There's absolutely no denying that Daniel Humm is a culinary genius (verging, perhaps, on mad scientist) who is set on making the world a better place through food, whether he's quietly delivering meals to New Yorkers in need or overhauling his world-renowned restaurant to make the menu more sustainable.
But alas, not even he can deny the desires of the ultrarich. Money may not buy happiness, but it will get you some beautifully prepared beef at the now-vegan Eleven Madison Park.
Since announcing the admirable yet controversial decision to reopen as a completely plant-based eatery, Eleven Madison Park has traded lavender-honey glazed duck and butter poached lobster for "vegan caviar," plates of tomatoes, and what sounds like some rather complicated beets. Despite doing away with the fancy meat and seafood dishes, however, the 10-course dinner still costs a cool $335.
And while the general dining population at this place isn't exactly slumming it with the standard tasting menu, chichi carnivores can apparently circumvent the restaurant's new policy - if they're willing to throw down the big bucks.
Notorious New York Times food critic Pete Wells revealed the saucy secret towards the end of his journalistic evisceration of the new veggie-focused offerings, almost resentfully pointing to the fact that there is indeed some meat on the premises.
"Until the year ends, the menu offered to customers who book a private dining room includes an optional beef dish, roasted tenderloin with fermented peppers and black lime," Wells wrote. "It’s some kind of metaphor for Manhattan, where there’s always a higher level of luxury, a secret room where the rich eat roasted tenderloin while everybody else gets an eggplant canoe."
The hottest restaurant in NYC is clearly the secret beef room at Eleven Madison Park https://t.co/6OAIAY3TCZ pic.twitter.com/aWeYs3XZIL
— Greg Morabito (@GregMorabito) September 28, 2021
Who would have guessed that in 2021, the rallying cry of the revolution would be "Where's the beef?!"
[Photo via @elevenmadisonpark]
.jpg "How Comms Guru & Founder Of The PR Net Lisa Smith Put Her Stylish Stamp On The Industry")
.jpg "Who Are The Assoulines? Meet The Chic First Family Of Luxury Publishing")
.jpg "Who Is Nats Getty? The Oil Heir & Trans Activist Is Living Life Loud & Proud")
.jpg "Worldly Socialite Haya Maraka's Elegant Etiquette Tips For The Modern Lady")
.jpg "Haute Hostess Christine Chiu's Guide To Throwing The Most Fabulous Fête")
.jpg "Chef Angie Mar Whips Up Fine Dining Chicken Nuggets & Grilled Cheese With Her Young Gourmands Club")
