Sen. John Fetterman visited the posh Eleven Madison Park in New York City for an interview dressed casually, despite the restaurant’s reputation for being one of the best in the city with a high-priced tasting menu. The staff welcomed Fetterman into the intimate lounge without any issues, where he sat down for an interview with a reporter. The senator, known for his schlumpy appearance, was pleased that he was able to enter the restaurant without any fuss and saw it as a victory for people who don’t conform to traditional standards of dress when dining out.
Fetterman, who was seen nursing a Tannenzäpfle German pilsner during the interview, made a humorous comment about his colleague Sen. Robert Menendez’s legal troubles involving a stash of gold bars. After the drinks, Fetterman and the reporter were given a private tour of the kitchen, where they were treated to a unique digestif made from coconut milk, kumquats, and bergamot. Fetterman was impressed by the creativity and novelty of the drink, showing appreciation for the inventive nature of the cuisine at Eleven Madison Park.
The senator expressed that it was important to him that his family was proud whenever he was mentioned in a publication like The Post. It was meaningful for him to make his father proud, who has a particular fondness for The Post. Fetterman joked about being a slob and opening doors for others like him to enjoy fine dining experiences without having to conform to strict dress codes. He saw his casual attire at Eleven Madison Park as a symbol of how people should be able to enjoy elite restaurants regardless of their appearance.
Levine, the reporter conducting the interview, had previously dressed like Fetterman to test whether he could enter high-end restaurants in New York City. This time, Fetterman was able to enter Eleven Madison Park with no issues, confirming that the restaurant truly had no formal dress code and was open to all guests. Fetterman saw this as a victory for individuality and breaking stereotypes in the fine dining scene, believing that people should be able to enjoy good food and drink without judgment based on their clothing.
The senator was impressed by the atmosphere and hospitality at Eleven Madison Park, calling the experience refreshing and unique. He enjoyed the food and drink offerings at the restaurant, appreciating the creativity and inventiveness of the chefs. The tour of the kitchen provided him with insight into the behind-the-scenes operations of the restaurant, giving him a deeper appreciation for the hard work and dedication that goes into creating a world-class dining experience. Overall, Fetterman’s visit to Eleven Madison Park was a positive and memorable experience for the unconventional senator, proving that fine dining can be enjoyed by all, regardless of appearance.