Elmo Restaurant

03/14/2026

03/09/2026

“Elmo Takes Manhattan!”
- New York Magazine


“The Best Restaurant of the Year.
Swanky, trendy décor and American “comfort” cuisine, beautiful people and an achingly cool reputation make Elmo our pick for the best eatery of the year!”
- Instinct Magazine


"Part of the Chelsea arts scene? A follower of fashion? Part of the uber-attractive crowd? You’ll love this sleek hotspot with the chicest of chow.”
- Gotham Magazine


There's "no pressure" and not "too much attitude-yet" at this Chelsea eatery that attracts a fashionista crowd with "fabulous cocktails" and fancy schmancy 1960's Miami decor. Its "downstairs" lounge is a more recent addition, but already so loud "you’d better brush up on your sign language!"
- Zagat

03/02/2026

Dear Friends,

For nearly 25 years elmo has been the destination for hundreds of thousands of guests to enjoy some of life’s best moments.

It’s been a place for a first date or dinner with friends. A place for important celebrations and fabulous parties….or simply a place to gather comfortably with members of your community at a home away from home. Elmo has also been a space for hundreds of staff to build lifelong friendships.

We’ve seen marriages between guests and also amongst co-workers. We’ve hosted countless events from birthday parties to memorial services and political fund raisers.

We opened just months after the events of 911 and stayed open and serving food and cocktails through Sandy, several blackouts and record snow falls. We survived COVID with style by launching our wonderfully successful speakeasy, Coby Club. We’ve enjoyed so many proud moments I lost count a long time ago.

It was just confirmed to me that our building—home to elmo for 25 years—has been sold.
Our lease expires with that sale.
The new owners will soon bring a residential building to our neighborhood.

Sadly, all things must come to an end and elmo will serve its last meal on Friday, March 13.

With this news I personally will try to embrace all the beautiful memories and wonderful experiences elmo has given me and will move forward with new ventures and philanthropic projects that hopefully will have a wide impact.

There are few businesses as challenging or as exciting as owning a restaurant in New York City.

25 years is a very long time. To own a restaurant that has enjoyed the astonishing success and iconic stature that elmo has is a privilege and an honor. It has been a wonderfully exhilarating ride.

I will always remain deeply and profoundly grateful for your years of support and for your friendship.

I’ll see you around.

Bob Pontarelli

12/13/2025

What are you doing New Year’s Eve?

05/21/2025