Six months after Elaine Kaufman the woman went to that great restaurant in the sky, her eponymous Upper East Side restaurant is closing for good after service Thursday, May 26th. It seems that the 81-year-old Kaufman, the "first woman Mafia don," really was the crucial ingredient in the restaurant's recipe for success.
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Results tagged “restaurantclosing”
Lacking Elaine, Elaine's Will Close Next Week
Why You Can't Eat At Village Voice-Approved Zlata Praha
Today, the Village Voice's Robert Sietsema revisited Astoria's Czech restaurant Zlata Praha, which he calls the "most respected" Czech joint in the neighborhood. But in between describing their "excellent homemade kraut" and the gravy boats, he missed one little detail—they've been shut down by the city Health Department for a slew of violations.
Was Lady Gaga's Restaurant Investment For Naught?
Has Lady Gaga made her first misstep? Last November the Post reported the pop star invested in the 22-year-old Italian restaurant Vince & Eddies ("They were customers, and they approached us," a restaurant employee told the paper. "We have done some promotions with her in the past.") but now, a few short months later, the Lincoln Center-adjacent spot appears to be closed. OpenTable has it listed as "currently offline" and the restaurant's phone number, which was giving a mailbox full message over the weekend, is now "not a working number."
Alto, Convivio Close With "Great Sadness"
Chris Cannon, who kept restaurants Alto and Convivio after splitting with partner Michael White, announced yesterday that both restaurants would be closed permanently. Cannon told the Times, “It is with great sadness that I report that both restaurants are officially closed for good. I have no other information at this time.” A phone message at Convivio also announces, “Thank you for calling Convivio. Sadly we will be closed permanently, we appreciate your patronage."
Midtown Gray's Papaya Closes, UWS Gets C Grade
It's not a good day for the Gray's Papaya family. The Midtown location of the popular hot dog joint (you know, the one offering their dogs for 50 cents) reportedly closed over the weekend due to "rent issues." Though they're planning on opening up another Midtown location soon, we recommend hitting up their downtown location if you're craving a Recession Special, because their Upper West Side store scored a C grade on their last inspection.
Last Call At Manganaro Grosseria Italiana
After being open since 1893 and helping to introduce the "hero" sandwich to American mouths, Hell's Kitchen's Manganaro Grosseria Italiana is on the market and will soon be closing, The Wall Street Journal reports that the family has put the building up for sale for $5.3 million, and will be closing the restaurant as soon as it's sold. "We've had it," said Sal Dell'Orto, who has been working at the Grosseria since he was five.
Chanterelle Will Close For Good
Chanterelle, the 30-year-old restaurant in TriBeCa that changed the way NYC restaurants did business by making good food and service less stuffy, will close for good, the NY Times reports. The restaurant closed in July for extensive renovations and was due to reopen this month in advance of its November 14 anniversary; Owners David and Karen Waltuck explained their decision to the Times in a letter: "Through good and bad times it is a thrilling, passionate and rewarding journey. We are proud to be a part of this creative industry in this unparalled city of ours and look forward to what we will bring to you in the future..."
UWS Restaurant Cafe Des Artistes Closes
Cafe des Artistes, the beloved romantic West 67th Street restaurant near Lincoln Center, has closed, according to the Diner's Journal. Owners Jenifer and George Lang "said they had closed for vacation earlier this month and had planned on reopening in September, but changed their minds," with Jenifer Lang explaining, "George is 85, business has been down - not terrible, but down, like everybody else’s - and we feel it’s time." In 2003, NY Times restaurant critic William Grimes felt the food was uneven, but, "If ever a restaurant had fine, aristocratic bone structure it is Café des Artistes. Diners have only to take one step inside, and the tumultuous New York world outside disappears in a flash, replaced by lush floral displays, flattering lighting and Howard Chandler Christy’s pastel murals of naked beauties prancing through romantic landscapes." The Diner's Journal says it's unclear what will happen to the cafe—also seen in Woody Allen's Manhattan Murder Mystery—which is owned by the building. In other news, Meatpacking seafood restaurant John Dory may have closed, though owner "Ken Friedman will not confirm or deny, telling [Eater] the reservationist was premature in confirming their final night."
Last Look at the Cheyenne Diner
The Cheyenne Diner is closing for good today, to make room for another Manhattan residential building. The 68-year-old diner fell victim to the city's own successes and spiraling real estate costs. The owner of the property, George Papas, who owns the nearby Skylight Diner, figures that no matter how successful the Cheyenne is (a hamburger is $4.50, the lumberjack breakfast--two eggs, pancakes or French toast, and ham, sausage or bacon--is $7.95), there's no way it could match the rental income equal to the nine-story building that is planned to replace it.
Pies 'n' Thighs Goes Tits Up
It's a dark day for South Billyburg lovers of southern comfort food – dark as blackened catfish on a moonless Brooklyn night. Eater points out Peter Meehan's discovery that the beloved hole in the wall Pies 'n' Thighs, in the shadow of the Williamsburg bridge, will close tomorrow night. Party, or wake, to follow.
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