You Had to be There- Elaine's Restaurant in New York City
“Well you went uptown riding in your limousine with your fine Park Avenue clothes, you had the Dom Perignon in your hand and the spoon up your nose” of course you recognize the lyrics from Billy Joel’s 1978 hit “Big Shot” and “they were all impressed with your Halston dress and the people that you knew at Elaine’s” the very name brings to mind the iconic uptown, in-crowd environment and sought after spot for those seeking inspiration, networking or simply a good stiff drink.
New York in the mid ’70s and ’80s was marked with a unique cultural energy. The city was a hub for fashion innovation, music evolution and film creativity.
Nightlife destinations were more than just restaurants they were informal salons where industry connections were forged, scripts were discussed and careers were influenced.
Moving to Manhattan in 1975 to work in publicity for Paramount Pictures, I had made friends with a group of beautiful Eastern Airline flight attendants that would drag me out after midnight to Elaine’s.
Jumping into a crowded Checker Cab doing poppers we flew to the restaurant in the pouring rain.
Greeting us of course was the feisty, hard-working, chain smoking, Russian-Jewish immigrant from the Bronx, Elaine Kaufman. The quirky, opinionated, tender-hearted, impossibly heavy-set proprietress who came in almost every night to check on things and schmooze moving from table to table.
Elaine had a reputation for directness, moving less favored customers to accommodate new arrivals to the back like us.
Elaine’s in fact was a scene, a noisy restaurant and bar celebrated as a celebrity hangout, that all but shouted “New York” to the rest of the country, if not the world.
It’s Upper East Side location and unpretentious atmosphere drew some of the biggest names in culture and entertainment.
Elaine’s became a haven for writers, actors, artists, intellectuals, athletes and other celebrities.
The restaurant’s dedicated following included: Norman Mailer, Truman Capote, Mick Jagger, Woody Allen, Joseph Heller, George Plimpton, Mario Puzo, Joan Didion, Mia Farrow, Kurt Vonnegut, Gay Talese, Tom Wolfe, Michael Caine, Lucille Ball, Clint Eastwood, Willie Nelson, Don Rickles, Luciano Pavarotti, Eli Wallach, Harrison Ford, Bette Midler, Jackie Onassis, Carrie Fisher, David Bowie, Tennessee Williams, Richard Dreyfuss, Liv Ullman, Cheryl Tiegs, Liza Minnelli, Joan Collins, Harvey Keitel, Faye Dunaway, Tony Randall, William Holden, Margaux Hemingway and more.
Elaine Kaufman herself was the heart of the establishment known for her sharp wit and warm personality, she fostered an inclusive yet exclusive environment that celebrated artistry and individuality.
The food was Italian-American, tasty pasta dishes, steaks, veal chops, in generous portions and their fried calamari was a specialty. Elaine refused to serve hamburgers.
Occasionally Elaine would perch herself on a stool at the end of the 25 ft mahogany bar and buy me a drink or two, and tell me stories.
Late one night I ran into John Belushi and some of the Saturday Night Live guys, powdering their nose in the restroom.
The opening dinner scene from Woody Allen’s 1979 Manhattan, was filmed at the restaurant.
Elaine’s was a frequent dinner spot in Stuart Wood’s novel series featuring “Stone Barrington”.
In the movie Morning Glory, with Harrison Ford, Diane Keaton and Rachel McAdams, Elaine herself makes a cameo appearance.
Elaine, who became something of a symbol of New York, as a salty den mother of Elaine’s, one of the city’s best known restaurants and a second home for almost half a century closed in 2011 after her death.
David Garland NY New York Sep 17, 2025 Bars Restaurants
Sep 17, 2025
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