A Founder of the Legendary Raoul’s Has Died | Eater NY
"Founded in 1975 by brothers Serge and Guy Raoul in then-gritty Soho, this restaurant quickly became the center of Downtown nightlife and a magnet for Serge’s colleagues in the French press, artists such as Jeff Koons, Jean-Michel Basquiat, and Andy Warhol, Wall Streeters, models, and A-list celebrities. The menu offered classic French dishes — their steak au poivre is singled out — while an edgy late-night scene included beloved maître d' Rob Jones performing in drag on top of the bar. Serge ran the front of house with a perfectionist’s eye while Guy led the kitchen, and longtime maître d’ Eddie Hudson remembers him as a taskmaster with a soft, spiritual side who “put SoHo on the map as a dining destination” and created the magic in the room that keeps the place popular. The original location remains at 180 Prince Street (at Sullivan Street), and Raoul’s legacy continues under his son Karim, who took over operations in 2014; the restaurant is set to mark its 50th anniversary next year." - Kathleen Squires
