3 Darien Restaurants Received Failing Grades From Health Department

DARIEN, CT — Three Darien restaurants received failing grades from the town's health department during inspections in the last few months of 2022. But those grades have since improved according to the latest inspection reports.

The town of Darien website notes that since Jan. 1, 2016, the Darien Health Department has been issuing letter grades (A, B or C) to indicate an establishment’s degree of compliance with the Connecticut Public Health Code.

Rating "grades" are closely aligned with the numerical "score" in the detailed inspection report which in turn is based on the presence or absence of risk factor violations that increase the risk of foodborne illness.

An inspection score of 93-100 with no four-point demerit items and no more than two factor violations equals an A grade (substantial compliance) from the Darien Health Department.

An inspection score of 86 to 92 with no four-point demerit items and not more than four risk factor violations is a B grade (acceptable compliance).

C grades (needs improvement) are an inspection score of less than 86, or the presence of one or more four-point violations, or more than four risk factor violations, or the presence of any chronic, previously identified risk factor violations that have not been corrected.

In December, Thai Time was cited for two four-point violations: did not comply with having handwash facilities in all food prep/dispensing & warewash areas, and cold holding less than or equal to 45 degrees Fahrenheit.

Additional remarks from the report showed that a hand sink was not in use because it flooded, and proteins were improperly thawed in three different locations.

Thai Time also received a C grade during a follow-up inspection on Jan. 9, 2023, but made improvements and earned a B grade in a Jan. 18 inspection.

Crêpes Choupette had an A grade in September 2022, but dropped down to a C in December.

The report from Dec. 20, 2022, shows non-compliance with handwashing at appropriate times. There were also several other risk factor violations.

The restaurant jumped back up to a B in a Jan. 3 inspection.

In a September 2022 inspection, Pho Fans Vietnamese was issued a four-point violation: cold holding less than or equal to 45 degrees Fahrenheit. There were a handful of other risk factor violations.

The restaurant subsequently received an A grade later on in September, and another A grade in November.