Elaine's Employees Remember Their Colorful Boss

Elaine Kaufman, the 81-year-old restaurateur who ran the iconic Upper East Side spot that bears her name, died Friday.

In the more than four decades Elaine's has been open, Kaufman could be found most nights holding court in the place that's been immortalized in songs, movies and the psyche of New York.

Elaine's was known more for its proprietor than for its food. Kaufman created a spot in 1963 that soon became a hangout for literary types like George Plimpton and Norman Mailer. Then other notables flocked there -- actors, politicians, rock stars -- you name it. But Diane Becker, who has managed Elaine's for 26 years, recalled that being famous wasn't the most important thing to Kaufman.

"It wasn't about being a movie star or being famous or pretty. That didn't hurt, but you know she liked storytellers. You told a good story, you were in like Flynn."

In 2003, Kaufman herself was named a Living Landmark by the New York Landmarks Conservancy.

Becker says her boss’s personality, her no-nonsense approach and her gift for one liners only added to the spot’s mythic status.

"One afternoon, it was before we were open, Mike Nichols was filming across the street and he came in with Jack Nicholson and they were looking for a bite to eat. Mike looked around the restaurant and he said, 'Gee, Elaine, not too many people here' and she said 'I've been to some of your movies in the afternoon, too.'”

Giovanni Adamo, maitre d' of 25 years, said all of the regulars will be convening to remember Elaine.

“I'm having people calling from all over, you know -- all her friends and customers. We're just setting up large tables for everybody and putting them all together. People want to celebrate her. This is what Elaine would want -- to see everybody have a good time."

Adamo says the plan going forward is to keep the restaurant operating with the same hours and staff.