Elaine Kaufman attends the book party for "Murder At Elaine's" on February 21, 1979 at her restaurant in New York City. (Ron Galella/Wire Image FILE)

NEW YORK — Elaine Kaufman, the owner of the legendary East Side establishment Elaine’s, has died at age 81.

Kaufman died of complications stemming from emphysema at 12:20 p.m. Friday at Lenox Hill Hospital.

A memorial service was expected to take place next year.

Kaufman opened Elaine’s on East 88th Street in 1963 with just $12,000 and grew it into a New York landmark.

About The Author

Eiko Watanabe is a Blast staff writer in New York

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