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“They were all impressed with your Halston dress... And the people that you knew at Elaine’s.”
-"Big Shot" Billy Joel (1979)
NYC living landmark Elaine Kaufman, owner of legendary Upper East Side celebrity haunt "Elaine's", passed away yesterday at the age of 81. Elaine had a formidable presence, a heart of gold and quirky personality.
A customer once asked where the men's room was and she responded "Take a right at Michael Caine".
Her support and love of writers was unwavering and all the greats considered the 2nd Avenue restaurant their second home.
“Poor bastards,” she said of writers. “I like their minds.”Acclaimed scribes such as George Plimpton, Gay Talese, Peter Maas, Dan Jenkins, Joseph Heller, Mario Puzo, Frank Conroy,Dominick Dunne and Norman Mailer were all regulars. The annual Oscar party thrown there by Entertainment Weekly was one the biggest social events of the year for 14 years, almost more important than the actual award ceremony itself. Woody Allen filmed scenes there for the film"Manhattan". Billy Joel immortalized the spot in his song "Big Shot". A lot of NYC history has occurred there and Elaine was present for all of it. Every night since 1963.
She eventually became as famous as her customers and then she became a living landmark and NYC icon. She will be missed...
Kisses Bitches...
Glamour Whore...xoxo
