This June, NYC’s three-Michelin-starred restaurant—Eleven Madison Park (EMP)—will reopen with a new, 100% plant-based menu. Owner and chef, Daniel Humm, recently announced the relaunch is set for June 10.
The newly imagined vegan menu comes as a result of Chef Humm’s decision to evolve the restaurant’s business model after being closed for the past 15 months.
“In the midst of last year, when we began to imagine what EMP would be like after the pandemic—when we started to think about food in creative ways again—we realized that not only has the world changed, but that we have changed as well. We have always operated with sensitivity to the impact we have on our surroundings, but it was becoming ever clearer that the current food system is simply not sustainable, in so many ways,” Chef Humm said in a statement.
While EMP has always been known for dishes like honey lavender duck and foie gras, the restaurant will now focus on recreating dishes that are just as elaborate, but contain no animal products. The EMP team is currently focusing on developing fully plant-based milks, butters, and creams, as well as flavorful vegetable broths, stocks, and fermentation techniques.
“I find myself most moved and inspired by dishes that center impeccably prepared vegetables, and have naturally gravitated towards a more plant-based diet. This decision was inspired by the challenge to get to know our ingredients more deeply and to push ourselves creatively. It wasn’t clear from the onset where we would end up. We promised ourselves that we would only change direction if the experience would be as memorable as before,” says Chef Humm.
In addition, for every dinner purchased at EMP upon reopening, the restaurant will provide five meals to New Yorkers in need. The food will be delivered by the Eleven Madison Truck, operated in partnership with the restaurant staff and Rethink Food.
While details on the new menu items have not been released, the estimated cost of the tasting menu at EMP will be about $335 per person, which includes gratuity. For more information and to read Chef Humm’s letter on the reopening, visit ElevenMadisonPark.com.
Photo credit: Sebastian Nevols
