Elaine's ─ The Rise of One of New York's Most Legendary Restaurants from Those Who Were There

A tribute to legendary restaurateur Elaine Kaufman and her renowned Manhattan creative melting pot.

Elaine's was a world-famous New York restaurant that became home to writers and celebrities. Owner Elaine Kaufman was known to be New York feisty,” controversial, often rude, always blunt, with the flare of Gertrude Stein and Dorothy Parker.

Elaine was highly respected and also frequently feared, and Elaine's the restaurant received the public's love and praise time and time again. Woody Allen held a regular table there, and Elaine's was even featured in Allen'sManhattan and Billy Joel's song Big Shot.” Throughout the years, Mick Jagger, John Lennon, and countless celebrities, politicians, socialites, private eyes, athletes, artists, and the biggest names in Hollywood became Elaine's regulars.

Most emphatically, Elaine's raison d'etre was to nourish starving writers” with encouragement, introductions to Pulitzer Prize winners, and free food and alcohol. These struggling authors responded to Elaine's support with profound gratitude.

Elaine passed away in 2010, forcing the restaurant manager to close shop shortly after. There is no Elaine's without Elaine,” she decreed. However, the memories remain and are recalled by a variety of Elaine's regulars in this moving, oftentimes amusing, collection of personal essays.

Amy Phillips Penn is a renowned society columnist. Her career began at theNew York Post as assistant to the legendary society columnist Eugenia Sheppard. Penn followed in her mentor’s path with her own byline. Her column, Around the Town, was syndicated in thePalm Beach Daily News. Ms. Penn’s credentials as a writer and a native New Yorker, coupled with a curriculum vitae as an Elaine’s regular, gave her access and a unique insider’s perspective into the world of Elaine’s. She resides in Indio, California.

Liz Smith is a popular gossip columnist also known as the Grand Dame of Dish. Her work has appeared in theNew York Daily News, Newsday, New York Post, and Chicago Tribune. She is the author of theNew York Times bestseller, Natural Blonde.