Famed NYC eatery Elaine's to close down six months after owner Elaine Kaufman dies

Katie Nelson AND Lukas I. Alpert New York Daily News 05/17/2011 18:38

The famed New York City restaurant is shutting its doors for good next week - just six months after its legendary owner, Elaine Kaufman passed away.

It's last call at Elaine's. The new owner of the famed New York City eatery is closing the business for good next week - just six months after its legendary owner, Elaine Kaufman, passed away. The two buildings the restaurant occupies are now up for sale for $9.5 million, and the final meals will be served Thursday, May 26.

"This is one of the most difficult decisions I've ever had to make," said Diane Becker, Elaine's longtime manager who inherited the restaurant. "But the truth is, there is no Elaine's without Elaine."

After the closing was announced Tuesday morning, a steady barrage of reservation requests came in from long-time customers asking for two-tops and reservations for eight.

Becker, an upper East Side resident, appeared equal parts bitterly defensive and wistfully sad about her decision, which she says has been looming ever since Kaufman died.

Business has been bad since the economic downturn in 2008, Becker said, and Kaufman invested "hundreds of thousands" of her own money to keep the eatery afloat.

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