Diane Becker, Longtime 'Elaine's' Manager, Inherits The Restaurant

The death of Elaine Kaufman in early December, left many wondering what would happen to her namesake restaurant. Elaine's on the Upper East Side has long been a place where famous New Yorkers have come to celebrate. But without its driving force, would Elaine's ever be the same?

The New York Times reports that Elaine Kaufman left her namesake restaurant to its longtime manager Diane Becker. Becker and Kauffman were quite close and Becker insists that the restaurant and its spirit will remain the same.

Kaufman also left much of her estate to Becker, as well as a monetary gift to the longtime maître d'hôtel at Elaine's, Giovanni Adamo, whom regulars simply call Gianni. As Becker told the Times: "we're going to try to run it as usual," she said. "The only missing link is Elaine."

Comments

[FCorey]

04:51 PM on 01/11/2011

I find myself saying "this just isn't the place I grew up" like my parents used to say (and my mother still does) all the time.

[holyghostie]

09:34 PM on 01/06/2011

Some Chinese or Greek family and they'll keep the same sign and furniture too.

[FCorey]

04:48 PM on 01/11/2011

Wow. LOL. I hate to laugh, but that was actually funny if you know New York.

[rikster]

03:48 PM on 01/06/2011

Elaines spirit...

[olddognewtrick]

02:38 PM on 01/06/2011

Soon Yi?

[blackmagicIII]

03:09 PM on 01/06/2011

That's funny because the first name that popped into my head was Woody.

[olddognewtrick]

01:24 AM on 01/07/2011

me too...but it needed a twist...