Everyone Comes to Elaine’s, Signed by Elaine to Sylvia Miles
[Signed by Elaine Kaufman to Sylvia Miles] Hotchner, A.E. 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. First Edition. 2004. Book and dust jacket are both in very good condition. Book is warmly inscribed by Elaine Kaufman, “For Sylvia, who only gets better with time, love Elaine.”
What is the difference between society den mother Elsa Maxwell and legendary restaurateur Elaine Kaufman? Elsa traveled the world to hobnob with the international set, but Elaine remained in one spot for forty years, and they all came to her. Moreover, whereas Elsa specialized in large bank accounts, Elaine's forte was Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award-winning authors. Celebrities were literally part of the furniture at Elaine's. Once when a new patron asked for directions to the men’s room, she answered, “Take a right at Michael Caine,” That best sums up Elaine's deadpan style and the spirit of her restaurant, and this book—which is a photo-filled history of the restaurant, with anecdotes and Elaine’s best one-liners.
“Getting a table here is a memory for you.”
--Elaine (to a disagreeable customer)