New York: Meat-serving resurgence at previously vegan restaurant
Eleven Madison Park Embraces Flexitarian Menu, Returns Meat and Fish
After four years as a vegan restaurant, Eleven Madison Park (EMP) has announced a change in its approach, reintroducing meat and fish to its menu. The world-renowned New York eatery, under the leadership of Swiss chef Daniel Humm, is now offering a flexitarian-style menu that caters to both plant-based and meat-eating guests.
The decision to return to animal products is primarily driven by a desire to be more inclusive and welcoming, providing guests with a choice rather than an all-or-nothing vegan approach. Chef Humm, in an interview with the "New York Times", mentioned that creating both creative and economically viable menus without animal products had become challenging. He emphasized that "eating together is the essence of who we are," and to truly support plant-based cuisine, the restaurant must create an environment where everyone feels comfortable dining together.
The fall 2025 menu, priced at $365 for seven to nine courses, allows guests to choose either a fully plant-based menu or one that incorporates animal products. Iconic dishes like the signature duck with lavender-honey glaze will now feature meat. The menu will primarily remain plant-based, but will include individual dishes featuring animal products such as oysters, lobster, and potentially chicken.
During its vegan years, EMP maintained three Michelin stars and attracted celebrity guests like David Beckham, earning Chef Humm a UNESCO ambassador title. However, behind the scenes, the fully plant-based model presented economic challenges, notably affecting private event bookings and overall inclusivity of the dining experience. The return of meat and fish has been reported as a thoughtful "u-turn" welcomed by industry commentators as a pragmatic and inclusive evolution.
The restaurant's initial foray into vegan dining was seen as a political statement, leading some meat-eating guests to feel unwelcome. By offering both plant-based and animal-based options, EMP aims to create a more welcoming environment for all diners. The change in menu was announced by Daniel Humm on Instagram, and those wishing to stick to a fully vegan menu can still do so at Eleven Madison Park.
In conclusion, Eleven Madison Park’s return to meat and fish is no longer merely a creative or environmental imperative but a strategic, inclusive, and economic choice to broaden appeal and enrich the dining experience while continuing to promote plant-based cuisine.
- Eleven Madison Park's economic and social policy shift, as reflected in the return of meat and fish to its menu, is aimed at inclusivity and providing a lifestyle choice for all guests.
- The restaurant's decision to cater to both vegan and meat-eating diners extends beyond food, and might also influence the fashion-and-beauty products used in their amenities or the technology incorporated in its services.
- As Eleven Madison Park broadens its menu offerings, it may also consider offering travel itineraries that include sustainable food-and-drink experiences, as well as sports events that promote an active and healthy lifestyle.
