Elephant & Castle, a beloved West Village restaurant, will close its doors after 50 years. The restaurant opened in 1974 as the first of several ventures by George Schwarz, who sought to provide decent, affordable dining options in the neighborhood. Susan Kramer, a longtime patron, expressed her emotional connection to the eatery, describing it as a cocoon. The restaurant, honoring a London pub, functioned more as a café and dining space rather than a traditional bar, creating a welcoming atmosphere in the community.
"We've been coming here forever, for decades. It's almost like a cocoon in here! Is it not cool enough? I'm sorry, this place is very cool. This place was cool before people knew what cool was."
"I think in the beginning he wanted a place to get some good food. He was frustrated with what the hospital cafeteria had to offer."
"Elephant & Castle, named in homage to the London pub that gave its name to the London neighborhood, was less of a pub than a café and restaurant."
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