Eleven Madison Park š„š„
A wine journey that pushes boundariesāone not to be missed, nor easily forgotten.
šļø Venue Information
Website: https://www.elevenmadisonpark.com/
Location: New York, New York, USA
Head Chef: Daniel Humm
Head Sommelier and / or Beverage Director: Sebastian Tollius
Estimated USD Cost Per Person (incl. drinks): $750
Culinary Recognition(s): 3 Michelin Stars
š„ Core Scoring Criteria (1ā10 each)
š„š„ Two Glasses ā An exceptional program worth a detour
Program Identity | 8
A program as interesting as it is unexpected. Leave any preconceived notions at the door and stay open-minded. Eleven Madison Park presents a remarkably high-quality lineup of lesser-known grapes and producers, including bottles reaching back nearly 40 years. Itās as if to say: these are some of the best wines youāll drinkāyou just havenāt heard of them yet.
Depth & Quality | 9
From Timorasso, to a little-known estate in BrĆ©zĆ©, to a 1989 Napa Cabernet crafted in a distinctly French style, the depth of Eleven Madisonās Reserve Wine Tasting is unmistakable. Though many of the producers may be unfamiliar, the length, complexity, and power of the wines make their quality immediately evident.
Service & Knowledge | 9
Aspiring advanced-level sommelier Brian Kim, formerly a line cook at the acclaimed Marea on Central Park South, brings both deep knowledge and an easy, approachable humor to every wine he presents. Unafraid of technical questions, Brianāand indeed his entire teamāremains attentive to guestsā needs and readily engages in lively, thoughtful conversation throughout the experience.
Pairing & Integration | 9
As long as youāre ready for eight full glasses of wine followed by a house-made vermouth for dessert, this pairing is, quite simply, exceptionally well conceived. Acid cuts through fat, sweetness meets sweetness, and thereās enough structure to stand up to even Eleven Madisonās most iconic dishes. Throughout the meal, whatās in the glass is as enjoyable as it is a refreshing reset between bites.
Accessibility & Experience | 7
To reiterate, preconceived notions have no place hereāthese wines are wholly unique. That singularity makes the pairing more distinctive than accessible, but it also creates an experience youāre unlikely to find anywhere else.
Innovation & Influence | 8
Leaving this experience prompts several thoughts, not least of which is: where can I find that bottle of insert your favorite glass here? As if supported by the nearly mythical influence of the restaurant itself, Eleven Madison is promoting seldom seen producers simply as a function of being on the menu.
Total Score: 50.1/60
š„š„A wine journey that pushes boundariesāone not to be missed, nor easily forgotten.
š§© Table Harmony
š Exceptional Harmony ā Deep integration between kitchen and beverage team
The pairings at Eleven Madison feel as if they were conceived in the mind of an eccentric genius. With two tiers to choose from, guests can decide just how far they want to lean into the experience. The Reserve Wine Tasting, in particular, reads like a mission to spotlight forward-thinking producers while pairing each wine with remarkable precision to the dishes methodically placed before you.
Take the scallop ceviche: bright with citrus, layered in texture, and met with a full, structured, mid-acid Chenin Blanc that not only elevates the flavors but mirrors the dishās thematic coreāas if the sommelier thought, āShellfish? Letās find a wine born from fossilized shells.ā Beyond the harmony from plate to glass, the technical acumen behind this pairing program is unmistakably top tier.
š·ļø Specialty Tags
āš· Wine-Led
ā šŗ Beer-Focused
āšø Cocktail-Driven
āš¶ Sake Specialist
āš§ Spirits-Led
āš Terroir-First
āā»ļø Sustainable Cellar
āš¬ Technique-Driven
āš§ Education-Centric
āš Rare & Iconic Bottles
āš Global Range
āš Locally Rooted
Our expectation is that this wine program will continue to evolveāby the week, by the day, and perhaps even by the service. It wouldnāt be surprising to see a steady rotation of intriguing, singular producers, making each visit to Eleven Madison as distinctive as the restaurantās allure and reputation.
š£ļø Inspector Summary
Sitting down at Eleven Madison Park is as much a treat as it is an emotional experience. From the moment you arrive, the maĆ®tre dāhĆ“tel greets you as though you were expected, welcoming you with genuine warmth and immediately drawing you into the orbit of this iconic restaurant. As youāre escorted to your table, the space unfolds before you: soaring, twenty-foot vaulted ceilings from the former Credit Suisse headquarters, a room that feels modern yet touches lightly on the glamour of The Great Gatsby.
But despite the grandeur, this is no stodgy institution. It is run by a team of energetic, talented twenty- and thirty-somethings who have infused the dining room with their own sense of style. The music is upbeat, just audible beneath the lively hum of conversation. Interactions between guests and staff feel natural, unforced. And for a restaurant of such statureāone that could easily intimidateāthere is an unexpected ease to settling into the blue velvet banquettes, as though youāve taken a seat in the living room of a close friend. It is the epitome of high-class comfort.
Guests are free to spend as much or as little time as theyād like savoring each glass and each dish. The beverage program is immensely enjoyable, impressively technical, and a pleasure to watch unfold tableside. For any wine lover, it resonates deeply; for the uninitiated, it may well ignite a new fascination. Leaving the three-hour lunch, the mind wanders: Where can I find that bottle? When can we return?