Like Baker's Keyboard Lounge in Detroit, Elaine's in Manhattan is an international treasure highly recommended for its ambiance and cultural charge.
Opened in 1963 by Elaine Kaufman (b. 2/10/1929) Elaine's is a medium-priced Upper East Side restaurant and bar located at 1703 2nd Avenue -- between 88th and 89th Streets --New York, NY 10128; (212) 534-8103. Reservations taken. Writers very welcomed. Old school, low-key, sweet. I've been there twice in the last ten years and no one bit me. Given that Elaine Kaufman is eighty now, I'd like to get back before anything major changes at Elaine's. Because as we all know, everything does change, sooner or later.
Related books: A.E. Hotchner, Everyone Comes to Elaine's: Forty Years of Movie Stars, All-Stars, Literary Lions, Financial Scions, Top Cops, Politicians, and Power Brokers at the Legendary Hot Spot (2004). An anecdotal recounting of goings on at Elaine's over the past near half-century.
Brian McDonald, Last Call at Elaine's: A Journey from One Side of the Bar to the Other (2008). Memoir by a sometimes self-destructive but resilient son of a cop and bartender turned writer.
Today's Rune: Signals.
5 comments:
Watch out for Woody, Eric. He has long been associated with Elaine's. What a convo you two could have!
I read a book by Hotchner once on Hemingway.
Next time I get up that way I'll have to try to stop in for a meal. I need to go soon, for sure.
I remember that Woody Allen was playing jazz clarinet at his regular gig at Elaine's when he won the academy award for Annie Hall.
Woody Allen eats at Elaines but performs at Michael's Pub. Elaine's did have a piano the last time I was there.
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