It was the start of the legislative session in Albany yesterday, but after business wrapped up for the day, State Sen. Daniel Squadron headed straight for the Russ & Daughters Cafe.
While he has a soft spot for pretty much anything on the menu, Squadron did not high-tail it back to Manhattan just for a little nosh. Back in June, his resolution honoring the legendary appetizing store’s 100th anniversary was unanimously approved by the Senate. While the Russ & Daughters family gathered for a post-holiday party, Squadron presented fourth-generation co-owners Niki Russ Federman and Josh Russ Tupper with the resolution. You can read the full text here.
It was quite a year for the famed appetizing store. A new cafe opened on Orchard Street to rave reviews. The New York Times named it the second best new restaurant of 2014. In brief remarks, Squadron told the story of his own Lower East Side roots (his grandfather grew up on lower Ludlow Street). He said the store stands as an important testament to the immigrant experience in New York.
Squadron even recounted an early date with his future wife in the shop. Fortunately, she passed the Russ & Daughters test.
