Manhattan food king hosts party in Upper East Side cafe to celebrate 50th anniversary.
Eli Zabar, the renowned figure behind a successful Manhattan food and deli empire, recently marked the 50th anniversary of his iconic Upper East Side cafe, E.A.T., in collaboration with the online newsletter platform Substack. The celebratory event featured a live jazz trio and an array of delectable treats such as mini brioche egg salad sandwiches and chopped liver on raisin nut bread. The gathering attracted a diverse group of writers specializing in various topics ranging from politics and food to finance and sex.
At 81 years old, Mr. Zabar personally sampled an egg salad sandwich to ensure its quality met his standards. He shared that the decision to host the event with Substack was inspired by a desire to pay homage to the cafe’s early days, when E.A.T. served as a hub for the neighborhood’s creative community. In its inception, E.A.T. catered to a clientele of writers, artists, and gallerists, including luminaries such as Richard Avedon, Wayne Thiebaud, Leo Castelli, and Nora Ephron. Notable figures like William Shawn, the former editor of The New Yorker, and the magazine’s esteemed writer Lillian Ross were regular patrons, engaging in lengthy conversations reminiscent of intellectual gatherings.
The ambiance at the celebration evoked nostalgia for Mr. Zabar, as he drew parallels between the current attendees and the original clientele from the cafe’s early days. The event served as a tribute to the cafe’s rich history and its enduring appeal to a diverse and intellectually vibrant community.
Source: The NY Times
