<a target="_blank" href="http://elevenmadisonpark.com/">Eleven Madison Park</a> 

11 Madison Avenue 

New York, NY 10010 

Tel 212 889-0905March 2008

This was my second phenomenal meal at Eleven Madison Park in
the span of a few weeks. This time around, we thought it might be fun to order
Chef Daniel Humm’s “Gourmand” tasting menu to get a deeper sense of his style.
The succession of small tastes was brilliant. Each dish sparkled with
creativity and freshness. There were a number of especially profound dishes on
the menu, but those we enjoyed most included the Cape Cod Bay crab, the foie
gras and the Black Angus beef. The Nova Scotia lobster was probably the most
deeply satisfying course, as the combination of perfectly cooked sweet lobster
meat and morels was divine. It alone was worth the price of admission. The
halibut dish would have been superb, but it was ever so slightly overcooked.

Our wines were equally delicious. As always, Wine Director
John Ragan and his staff did a fabulous job with the service. Domaine Schoffit 2005 Riesling Rangen Clos
Saint-Théobald was a compelling wine that developed beautifully with air.
It showed off gorgeous notes of lime peel, passion fruit, jasmine and minerals
and a full-bodied, generous personality. The wine’s underlying minerality and
constantly changing aromas and flavors made in an especially versatile wine
with our first courses. Fourrier’s 2005
Chambolle - Musigny Les Gruenchers Vielles Vignes revealed superb depth and
richness with subtle notes of game, earthiness and tar that added complexity to
the wine’s sweet, dark fruit. This was an especially powerful and masculine
expression of Chambolle. The 2003
Vouvray Moelleux Cuvée Constance from Huet
was an unexpected surprise. This sweet, full-bodied wine flowed onto the palate
with a gorgeous expression of candied apricots, baking spices, flowers and
orange peel. Most of its appeal was immediate, as the wine lacked some
persistence, but it was a joy to drink alongside our cheeses. All in all, this
was a superb dinner. Anyone interested in the finest New York City has to offer
in food and wine owes themselves a visit to Eleven Madison Park.

Food:

Royal Sterling caviar, soft poached Knoll Crest Farm egg and
tapioca

Heirloom beets, liquid sphere with Lynnhaven “Chèvre Frais”

Cape Cod Bay crab, roulade with avocado, lime and yogurt

Foie gras terrine with rhubarb, celery and pickled ramps

Wild Atlantic halibut seared with cauliflower, green almonds
and crayfish

Nova Scotia lobster poached with wild nettles and Oregon
morels

Niman Ranch pork belly sous-vide with peas à la Française

Black Angus beef, herb roasted with asparagus, parmesan and
sauce Bordelaise

Selection of farmstead cheeses

Strawberry vacherin, basil and black pepper

Chocolate peanut butter palette with popcorn ice cream

Wine:

<table>
 <tbody><tr>
 <td>
 2005
 </td>
 <td>
 Domaine Schoffit Riesling Rangen Clos Saint-Théobald
 </td>
 <td>
 92
 </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>
 2005
 </td>
 <td>
 Fourrier Chambolle- Musigny Les Gruenchers Vielles Vignes
 </td>
 <td>
 91
 </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>
 2003
 </td>
 <td>
 Huet Vouvray Moelleux Cuvée Constance
 </td>
 <td>
 93</td></tr></tbody></table>

--Antonio Galloni

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