Snow Won’t Stop Me: Lunching At Eleven Madison

New York City has been hit hard this winter season with multiple snow storms that have been cluttering up our streets and making it hard to get from place to place, and frankly—I’m sick of it. Unfortunately, if you live in the city you’re expected to go into work and that’s where I was this past Friday morning. I was supposed to be meeting up with a colleague for a business luncheon at a local spot right near my office. I figured it was a pop-in-and-out sort of thing and I could brave the blustering, snowy winds.

She called an hour before we were supposed to meet and said our luncheon spot wasn’t serving due to the storm. But, she found one that was: Eleven Madison Park. “Yes, absolutely, see you there!” was my answer as I hung up the phone. Nothing—not even a dreaded NYC snowstorm—was going to keep me from lunching in one of the best and most beautiful restaurants in all the world.

Now, I’ve been at Eleven Madison twice before and both times were stunning. The food is top notch and the service is impeccable. It’s no wonder that Frank Bruni gave Danny Meyer’s beloved spot the 4-star before heading for the exits. But I haven’t been back since I’ve discovered that I have a gluten allergy, and I was once again so pleased at how accommodating the restaurant was.

The waiters asked immediately if there were any food allergies, and then brought over a gluten free bread basket. They were able to make the tuna tartare, which I desperately wanted, gluten-free by eliminating the soy sauce. My main course was salmon and I’m normally not a big salmon freak, but it was of course amazing. It has pieces of diakon with a citrus sauce drizzled over it that made me feel like I was in Seattle.  

When there’s snow on the ground, I tend to hibernate, dress in layers and drink tons of tea. I’m usually not braving the elements with rain boots and umbrellas, all the while staying alert for falling icicles from Manhattan skyscrapers. But when I heard Eleven Madison was calling—you couldn’t stop me from answering.

Eleven Madison Park

11 Madison Avenue,

N.Y., N.Y.

10010

212-889-0918

http://www.elevenmadisonpark.com/

Price $$$$