Longchamps (chain of restaurants)
Encyclopedia
Longchamps was a chain of several upscale restaurants centered in Manhattan
that consisted of twenty or more locations at its peak, including the Showboat Restaurant located in the Empire State Building
. The chain's first location was opened in 1919. Longchamps restaurants were known for their natty art decco furnishings and decorations by Winold Reiss
, and a number of designs for elements of their physical surroundings were drawn up by New York architect Ely Jacques Kahn
, originator of a colorful version of art decco architecture.
In the early 1960's, Longchamps was the first - perhaps the only - restaurant to introduce complementary Metrecal
at luncheon, and were otherwise known for such specialties as Oxtail Ragout, Crabmeat a la Dewey, Nesselrode Pie, and "21-Percent Butterfat Ice Cream". One far flung Longchamps in Washington D.C. was among the first tablecloth restaurants there to allow black customers.
In 1959, restaurateur Jan Mitchell (owner of Luchow's
) became president and majority owner of the chain. In 1967, with a total of eight locations existing in Manhattan at that point, he sold a controlling stake to Murray and Irving Riese.Grimes, William (1 December 2009). Jan Mitchell, Who Put the ü Back in Lüchow’s, Dies at 96, The New York Times
Restauranteur Larry Ellman (owner of the Cattleman Restaurant) soon became partners with the Rieses and was named president of the chain.
In 1971, the chain sold four of its remaining restaurants to the Riese Organization (also controlled by the Riese brothers), mostly removing it from the "white tablecloth" restaurant business, and a number of the old locations had been turned into steakhouse-themed outlets. In June 1975, former parent company Longchamps, Inc. filed for bankruptcy.Grimes, William. Appetite City: A Culinary History of New York, p.260-61 (2010)
Manhattan
Manhattan is the oldest and the most densely populated of the five boroughs of New York City. Located primarily on the island of Manhattan at the mouth of the Hudson River, the boundaries of the borough are identical to those of New York County, an original county of the state of New York...
that consisted of twenty or more locations at its peak, including the Showboat Restaurant located in the Empire State Building
Empire State Building
The Empire State Building is a 102-story landmark skyscraper and American cultural icon in New York City at the intersection of Fifth Avenue and West 34th Street. It has a roof height of 1,250 feet , and with its antenna spire included, it stands a total of 1,454 ft high. Its name is derived...
. The chain's first location was opened in 1919. Longchamps restaurants were known for their natty art decco furnishings and decorations by Winold Reiss
Winold Reiss
F. Winold Reiss was a German-born American artist and graphic designer. He was born in Karlsruhe, Germany, the second son of Fritz Reiss who was a well-known landscape artist...
, and a number of designs for elements of their physical surroundings were drawn up by New York architect Ely Jacques Kahn
Ely Jacques Kahn
Ely Jacques Kahn was an American commercial architect who designed numerous skyscrapers in New York City in the twentieth century. In addition to buildings intended for commercial use, Kahn's designs ranged throughout the possibilities of architectural programs, including facilities for the film...
, originator of a colorful version of art decco architecture.
In the early 1960's, Longchamps was the first - perhaps the only - restaurant to introduce complementary Metrecal
Metrecal
Metrecal was a brand of diet foods introduced in the early 1960s. Though its products were criticized for their taste, which newer varieties of flavor tried to improve upon later, it attained a niche in the popular culture of the time. Created and marketed initially by C...
at luncheon, and were otherwise known for such specialties as Oxtail Ragout, Crabmeat a la Dewey, Nesselrode Pie, and "21-Percent Butterfat Ice Cream". One far flung Longchamps in Washington D.C. was among the first tablecloth restaurants there to allow black customers.
In 1959, restaurateur Jan Mitchell (owner of Luchow's
Luchow's
Lüchow's was a restaurant located at 110 East 14th Street at Irving Place near Union Square in Manhattan, New York City, with the property running clear through the block to 13th Street...
) became president and majority owner of the chain. In 1967, with a total of eight locations existing in Manhattan at that point, he sold a controlling stake to Murray and Irving Riese.Grimes, William (1 December 2009). Jan Mitchell, Who Put the ü Back in Lüchow’s, Dies at 96, The New York Times
The New York Times
The New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
Restauranteur Larry Ellman (owner of the Cattleman Restaurant) soon became partners with the Rieses and was named president of the chain.
In 1971, the chain sold four of its remaining restaurants to the Riese Organization (also controlled by the Riese brothers), mostly removing it from the "white tablecloth" restaurant business, and a number of the old locations had been turned into steakhouse-themed outlets. In June 1975, former parent company Longchamps, Inc. filed for bankruptcy.Grimes, William. Appetite City: A Culinary History of New York, p.260-61 (2010)