Eleven Madison Park, one of the city's most decorated restaurants, will close this summer to completely overhaul the space and the menu. Owners Will Guidara and Daniel Humm revealed their plans to the Times, telling the paper it was "time for a change."
On June 9th, the restaurant will close to begin renovations, addressing issues like an out-of-date kitchen and altering the restaurant's Art Deco design with something more contemporary. Guidara and Humm bought the restaurant from Danny Meyer in 2011 and haven't made major changes since then.
Brad Cloepfil, who's been brought on board for the alterations, promises not to horrify NYC's dining elite with the grand changes. "I'm not making a design statement," he told the paper of record. "If people are startled, I will have failed."
Changes extend to Humm's menu, too, though he hasn't released specifics. Before the big overhaul, EMP will do a greatest hits tour of sorts, including some whimsical dishes from their tenure at the restaurant:
In mid-April, before Eleven Madison Park closes, the partners will replace its current menu with an 11-course, $295 tasting menu recalling favorites over the years. Dishes will include sea urchin cappuccino, carrot tartare, foie gras with maple syrup, poached chicken with black truffles, and the creamy-crunchy dessert called Milk and Honey.
The restaurant's staff won't be left completely in the lurch, as the team will be opening up a Hamptons restaurant, EMP Summer House, in late June that'll be staffed by current workers at Eleven Madison Park. A representative for the restaurant tells Gothamist that housing and transportation to the temporary restaurant will be provided to employees.
One potential sticky wicket: the restaurant only accepts American Express and only AMEX cardholders will be able to make reservations. So...time to get one of those fancy blue cards or find a rich bankroller in the Hamptons who already has one.
Humm and Guidara are also in the midst of opening a fast casual concept, Made Nice, in the Flatiron. The rep also tells us they're awaiting ConEd's go-ahead and they'll be ready.
