Back to it....

I have been on hiatus after having a fabulous meal in New York City in March.  I had every intention of blogging about my experience at 11 Madison Park, but I could not figure out how to start writing about that experience.  I arrived for lunch on a Friday afternoon and was dining solo.  I decided since I was going all out with the 3 course lunch, I decided to go with the wine pairings as well.  I quickly found out that this dining experience would be like no other I have had.  First the menu was simply a selection of ingredients.  You pick which ones you want and let them know of any allergies and they create your course around that ingredient.  I went with carrot, chicken, and chocolate.  In addition they had various amuses to start with which were delectable!  I really can't do justice to the food so I will simply post some pictures of the items that arrived at my table.



Beet Lollipop - Mmmm!!!

Carrot Course



Chicken

  

Chocolate
























2nd Dessert






After dessert, the manager came over to my table and asked me if she could show me the kitchen!  Of course!!  I was taken back to the kitchen and saw the huge number of people they had back there preparing the wonderful meal.  Then someone came over and made me a final cocktail to send me off.  Not sure what all it had in it, but it was frozen with dry ice.  At one point I said "well, this probably isn't very foodie of me, but this reminds me of pop rocks."  Turned out it WAS pop rocks.  Wild!

So ended a fabulous meal at a fabulous restaurant.  I found out that Eleven Madison Park was named Outstanding Restaurant USA 2011 by the James Beard Foundation.  This is similar to the Oscars for the foodie world.  Well deserved!