Who

Kaufman is the feisty owner of Elaine's, the fabled Upper East Side restaurant frequented by celebs, geriatric literary types, and the occasional politico.

Backstory

In 1963, Washington Heights native and onetime waitress Elaine Kaufman took her life savings, purchased a building on 88th and Second, and opened up a restaurant named after herself on the ground floor. Kaufman's eatery soon became known for catering to New York's literary elite—people like Lewis Lapham and the late Norman Mailer—and they've been there ever since: Kaufman's septuagenarian regulars include Cindy Adams, Bobby Zarem, Liz Smith, and Gay and Nan Talese, who are all treated like members of Kaufman's extended family. Few receive better treatment, though, than Woody Allen, who has been a regular at Elaine's for three decades. (Rumor has it Kaufman holds one of the best tables for him at all times just in case he decides to pop in. If you go, just don't expect to be wowed by the cuisine. Elaine's is only really famous for the scene. Adam Gopnik once remarked that the restaurant has the "worst food, the ugliest decor and the most unhospitable people."

On the job

Elaine is a constant presence at her restaurant. The rounded restaurateur can usually be found in huge black-rimmed glasses, bright red lipstick, and a tent-like black dress sitting at the bar or at one of the front tables, warmly greeting her regulars, and less warmly greeting newbies. (Her faves are always seated ahead of people whom she doesn't know, even if they have reservations.) Indeed Kaufman has come to blows with a few not-famous-enough patrons. In 1998, a marketing exec sued her for $12 million after she allegedly said to him and a companion, "You people look to me like poor white trash," and then slapped him. Kaufman's defense lawyer, Ronald Fischetti, filed a countersuit and the charges were later dropped.

Personal

The divorced Kaufman lives on the Upper East Side.

No joke

Kaufman's writerly friends have been known to run up massive tabs during career dry spells. Reportedly one writer returned years afterward to pay off an enormous outstanding tab, leaving a $5,000 thank-you to boot.