Her Manhattan restaurant, Elaine’s, became the nurturing ground for generations of notable figures, including writers, reporters, detectives, and cultural icons of New York. Elaine Kaufman opened the renowned bar and restaurant in 1963, and it operated until 2011, closing a few months after her passing. Named after the businesswoman herself, Elaine’s was a reflection of her entrepreneurial spirit and perseverance. Let’s delve deeper into the life of this remarkable woman on bronxanka.com.
Early Years: Growing Up in the Bronx
Elaine Kaufman was born on February 10, 1929, in Manhattan as one of four children. Some sources note that her parents were Russian immigrants. Her youth was spent in Queens and the Bronx, and here’s what we know about those formative years.
Kaufman graduated from Evander Childs High School in the Bronx, which was, at the time, the largest school in New York City. Designed to accommodate over 4,700 students, the school officially opened in 1930 with a construction cost exceeding $3,027,000. Elaine had fond memories of her time there, although her fiery personality sometimes led to conflicts.
Her early jobs included:
- Working in the stamp department at Gimbels, a wholesale fabric store.
- Nighttime cosmetologist at Astor Pharmacy, where she sold beauty products.
- Selling cigars and unique hats at the Progressive Era Political Club in Greenwich Village. She took this job initially to help a friend, and it may have sparked her lifelong passion for cigarettes.
A Love Story and Introduction to the Restaurant Business
Elaine’s entry into the restaurant world came through her relationship with Alfredo Viazzi, a former sailor and writer who owned a popular Greenwich Village eatery frequented by theater publishers and creatives.
By 1959, Kaufman and Viazzi’s professional relationship turned romantic. Their love story lasted four years, but it was long enough for Kaufman to learn the ropes of the restaurant business and inspire her to launch her own venture.
Although she couldn’t afford a Greenwich Village location, Kaufman found an Austro-Hungarian restaurant on Manhattan’s Upper East Side. She purchased it and became the sole proprietor, investing $10,000–$12,000 to open her namesake restaurant, Elaine’s.
Elaine’s: A Cultural Icon
Opened in 1963, Elaine’s quickly became a haven for writers, screenwriters, and editors, many of whom benefited from Kaufman’s credit policies. Over time, the restaurant attracted a broader clientele, including theater actors, filmmakers, and television personalities. Eventually, its reputation expanded, and notable figures from various industries began frequenting the establishment. Elaine’s became especially famous for its Oscar night dinner parties.
The restaurant’s early years were challenging. Kaufman often waited tables herself and even managed the bar alone during some summers. However, her entrepreneurial drive and savvy management skills helped the business thrive. By the late 1960s, she had purchased the building that housed Elaine’s and later acquired adjacent properties, renting out apartments to fund the restaurant’s operations.
In 2003, Kaufman received recognition as a “Living Landmark” from the New York Landmarks Conservancy. That same year, the Ellis Island Honors Society awarded her the prestigious Ellis Island Medal of Honor.
Personal Life
Elaine Kaufman’s strong-willed and passionate personality may have made her personal relationships challenging. She married twice. In 1980, she wed Henry Ball, a fellow restaurateur. However, the marriage ended in divorce four years later.
In 2004, A.E. Hotchner published Everybody Comes to Elaine’s, a book chronicling Kaufman’s life and the iconic restaurant she created. The book was released by HarperCollins and showcased her as a trailblazing businesswoman.
The End of an Era
Elaine Kaufman passed away on December 3, 2010, at the age of 81, at Lenox Hill Hospital, located less than a mile from her famous restaurant. She succumbed to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and pulmonary hypertension.
Kaufman left Elaine’s to her trusted manager, Diane Becker. However, Becker closed the restaurant shortly after Kaufman’s death, citing that the business couldn’t exist without its charismatic founder.
Elaine Kaufman’s memory endures in the hearts of her patrons and friends. She was described as self-assured, kind, and larger-than-life. Kaufman visited her restaurant every evening to personally oversee its operations.
As a spokesperson for the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees once said:
“Elaine was like a big mom, teaching us how to live in New York: work hard, play hard, and always pay your check.”