The grand finale to our three-day weekend in New York City was experiencing the gastronomical creations of Chef Daniel Humm at Eleven Madison Park, recently crowned with three Michelin stars to add to their impressive list of accolades including multiple James Beard Foundation awards.
Since my former superior organizational skills and ability to plan in advance have seemingly vacated my frontal cortex, I was on Eleven Madison Park’s wait list for Monday evening and was thrilled when the restaurant called on Saturday afternoon with an 8:00 p.m. opening. EMP is located in the stunning former MetLife building on Madison Avenue in the Flatiron district so I was psyched about landing a coveted reservation, but also because I just happened to be in the area to meet Victoria of Mission: Food for lunch at Boqueria Tapas Bar and Restaurant and could walk by to snap some photos afterward.
We loved the lively atmosphere and the Iberian tapas and sangria at Boqueria and afterwards took a stroll around the Flatiron District and meandered by Madison Square Park, marveled at all the culinary delights found in the enormous market Eataly, checked out the line at the famous Shake Shack and took advantage of the beautiful, crisp day to get a few clicks of the Flatiron Building and Eleven Madison Park.
Shown here are the sangria, Spanish omelet and Tortilla Española, Cojonudo – Fried quail eggs and chorizo on toast and Quesos y Embutidos – Spanish artisanal cured meats and cheese with pain con tomate. If you’re craving more pics and information, please visit Mission: Food for Victoria’s complete review.
But let’s get back to Eleven Madison Park and the recipe for their amazing granola shall we?
Defined by exemplary service and pure market-driven cuisine that is superbly artistic and complex, there is no shortage of gushing reviews of Eleven Madison Park and, especially since the menu changes from season to season, I see no reason to outline every indulgent dish and amuse bouche that was presented to us, plus, the romantic lighting of the spectacular art deco dining room resulted in images that certainly don’t do the food justice.
The star treatment begins when you’re greeted by name as you enter the grandiose doors and ends hours later when you’re given an elegant Ball jar of their extraordinary granola. Yes, a Ball jar has an air of elegance when delivered with a flourish as you come away from a dinner you’re not soon to forget – and, it’s the gift that keeps on giving because I’m sharing the recipe here with you! With coconut, pistachios, and dried cherries (no common raisins here) I was sold with the first bite. It takes 15 minutes to prepare the ingredients and you’ll thank yourself every morning as you munch on the best granola ever 🙂
Eleven Madison Park Granola
With pistachios, dried cherries and coconut flakes, Eleven Madison Park’s granola is as elegant as it’s namesake.
from Eleven Madison Park: The Cookbook
Ingredients:
2 3⁄4 cups rolled oats
1 cup shelled pistachios
1 cup unsweetened coconut flakes
1/3 cup pepitas (pumpkin seeds)
1 tablespoon salt *
1⁄2 cup light brown sugar
1/3 cup maple syrup
1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
3⁄4 cup dried sour cherries
Notes: I used organic coconut flakes and Trader Joe’s organic whole grain rolled oats that are gluten free, dairy free, and wheat free.
Preheat oven to 300 degrees Farenheit.
1. In a large bowl, mix together the oats, pistachios, coconut, pumpkin seeds and salt* (I eliminated the salt due to Don’s sodium restriction) .
2. In a small saucepan set over low heat, warm the sugar, maple syrup and olive oil until the sugar has just dissolved, then remove from heat. Fold liquids into the mixture of oats, making sure to coat the dry ingredients well.
3. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat, and spread granola in an even layer. Bake until dry and lightly golden, 35 to 40 minutes, stirring granola a few times along the way. (It only took 30 minutes in my oven.)
4. Remove granola from oven, mix in the dried sour cherries. Allow to cool to room temperature before transferring to a storage container.
Makes about 6 cups.
Enjoy 🙂
*9/2/12 – After many months, this continues to be our favorite granola – the only changes I’ve made is to increase the amount of oats to 3 cups and decrease the sugar to 1/3 cup, still sweet enough for our taste 🙂
Shake Shack at Madison Square Park
Flatiron Building
Sounds like a wonderful trip and an equally fabulous meal at EMP, Priscilla. You have just inspired me to open up their cookbook and try something, albeit super simple! The granola, with the coconuts, pistachios and cherries, is hitting all the right notes with me.
Have a great weekend!
Sounds like a wonderful trip. I have their cookbook and the pages are packed with one beautiful recipe after another. Maybe someday I will get ambitious enough to prepare one of the easier recipes. This granola looks fabulous.
Yay! I’m so thrilled we got to enjoy part of your visit together, and that you finally did get that reservation at Eleven Madison Park. Although I have the cookbook, I can’t believe I haven’t made the granola, especially considering how popular it is. Now that I’ve seen yours (and how lovely your photos are!) I’m gonna have to make myself a batch at some point too!
Hi Priscilla – we love EMP! I was so happy to receive the cookbook for Hanukkah. Looking forward to cooking from it.
Your granola photos are just gorgeous!
LL
P.S. How are the meatballs coming along??
Hello Priscilla! What a wonderful vacation you ventured on. I love NYC! I recently saw this cookbook and it looks wonderful. I have long wanted to make granola from scratch versus the store bought version – NOW I have the perfect recipe. Will be pinning!! Have a great weekend.
I was lucky to meet the owners when they went on a recent book tour Priscilla and their attention to detail, the ambiance they want to create and the care and consideration they give to every aspect of the restaurant makes me envy your experience.
I did get a signed copy of their cookbook but it’s a gastronomical absurdity to think I would be making most of their dishes. They were quite proud of their granola and I always make my own…why haven’t I tried this!! I may have the book…I needed you for a little push. 🙂
Looks like you had an amazing trip! Thank you for sharing the recipe – love the addition of pepitas! YUM!
Your post makes me miss NYC. My old neighborhood and favorite building. Thanks for the great recipe. Can’t wait for your next post.
Nothing beats homemade granola. I love sprinkling some on greek yogurt. What a way to start my day! Each time I’m here, I feel admiration…and my stomach rumbles. Thank you so much for sharing tonight. This looks delicious (as always!)
I love this place! My friend was just there 3 months ago and gave me the granola (so sweet of her) – it’s fantastic. Now I’m going to make some and surprise her with it. Beautiful photos, especially of the Flatiron! Glad you had such a wonderful experience!
Love Eleven Madison!!! One of my favorite NY eats!!!
What a fabulous place! Delicious combination in this granola
The granola looks really fresh and healthy!
I <3 NYC and your trip looks like it was super fun. The tortilla and sangria look wonderful. Great granola recipe and I will make it this week for breakfast:)
What a wonderful experience! And the granola is beautiful, too.
It all looks wonderful Priscilla, will remember to book reservations for eleven madison park early before our next trip. Meanwhile thanks for the granola recipe, looks like a keeper- just printed it;-)
I would have loved to hang out with you and Victoria, lover her! And you too of course 🙂 As for the reservation at 11 Madison Park, you…I need to just stash away in your suitcase 🙂 Lovely granola and gorgeous shots!
It looks like you had a wonderful trip! I adore New York City:-) Your granola sounds fantastic, homemade granola is always better then store bought! I want to mix some in Greek yogurt now:-) Hugs, Terra
Yummy granola, and how awesome that you had a chance to meet Victoria! Lovely photo of you two. Great post, Priscilla!
This sounds amazing, but I suppose one should expect that from a 3 star cook! I love the use of coconut flakes in this, I’d adore a bowl of this!
Great photos! I love Eataly. The city is so hard for me to visit because there is always so much I want to eat.
What a fabulous granola recipe, this looks delicious! Lovely pictures! 🙂
Whoa that flat iron building is crazy cool! I have never seen anything like that. Very neat
The granola looks delicious. Loved your blog!!
Such fun! Printing the delicious granola recipe to try!!!
Sounds like you had a blast and a very happy belly. Granola is something I can just eat right out of the container. This recipe is amazing, will have to try it out soon. Thanks for participating in the YBR 🙂
YUM!
Sorry I don’t know what happened but I did not mean to leave 3 comments and what I meant to say was that this is a lovely recipe and I can’t wait to try it. Thank you very much for sharing.
YUM!
YUM!
I love granola, always have a jar in my kitchen. this recipe looks so good, must try this soon although maple syrup cost a bomb here
As I entered your site I was wondering where have you traveled to this time? 🙂 I wish I traveled half as much. Your trip to NYC sounds amazing. Your lunch and dinner at Eleven Madison. Moreover I always geek over granola and their version looks fantastic. Bookmarked! Happy Holidays!