Another New York City heavyweight is joining the no-tipping club. Eleven Madison Park, a three-michelin starred establishment that currently holds the title of North America's best, has just announced that it will be ending tipping come 2016.
To compensate for the new policy, Eater says that the restaurant's tasting menu will now cost diners $295 per head - a 31% increase from the previous price of $225. Beverage pairings will go up by $15, from $155 to $170, with overall wine prices rising approximately seven to ten percent, depending on the vintage. Under the new scheme, a fully-loaded dinner for two at Eleven Madison Park could easily exceed $1000.
The higher prices mean that servers will now enjoy an hourly wage increase proportional to what they were earning under a tipping based scheme, says Eater. Additionally, back of the house staff like line cooks and pastry chefs will enjoy a $2/hour increase while other kitchen workers will receive a $1/hour salary bump.
"If we have to do it for the servers, and I think the servers deserve it, then we have to do it for the cooks too," Said Guidara.
Will Guidara, one of the restaurant's owners, told Eater:
"From a purist perspective, what I believe is right is ultimately moving away from tips. That said I don't think we're fully there yet, everywhere."
This news comes right on the heels of Shake Shack founder Danny Meyer's decision to axe tipping from all restaurants under his Union Square Hospitality Group. Establishments include NYC landmarks like Union Square Café and Gramercy Tavern.
Meyer used to be one of Eleven Madison Park's owners. He sold his stake in the restaurant to Guidara and Chef Daniel Humm in 2011.
Will more Restaurants adopt a no-tipping policy? We'll have to wait and see
