NEW YORK (WCBS 880) — A security guard will be posted at the popular restaurant Carmine’s on the Upper West Side, according to the owner, after a hostess was attacked by a group of tourists from Texas on Thursday.
The hostess, who was not named, asked three women to show proof of vaccination as they entered the restaurant at Broadway and West 91st Street around 5 p.m., according to authorities.
Officials said a dispute ensued over the validity of the documents and the three women soon began to physically attack the 24-year-old hostess.
New York City requires all people 12 years and older who are eating indoors at restaurants to show proof of vaccination.
The three alleged attackers — a 44-year-old woman, her 21-year-old daughter and a 49-year-old woman — were arrested on assault and criminal mischief charges, according to multiple reports. They were given desk appearance tickets and ordered to appear in court Oct. 5.
The hostess visited a hospital sometime after the attack and has since been released, according to owner Jeffrey Bank.
He told WCBS 880 that the attack was shocking, and he wants to make sure visitors understand that it is not normal for violence to occur at his eatery.
“I think this is a one-off situation of some people that were a little off because we check vaccine cards every single day, since [the mandate] started,” he said. “We even had an outdoor option if you're not vaccinated, you can eat outside.”
Banks said the hostess has been shaken up by the attack but is recovering.
“She's just obviously shocked and startled,” he said.
Banks noted that the security guard will remain posted outside the restaurant to help customers and staff feel safe at the restaurant after the incident.
Meanwhile, the New York City Hospitality Alliance is now pushing the city and state to increase penalties for assaults on restaurant workers.
The incident has already drawn attention from multiple New York City lawmakers, including Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer, who retweeted a video of the incident and said, “There’s no place for this kind of violence to be perpetrated against our essential workers.”
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