Eleven Madison Park

11 Madison Avenue

New York, NY 10010

Tel 212 889-0905

July 2008

This was another stupendous dinner at Eleven Madison Park, which has quickly become one of my favorite spots in the city. Every meal I have had recently has been superb. We started with Jacques Selosse’s NV Rosé, a wine I simply adore. This bottle was pure magic and provided immense pleasure as its rich fabric of aromas and flavors kept us literally on the edge of our seats. It was breathtaking. The caviar with baked potato ice cream was a whimsical creation, but it worked beautifully.  My foie gras terrine was also artfully done and simply delicious.

Chef Daniel Humm has an affinity for lobster and I rarely miss a chance to taste his latest creations. The poached lobster was sensational. Morels, peas and mint added a touch of springtime that brightened up the whole table and small taste of lobster bisque served alongside was an inspired choice. Bruno Giacosa’s 1989 Barolo Riserva Collina Rionda is a wine I love to share with friends because it so articulately speaks to the heights Nebbiolo can achieve. This bottle was intensely perfumed, layered and bursting with the essence of this famed Serralunga vineyard. The only problem is we only had one bottle, and it was finished pretty quickly.

Domaine De Montille’s 2005 Volnay Taillepieds was a complete departure from the Giacosa but it too was phenomenal. Black fruit, minerals, flowers and smoke were just some of the nuances that emerged from this deeply-layered, intense Burgundy. The wine was of course much too young, but it provided incredible pleasure and was perfect next to the Colorado Lamb. 

Food:

Royal Sterling Caviar; Baked Potato Ice Cream with Sour Cream and Chives

Foie Gras; Terrine with Cherries, Lemon Balm and Sicilian Pistachios

Nova Scotia Lobster; Poached with Garden Peas, Oregon Morels and Mint

Colorado Lamb; Herb Roasted with Artichoke Barigoule and Petite Silvetta Arugula 

Wine:

--Antonio Galloni