215 which gross up to $230/$280. But certainly, you can still experience those chefs' cooking for quite a bit less with the typical 4-course menu.
Also keep in mind that the EMP menu includes foie gras, lobster, and caviar, for no additional supplement.
In fact, Daniel's 7-course tasting is $234, with tax and 20% (pretax) tip, it comes out slightly more than EMP. Le Bernardin can be a bit less, at $180/$215 which gross up to $230/$280. But certainly, you can still experience those chefs' cooking for quite a bit less with the typical 4-course menu.
Also keep in mind that the EMP menu includes foie gras, lobster, and caviar, for no additional supplement.