I love to cook. I’m decent at it, but I could never be a chef. While I consider myself a creative person, I’ve never really created my own dishes, but, rather, rely on cookbooks to tell me exactly what to do. Sure, sometimes I make adjustments here and there, based on personal preference, but for … Continue reading Frenchie: Roasted Carrots with Tarragon, Feta, and Kumquats
The Prune cookbook was a heavily anticipated release, and I was excited when I first received it. I used to live a few blocks away from the acclaimed restaurant, and while I made it there for a brunch a few times (ah…. the days before kids), I’ve never been for dinner. The cookbook is intriguing, … Continue reading Prune: Toasted Manti with Yogurt
The bright sunlight belligerently pushed its way through my bedroom shades and straight into my still-sleepy eyes. I struggled to open them. Looking at the clock, I realized it was 8:30 AM, and I was late. I quickly got up, threw on my pants and a jacket, texted my still-sleeping wife that I was running … Continue reading Eleven Madison Park: Potato Salad with Black Truffle and Egg
This was one dish that I was very excited to make. I had read about this for years: it was the dish that made Danny Meyer— while dining at San Francisco’s Campton Place— realize he found his new Eleven Madison Park chef in Daniel Humm. I really enjoy making EMP foie gras dishes, as they … Continue reading Eleven Madison Park: Foie Gras with Maple Syrup
This was exciting: an Eleven Madison dish that doesn’t have 10 subrecipes and is actually relatively straightforward to make? Sounds too good to be true! To be honest, it was hard for me to imagine how this brief list of simple ingredients would pull together to taste like something worthy of the “world’s best restaurant.” It … Continue reading Eleven Madison Park: Kohlrabi with Asian Pear and Hazelnuts
I love bone marrow. Personally, I would use it in pretty much any preparation imaginable, with the possible exception of ice cream. My wife, however, would beg to differ. Don’t get me wrong — she loves marrow, too. However, she feels that using it in any dish other than Fergus Henderson’s classic rendition would be … Continue reading Eleven Madison Park: Bone Marrow with Caviar
This blog originally started as a way for me to document my experiences cooking through the Eleven Madison Park: The Next Chapter cookbook. I had cooked through dozens of recipes from the restaurant’s first book, and for the most part they were very rewarding. I had the same excitement for this new edition, but I … Continue reading Eleven Madison Park: Brook Trout with Celery Root and Apples
Back of the House 