Epstein and Menin Team Up to Form Animal Rights Caucus
Two East Side City Council members are heading up the newly formed Animal Welfare Causcus, a first for the City Council. CD 3’s newly elected CM Harvey Epstein representing the East Village an mid-town East and long time dog dad to rescue dog Homer, will head the caucus and he’s drawn support from Julie Menin, CD 5 Council Member on the Upper East Side.
“Pets are family,” the duo posted on Facebook. “That’s why the Council is forming its first-ever Animal Welfare Caucus: to make pet ownership more affordable and build a more compassionate city for every New Yorker, whether they have two legs or four.”
Hopefully, the caucus will be instrumental in advancing Int. 1471, NYC’s Bodega Cat Bill introduced by Councilman Keith Powers in November 2025 before he was elected to the NYS Assembly to represent the 74th AD. Legislation is needed to resolve the current NYC Health Code problem that prohibits animals in food establishments. Fines are imposed for violations. Enforcement is inconsistent. Some inspectors issue citations. Others look the other way. The bill would also create a free vaccination program for cats in retail stores, administered by the Office of Animals Welfare and the Department of Small Business Services and creates a free spay/neuter program through the same offices.
Elsewhere, City Council Member Virginia Maloney introduced her first bill. It would strengthen emergency preparedness for religious institutions in the wake of growing threats and attacks, anger, misinformation, and divisiveness. The bill was sparked in part by an anti-Israel protest against the Park East Synagogue at 63 E. 67th St. on Nov. 19, in which protestors intimidated worshippers entering the synagogue for services. That prompted an in-person apology to the synagogue from NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch who noted everyone has a right to protest but that the demonstrators should not have been allowed so close to the synagogue.
Kellari Taverna turns 20. While restaurants come and go, Kellari Taverna in the Theater District stays and grows and thrives. On March 7th, in commemoration and celebration of two decades in the Theater District, owner Stravos Aktipis hosted a 20th Anniversary Celebration to kick off Greek Heritage Month and to honor the restaurant’s rich culinary and cultural history.
The night was retro in style and price and featured a Roaring ‘20s theme–live jazz & blues from members of the iconic Cotton Club band, traditional Greek music by live vocalists, and a blessing by a Greek priest during the cutting of the Vasilopia (Greek New Year’s cake). For the one-night celebration, Kellari offered a curated menu of opening day-day favorites at 2006 prices when Lavraki/Sea Boss was $36 - today it’s $70. Cocktails for the night were $10 (today could be $15 and up). Original Greek faves like Nislotiko (cod wrapped in grape leaves, skordalia and horta) and paidakia (grilled pasture-raised lamb chops). For one night only.
Now comes Greek Easter. This year it’s Sunday, April 12th. Don’t look for 2006 prices. The menu’s a la carte and prices are 2026. I’ve been dining At Kellari’s Taverna from the get-go. And it’s priceless–the food, the service, the staff, the welcoming environment. Downside for me–no Retsina on the Wine menu. And I’m not finding it on the wine list of lesser priced Greek establishments where souvlaki and gyros are on the menu. Why?
The Easter menu’s a la carte. Easter Lamb is spit-roasted and served with oven roasted lemon potatoes. Paidakia, grilled pasture raised lamb chops, is served with asparagus and roasted lemon potatoes. Other Greek specialties, including Thalassina, mixed grilled seafood platter, octopus, calamari and prawns is served with roasted vegetable. Bakalao Me Kavouri is wild Icelandic cod, crab encrusted, with lemon dill aioli, over a potato scallion cake, and sautéed spinach. Sides include Kellari Fries, a must-have feta-truffle mousse, and rapini (sauteed broccolini). Prices, strictly 2026, not retro. Go, you’ll love it.
Kellari’s Taverna, 19 West 44th St., 212 221-0044