I tried Eleven Madison Park's new plant-based menu and realized I don't need meat to feel full

Rachel AskinasiAug 4, 2021, 17:24 IST

Eleven Madison Park's new plant-based menu swaps caviar for seeds.Rachel Askinasi/Insider

I visited Eleven Madison Park to try the new plant-based menu.
The 11-course meal costs $335 per customer, including tip and tax but not including beverages.
As a meat-eater, I thought I'd miss the animal protein, but I was surprisingly full after the meal.

Eleven Madison Park, once named the world's best restaurant, was known for the chef's signature duck.

Some of the old menu items, including a chicken in the center. Evan Sung

Now, the team is going plant-based.

The sprouting clay pots in the cases contain the beet course. Rachel Askinasi/Insider

I love meat. Steak, chicken, fish, duck - you name it, I'll eat it.

An old photo of portioned chicken in my freezer. Rachel Askinasi/Insider

When I heard about this No. 1 eatery going plant-based, I had a lot of questions.

This dish of tomatoes was my favorite course. Rachel Askinasi/Insider

So I got dressed up and made my way uptown to try it out for myself.

It felt nice to get dressed up and go out to dinner. Rachel Askinasi/Insider

The first thing that struck me was the beautiful dining room.

There was so much natural light. Rachel Askinasi/Insider

The welcoming staff led me to my seat and handed me two menus that felt like epic novels - the wine and cocktail lists.

Even the ice was branded. Rachel Askinasi/Insider

The 11-course meal started off strong with what I thought was the most surprising of flavor experiences.

Tomato tea at Eleven Madison Park. Rachel Askinasi/Insider

The tomato course continued with a dish of the fruit, dosa, and two dipping options.

Tomato dosa and toppings, which came alongside the dish of tomatoes and strawberries (pictured in slide No. 3). Rachel Askinasi/Insider

The next dish was reminiscent of congee and came in a smoke-filled box.

The celtuce had a bite similar to that of cucumbers. Rachel Askinasi/Insider

A server brought a caviar dish and mother-of-pearl spoon to my table and I briefly forgot that this meal was plant-based.

Tonburi made to look like caviar resting on top of peas. Rachel Askinasi/Insider

The following few dishes all started to taste the same: salty and acidic.

Tofu covered in summer squash (left) and cucumber, melon, and daikon (right). Rachel Askinasi/Insider

The bathroom at Eleven Madison Park feels like the bathroom at a boutique spa.

Even the towels were rolled and stacked. Rachel Askinasi/Insider

My first course post-bathroom intermission was flavorful, but I quickly reverted to thinking everything was just a pile of salt and vinegar.

I liked piling a little of everything onto my fried pepper. Rachel Askinasi/Insider

The beet, which was served table-side in a display of showmanship, was meaty in texture, but, to me, salty in flavor. This is when I realized it was me, not the food.

The beet was cooked in - and presented in - a clay pot. Rachel Askinasi/Insider

Thankfully, dessert was next.

Two separate dessert courses at Eleven Madison Park. Rachel Askinasi/Insider

I didn't finish my dessert, and it wasn't because I didn't like it.

My final course of chocolate and vermouth at Eleven Madison Park. Rachel Askinasi/Insider

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