El Quijote (restaurant)

El Quijote is a Spanish restaurant in the Hotel Chelsea in the New York City borough of Manhattan. The eatery has been in the same location (226 West 23rd Street) for some 88 years and, after being sold by the original owning family (under the final aegis of Manny Ramirez) to Chelsea Hotels, it was closed for renovations. It is slated to reopen in six to nine months with a stated intention by the new proprietors to keep the authentic Spanish feel of the place.[1][2]

El Quijote
Restaurant information
Established1930
Owner(s)Chelsea Hotels
Street address222 West 23rd St.
CityNew York City
CountyManhattan
StateNew York
Postal/ZIP Code10011
CountryUnited States
Websitewww.elquijoterestaurant.com

History

Founded in 1930, El Quijote became the oldest Spanish restaurant in New York City after the 2012 closing of El Faro Restaurant in the West Village.[3] The restaurant began as an outlying affiliate of Little Spain, on 14th street in Manhattan between Seventh and Eighth Avenues. At one time the eatery was known for having many habitués who were refugees of the Spanish Civil War.

El Quijote is known for its kitsch decor, including wall murals and statues depicting scenes, and the title character from the Miguel de Cervantes masterpiece Don Quixote, as well as its heaping portions of classic Spanish fare such as chorizo, paiella, garlic shrimp, Sangria and surf and turf as well as its own creations such as lobster in green sauce.[4]

Andy Warhol was known to hold forth at a table there, and was often joined by the author William S. Burroughs. Janis Joplin was said to have caused a scene on the premises more than once.[5]

El Quijote was used for scenes in I Shot Andy Warhol, a movie by Christine Vachon about Valerie Solanas, the would-be assassin of the famed pop artist, recreating the meetings which took place there between Solanas and the publisher of her SCUM Manifesto, Maurice Girodias.[6][7]

gollark: Since we're talking about OSes and all.
gollark: btw I use arch
gollark: Well, sure, I guess? It's not affecting me negatively. At least... not significantly, I guess?
gollark: Though obviously some people only support Linux for some stuff.
gollark: It's *popular*, so regardless of how *good* it is, developers will keep programming for it.

References
  1. "Hotel Chelsea Buys Beloved El Quijote Restaurant". DNAinfo New York. Archived from the original on 17 April 2018. Retrieved 16 April 2018.
  2. "Historic Spanish Restaurant El Quijote to Close After 88 Years". Ny.eater.com. Retrieved 16 April 2018.
  3. "Sietsema Pays One Last Visit to the Old El Quijote in the Chelsea Hotel". Ny.eater.com. Retrieved 16 April 2018.
  4. "At El Quijote, One Last Helping of Charm, Kitsch and Memories". NYTimes.com. 29 March 2018. Retrieved 16 April 2018.
  5. "New York's Long-Standing El Quijote Isn't Going Anywhere, Is It? - Food Republic". Foodrepublic.com. 19 June 2014. Retrieved 16 April 2018.
  6. Guides, Rough (2016-02-02). The Rough Guide to New York City. ISBN 9780241258453.
  7. Harron, Mary; Minahan, Daniel (1996). I Shot Andy Warhol. Grove Press. p. 106. ISBN 9780802134912. el quijote i shot andy warhol.

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