Low FODMAP at Eleven Madison Park - Fine Dining Guide
Navigate low FODMAP dining at Eleven Madison Park in New York City. Tips for communicating dietary needs at this three-Michelin-star plant-based restaurant.
✓ Safe Items to Order
| Item | Notes | Modifications |
|---|---|---|
| Root Vegetables | Carrots, parsnips (small portions), potatoes | Request no garlic, onion, or high-FODMAP preparations |
| Leafy Greens | Various preparations | Request simple preparation |
| Grains | Rice, quinoa, oats | Request without high-FODMAP additions |
| Nuts and Seeds | Most are low FODMAP in normal portions | Avoid cashews and pistachios |
✗ Items to Avoid
- • Garlic-based preparations
- • Onion, shallot, or leek dishes
- • Cream substitutes made from cashews
- • Dishes featuring mushrooms heavily
- • Legume-focused dishes (beans, lentils, chickpeas)
- • High-FODMAP vegetable features (artichoke, asparagus)
- • Cauliflower dishes
Example Orders
Tasting Menu Approach
- ✓ Contact restaurant 72+ hours in advance
- ✓ Discuss plant-based FODMAP challenges
- ✓ Request creative substitutions
Tip: EMP's plant-based focus requires detailed communication
Key Considerations
- ✓ Many plant proteins are high FODMAP
- ✓ Nuts often replace dairy (watch for cashews)
- ✓ Mushrooms feature prominently (high FODMAP)
Tip: Plant-based low FODMAP is possible but challenging
About Eleven Madison Park
Eleven Madison Park is a three-Michelin-star restaurant in New York City that transitioned to an entirely plant-based tasting menu. Chef Daniel Humm creates innovative vegan cuisine that has maintained the restaurant’s elite status.
Quick Summary
Important note: EMP’s fully plant-based menu presents unique challenges for low FODMAP diners. Many plant proteins, meat substitutes, and dairy alternatives used in plant-based cooking are high FODMAP.
Best approach: Contact the restaurant well in advance (72+ hours) to discuss whether they can accommodate low FODMAP within their plant-based framework.
The Plant-Based FODMAP Challenge
Plant-based cooking often relies on:
- Legumes (beans, lentils, chickpeas) - High FODMAP
- Cashews (for cream substitutes) - High FODMAP
- Mushrooms (for umami/texture) - High FODMAP
- Onion and garlic (foundational flavors) - High FODMAP
- Cauliflower (versatile vegetable) - High FODMAP
This means many plant-based techniques conflict with low FODMAP requirements.
How to Communicate Your Needs
Before Your Visit
- Contact reservations very early - This requires kitchen consultation
- Be honest about the challenge - Acknowledge the conflict with plant-based cooking
- Ask if accommodation is possible - It may not be at every meal service
Honest Conversation
Consider asking:
I follow a low FODMAP diet and cannot have garlic, onion, mushrooms, most legumes, cashews, and several other plant foods that are common in vegan cooking. Is the kitchen able to create a modified tasting menu within these constraints? I want to be upfront that this may be challenging given your plant-based focus.
What Might Work
Low FODMAP plant foods that EMP might utilize:
- Root vegetables (carrots, potatoes)
- Leafy greens
- Bell peppers, tomatoes
- Rice, quinoa
- Tofu (firm, drained)
- Tempeh (small portions)
- Seeds, walnuts, pine nuts
- Olive oil and safe herbs
Honest Assessment
Eleven Madison Park’s commitment to plant-based cuisine may make it one of the more challenging fine dining experiences for strict low FODMAP diners. Contact them well in advance to determine if they can accommodate your needs effectively.
This guide provides general FODMAP guidance for fine dining. Menu items change seasonally. Always confirm ingredients directly with the restaurant.