MANHATTAN, NEW YORK CITY: Three Texan women attacked a restaurant hostess at New York's Italian restaurant when asked to produce proof of whether they've received the jab. A row ensued after the women began to argue with the hostess about the existence or legitimacy of their Covid-19 documents, according to police. All three women were arrested on assault and criminal mischief charges, according to New York Police Department. 

In the recent past, restaurants and their stance on Covid-19 have managed to make headlines. Just recently, Brooklyn's Julianna's Pizza turned away an anti-vaxxer identified as Ray Valez who created a ruckus after the outlet decided to not serve him for not being vaccinated. Californian restaurant, Basilico's Pasta E Vino owned by Tony Roman who himself advocates for a no-mask and no-vaxx stance, had come under fire for putting up a sign outside the outlet which said they'd serve customers who could prove they were unvaccinated. 

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Who owns Carmine's Italian Restaurant in New York City?

Carmine's New York is owned by Jeffrey Bank, the CEO of Alicart Restaurant Group. Apart from Carmine's, Alicart is responsible for bringing - the Tropicana Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City, Washington Penn Quarter, the Atlantis Resort & Casino in the Bahamas, and in Las Vegas - to the public. He is also the Founding President and Trustee of the NYC Hospitality Alliance since September 2012. 

On September 16, the restaurant's 23-year-old hostess was attacked by the three Texan tourists who were refusing to show proof of vaccination which was needed if they wanted to be seated inside, police said. The NYPD said the hostess was punched, slapped and her necklace was snapped off after she asked for proof of vaccination. Sally Rechelle Lewis, 49, of Houston and Kaeita Nkeenge Rankin, 44, and Tyonnie Keshay Rankin, 21, both from Humble punched and struck the hostess multiple times. 

She told the police she suffered pain and bruising after being attacked by the suspects but refused medical treatment. The group needed to be physically pulled away as they had almost knocked over the hostess stand. “This turned into a mess. And from there, it’s inexcusable, ridiculous,” Jeffrey Bank said. “We ID for 21-year-olds all the time at the bar. We’ve done training weeks before this talking about the enforcement," he added. 

Two other workers who had intervened and tried to end the fight were also injured in the process. “Our employee, thankfully, is safe right now. She’s extremely shook up,” Bank said. “Two other people had minor issues," he added. The hostess is at home recovering from the event.