New York EMP Lunch

[lhenry]

We will be visiting New York City again this June, and have pretty much set our minds on Lunch at Eleven Madison Park. This will be our first time dining here, but not at a restaurant of this caliber (dined at Daniel Christmas Eve), and am wondering what the Lunch menu's are like, how they work, how many are there, etc.

[Charles Yu]

This was my experience last week.
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/847366

[lhenry]

I emailed them, and they said that there is no supplement if everyone at the table ordered it as there meat course.

[kathryn]

Thanks for the update!

[lhenry]

Okay I'm getting really exited, but just to make sure, is the duck an added supplement to the 4-course?

[kathryn]

Do you want the duck as your entree on the 4 course? Or do you want 5 courses of food?

[lhenry]

I want the duck as the four course? But is it prepared differently for the 5th course?

[Spiritchaser]

What Kathryn was asking is would you prefer to have the duck as part of the 4 course or would you like the duck as an additional course added to the standard 4 course at additional cost the duck is the duck is the duck, no different preperation.

[lhenry]

I didn't mean to put the question mark after course, but I want the duck instead of my meat course. next guy said that there is no additional cost if you do it that way, is this true?

[lhenry]

Is This True?

[kathryn]

The best way to confirm may be to call and ask.

[miltronix]

We were charged $70 even though it was one of our 4 courses. I was told on the phone that it would not be an upcharge if part of our 4 course but it was there when I got the bill. Since we were celebrating my wife's birthday, I was not looking to argue about the bill even if it seemed like the cost were incorrectly communicated.

[lhenry]

I think that I've decided on the 4-course, but what courses do you guys recommend?

[kathryn]

Items on the grid change frequently, the preps change frequently, so it's hard to predict what they'll be serving in June.

[lhenry]

But do they have classics, I've heard about the duck and considered getting that?

[kathryn]

The duck is the only "classic" that comes to mind, but it is usually not on the menu. You'll need to request it in advance and it will take the place of the "meat" for both of you,

[lhenry]

By, in advance do you mean when I make the reservation?

[kathryn]

Yes, to be safe, as it is aged, and they on occasions don't have it available.

[lhenry]

And just to make sure, there is no extra charge on the 4-course? Thanks for all the information by the way.

[kyra2224]

I just went to EMP for lunch two days ago, visiting from Toronto. We got the foie gras - lobster - beef - chocolate and my boyfriend got the asparagus - cobia - pork - chamomile. The duck was available that day but we decided to each get our own wine pairing and share all the food. Lots of amuse bouches prior to the lunch. We were maybe opting for the tasting as well but we had dinner plans as well. Lunch will make you very full but they gave me the impression that the tasting should be the only meal you eat that day.

It was an incredible experience and probably one of the top meals I have had.

[lhenry]

Would the restaurant allow for one person to get the 4-course and the other get the tasting?

[kathryn]

Based upon my last visit, no. We were told the entire table had to do the tasting together.

[lhenry]

Is the 4-course lunch good too, because everyone has only talked about the tasting?

[Spiritchaser]

Absolutely! And with all the little extras you'll feel like it is much more than 4 courses,

[kathryn]

Nothing wrong at all with the four course, and it's delicious! Plus, it's better if you have specific preferences. Also it is easier to choose 8 different things and try each other's dishes.

[lhenry]

Is the tasting menu worth the extra money?

[kathryn]

Depends on what you like to eat. The 7 courses on the tasting menu are typically two vegetable, foie gras, seafood/fish, a meat, cheese, and dessert. The tasting may not be the way to go if you don't want that format.

For example, we did the 4 course when I went in Decemer: crab, lobster, seared foie, winter truffle pasta, duck for two (off menu/available by request), dark chocolate, blue cheese. Basically one of my dream meals because it was tailored to my preferences (I like vegetables and fish but other things jumped out at me more).

Also you'll both be served the same preparation of a course unless you specifically request otherwise.

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/836843
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/834258

Either way, you'll have a wonderful, leisurely meal, with great service.

[lhenry]

The 4-course sound like more than 4 selections, how were you able to get more?

[kathryn]

Two people, four courses each, but we had the duck for two, so seven selections.

[deepfry7]

Kathryn, may I ask how much was the duck for two supplement, if you remember?

[kathryn]

Sorry, I don't remember!

[nextguy]

The duck is a 95$ supplement with the tasting menu. They allow you to take the duck instead of the main meat course on the 4 course tasting with no extra charge. It is a very good deal since it ends up being 2 courses. The first is the breast, and then they return later with a confit leg.

[Splendid Wine Snob]

Yes, especially for lunch.

[streaksinthesky]

i did the 8 course lunch tasting for $125 back in january and confirmed with our server that the experience was exactly the same as what is offered at dinner for $195. the meal took over four hours and in addition to the eight proper course, several extras were included.

[nextguy]

Wow I did the tasting earlier this month at lunch time in under 3.

[Spiritchaser]

We just did the lunch tasting, started at 1230 and we were still there when they were seating for dinner, to each his own.

[lhenry]

Okay, thanks for the information.

[kathryn]

From their site:

Our menu format is intended to offer an experience in which our guests can enjoy the inherent surprise of a tasting menu, while still maintaining some control. Dishes are listed solely by their principal ingredients, and guests are invited to make their selections, share any thoughts or preferences, including any ingredient dislikes, and allow us to design their meal from there.

Lunch- Four Courses for $74, Tasting Menu for $125
Dinner- Four Courses for $125, Tasting Menu for $195

Sample 4 course menu - this changes all the time:
http://elevenmadisonpark.com/PDFS/samplemenu.pdf

The courses of the tasting menu are usually not listed.

Eleven Madison Park is open for lunch Monday through Friday, noon–2:00p.m. No weekend lunch. They are closed Sundays.

For reservations, call 212.889.0905 or use www.opentable.com.

They open up their books at 9am exactly 28 days (4 weeks) in advance, counting the current day. You should book at 9am right when your date is first available; otherwise, you risk not getting in. I recommend having both your phone AND your computer handy.

[Spiritchaser]

There are only 2 menus available for lunch in the dining room. There is the 4 course comprised of the well documented "grid" and it changes so it's hard to say what will be on it during your visit. There is also the option of the tasting menu which is a longer format.