I dined at a 3-Michelin-star fine-dining restaurant for the first time. Here are 7 things that surprised me.

• I recently dined at Eleven Madison Park, a three-Michelin-starred restaurant in New York City. • Eleven Madison is a primarily plant-based restaurant that now also serves meat. • I was mostly surprised that I enjoyed the vegan dishes just as much as the meat courses.

I recently dined at Eleven Madison Park, the three-Michelin-starred restaurant in New York City, which recently revamped its menu to include meat and seafood options after years of being entirely plant-based.

I've eaten at award-winning restaurants before — including one with a Michelin star and another with a James Beard Award — but this was my first time dining somewhere with the coveted three-star distinction. According to the Michelin Guide, that honor is reserved for chefs "at the peak of their profession" serving