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Originally Posted by jbk999
Wednesday Dinner
Daniel - Surprise highlight. Thought it would be kind of formal and uncomfortable and underwhelming; but was totally wrong. Room is beautiful of course, and the service team had lots of personality and the food was fantastic and surprisingly creative and playful. Added a supplement of the gazpacho to go along with the Foie, the Lobster salad, and the Guinea Hen. The Foie and Guinea Hen were insane dishes - maybe the 2 best things I ate all week. Bread here too is nuts. On way out of restaurant, saw Chef Daniel; and my wife and I spoke with him for 20 minutes. He was incredibly down to earth and a very impressive and funny guy. I really think this should be a 3 star Michelin restaurant...they just do things right here...and hope they get their 3rd star back soon.
Overall, a super fun dining adventure and will absolutely make plans to go back to EMP, Daniel, Le Bernardin, and Blue Hill. I live in LA and Vegas and came away realizing just how amazing the NYC fine dining culture is. They're pros at it. Cannot think of 1 place in LA that I would put in the same league as the list above (maybe Ink, Nobu, Bazaar would slot in) and Vegas has a couple that I would put in the mix (Picasso, Atelier, Joel Robuchon); but the sheer quantity of great restaurants in NYC is staggering.
Daniel is the nuts. I've spoken to him at least 3x there. One night, my gf and I were seated next to the kitchen door and he kept popping out to survey the room and service and diner's reactions. He kept asking us what we thought of every dish - it was all amazing incl the bread as you note. super nice and down to earth.
He doesn't want his 3rd star back, that's based on just hiring way more staff to impress Michelin reviewers. I suspect he'd rather his current staff make more money instead, I know they would.
11 Madison is exquisite.
If you missed Jean Georges, I highly highly recommend it. Flawless service, great room, astonishingly good food, not white glove-y.
Don't forget about Masa. Was amazing.