Eleven Madison Park Is Reopening... And Going Completely Vegan!

Talk about a buzzworthy comeback!

After closing its doors to diners over a year ago, the world's finest and fanciest restaurant, Eleven Madison Park, is finally slated to return on June 10th - with a totally meatless menu.

Chef and restaurateur Daniel Humm confirmed the big news with a statement on the restaurant's homepage, pointing to the pandemic as a big reason for enacting the change:

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.

With that in mind, I’m excited to share that we’ve made the decision to serve a plant-based menu in which we do not use any animal products — every dish is made from vegetables, both from the earth and the sea, as well as fruits, legumes, fungi, grains, and so much more.

Throughout the city's struggle with COVID, Humm and his Eleven Madison Park team pivoted their efforts towards giving back, first turning their kitchen into a commissary to provide meals for first responders and healthcare workers, then launching a food truck to deliver meals to food-insecure New Yorkers in need.

When the restaurant reopens, that commitment to giving back will be a major part of the business model. Every dinner purchased will go towards meals delivered by the Eleven Madison Truck, which is operated in partnership with Rethink Food NYC. "We’ve created a circular ecosystem where our guests, our team, and our suppliers all participate," Humm said in his statement.

The exciting announcement has foodies and plant-based advocates buzzing about the future of fine-dining and vegan cuisine. And while Humm and his team will surely be taking an innovative approach to meat-free cooking, the question remains: Will the restaurant's wealthy regulars cough up hundreds of dollars for a meal without foie gras?

We'll just have to wait and see how fast those reservations go when they open up on May 10th!

[Photos via Eleven Madison Park/ @danielhumm]