The Elegant

The Élégant or Elegant Inn was a fine dining restaurant located at 1575 Montgomery Highway in Hoover. It opened on September 16, 1970.

The business was owned by Larry Russo with his brother-in-law Jack Nichols and Jack's son Steve.

In 1972 The Elegant was named as one of 40 outstanding restaurants in the nation by Esquire magazine. In December of that year chef Dell Durrette prepared a special menu in tribute to composer Cole Porter, patterned after a dinner Porter hosted for the Duke and Duchess of Windsor at New York's Waldorf-Astoria in 1947. The fare featured "Baron of Lamb Indiana" named for Porter's home state. Pianist Margaret Neas performed Porter's songs during the week-long event.

They owners later remodeled by adding a stage, and changed the name to Caesars IV. An accidental fire caused heavy damage, and the business was unable to recover.

Preceded by: ?

1575 Montgomery Highway 1970–

Succeeded by: Trader Ku's

References

• Weaver, Emmett (December 15, 1972) "Gourmet spot has something extra special in food planned." Birmingham Post-Herald, p. 10