If you were a foodie in 2024, you probably spent a significant amount of time arguing about beets. Specifically, you were likely arguing about whether a beet should cost as much as a designer handbag. At the center of that storm was Eleven Madison Park, often called EMP by the locals. Looking back, we can see that the 2024 era was a unique, experimental window in culinary history. It was the peak of Chef Daniel Humm’s total focus on a plant-based menu before the restaurant reintroduced select animal proteins in late 2025.

So what was it actually like to drop over a thousand dollars on a dinner where the stars of the show were vegetables? Have you ever wondered if a carrot could actually change your life? For many, the 2024 signature dinner was less of a traditional meal and more of a high-stakes performance. It was a moment when one of the most famous dining rooms in the world decided to stop playing the hits and start an entirely new genre.

The EMP Vibe Check - From Formal Icon to Plant-Powered Powerhouse

For decades, Eleven Madison Park was the place you went for honey lavender duck and a certain kind of old school New York grandeur. It was formal. It was predictable in its excellence. But when the restaurant reopened in 2021 with a vegan mission, the vibe shifted. By 2024, the "stuffy" reputation had largely evaporated, replaced by something that felt more like a modern art gallery than a traditional dining room.

The setting is still one of the most beautiful in Manhattan. You have those massive windows looking out over Madison Square Park and the towering Art Deco ceilings that make you feel like you are in a cathedral of gastronomy. But the attitude in 2024 was different. It was lighter. There was a sense that the kitchen was trying to prove something to the world. They wanted to show that luxury is not about expensive ingredients like caviar or wagyu. Instead, they argued that luxury is about the labor, time, and creativity required to make a radish taste like a revelation.

This pivot was a massive gamble. Some critics called it a brave move for the planet, while others felt it was a step away from what made the restaurant great. But for the diner sitting at one of those linen-draped tables in 2024, it meant you were part of a culinary experiment that was being discussed in every corner of the globe.

Decoding the Signature Tasting Menu

The 2024 signature tasting menu was a marathon, not a sprint. You were looking at nine to eleven courses that would easily take three hours of your evening. The price tag was a cool $365 per person for the full experience in the main dining room.¹ This did not even include your drinks or the 20 percent tip that was expected on top of the prepaid reservation.

One of the most talked about dishes of that year was the Tonburi. Often called "land caviar," these are actually the seeds of a burning bush plant. EMP served them with a level of precision that made you forget you were eating seeds. They had the pop and the brine of traditional sturgeon roe but with a completely earthy, vegetal finish. It was the digital equivalent of a cover song that sounds better than the original.

Then there was the Hasselback potato. It sounds simple, right? But this was a potato that had been sliced with surgical accuracy and treated with more care than most people treat their firstborn children. It was often served with a chive blossom or a complex koji based sauce that provided the savory "umami" hit that people usually get from meat. The kitchen relied heavily on fermentation and house made oils to make sure you didn't leave feeling like you just ate a very expensive salad. They used these techniques to create layers of flavor that were deep, salty, and surprisingly rich.²

Service with a Smile and Serious Skill

If you knew EMP in the mid 2010s, you remember the "magic tricks." The staff used to research guests to provide personalized surprises, like bringing in a specific brand of soda you mentioned you liked. By 2024, the service had matured into something more "New York cool." It was still incredibly professional, but it felt a bit more efficient and perhaps a little more distant than the whimsical years.

But the skill level remained unmatched. The way the staff moved through the room was like a choreographed ballet. They knew exactly when you needed a refill on your water without you ever having to catch someone's eye. There were still moments of genuine connection, too. If you showed a real interest in the fermentation process, a server might whisk you back for a quick kitchen tour to see the jars of koji and aging vegetables.

The sommelier experience was also a highlight, especially if you were not a wine expert. They managed to handle a massive cellar without making you feel intimidated. But the real star was the non alcoholic pairing. For $115, you could get a series of "zero-proof" drinks that were just as complex as the wine. They used house-made vermouth crafted from Niagara grape juice and over 18 botanicals.³ These drinks had the "bite" and the tannins of alcohol without the hangover, which was a game changer for diners who wanted to stay sharp for all eleven courses.

Practical Tips for Your Eleven Madison Park Adventure

Is it truly a life-changing meal? That depends on your expectations. If you are going there expecting to be "full" in the way a steakhouse fills you up, you might be disappointed. But if you are going for the theater and the sheer audacity of the cooking, it is a world-class experience.

Booking a table in 2024 required the reflexes of a professional gamer. Reservations opened on the first of the month on Tock and usually vanished within minutes. The process was entirely prepaid and non-refundable, which meant you were committed to the meal weeks before you actually sat down.

For the dress code, don't overthink it. Although the room is grand, New York fine dining has become more relaxed. You will see plenty of people in well-tailored suits, but you will also see high-end knitwear and designer sneakers. As long as you look like you put in an effort, you will fit right in. The key is to be comfortable enough to sit through a three-hour meal without your waistband protesting.

Top Recommendations for Your Visit

If you are planning a visit to this iconic corner of Madison Square Park, here are a few ways to make the most of it.

  • The Bar Tasting Menu: If the $365 price tag is too steep, try the lounge. You get a shorter five-course version of the menu for around $195 to $225, and the vibe is a bit more casual.
  • The NA Vermouth: Even if you are a wine lover, ask for a taste of the house made non alcoholic vermouth at the end of the meal. It is one of the most unique things they produce.³
  • The Kitchen Tour: Don't be afraid to ask if it is possible to see the kitchen. If the timing is right and the staff isn't slammed, they are often happy to show off the "engine room" where the magic happens.

Lingering Thoughts and Lasting Impressions

Looking back at the 2024 signature dinner experience, was the plant-based approach successful? In terms of creativity, the answer is a resounding yes. The kitchen pushed the boundaries of what we thought vegetables could do. They forced us to look at a beet or a sunflower and see something luxurious.

Compared to other NYC fine dining spots of that era, EMP felt like it was in a category of its own. Although other three-star restaurants were still leaning on truffles and caviar to justify their prices, EMP was leaning on pure imagination. It wasn't always perfect. Some diners found the heavy use of salt and fermentation a bit one-note over eleven courses. But it was never boring.

If you are an adventurous foodie, the 2024 era of Eleven Madison Park was something you had to experience at least once. It was a bold, four year creative experiment that challenged the very definition of fine dining. Even as the restaurant has evolved into its current "flexitarian" model in 2026, the lessons learned during those plant-based years continue to influence every plate that leaves the kitchen. It remains a cornerstone of the New York food scene, proving that even the most established icons aren't afraid to break the rules and start over.

Sources:

1. Eleven Madison Park FAQ

2. Eleven Madison Park 2024 Diner Reviews

3. Eleven Madison Park Non-Alcoholic Vermouth

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