NYC Restaurants Ordered Closed May 27 - June 3

NEW YORK — Filth flies, vermin and unwashed hands — restaurants across the city have dirty secrets they'd rather not share. But New York City's Health Department is watching.

Every year, inspectors arrive unannounced at more than 25,000 restaurants to examine health and safety standards.

Most eateries pass inspections, but some fall short of the city's standards, accruing violation points for everything from broken light bulbs to "public health hazards," like vermin and failure to follow food safety protocols.

Restaurants hit with non-food-safety violations might get a fine or a lower letter grade, with zero to 13 points warranting an 'A' and violations totaling 28 points or more earning a 'C' (this system is criticized for its efficacy by some gourmands).

Public health hazards that can't be resolved on the spot, like a mouse or fly infestation, pose a bigger issue: immediate closure.

At least several restaurants citywide meet that fate every week. During the last seven days that list includes a margaritas eatery in Manhattan and a takeout spot in Brooklyn.

Here's all the eateries that the Department of Health closed down since Jan. 21, 2022:

MANHATTAN

Noche de Margaritas (1726 2nd Avenue): 44 violation points

1. Food not protected from potential source of contamination during storage, preparation, transportation, display or service.
2. Food not protected from potential source of contamination during storage, preparation, transportation, display or service.
3. Evidence of mice or live mice present in facility's food and/or non-food areas.
4. Facility not vermin proof. Harborage or conditions conducive to attracting vermin to the premises and/or allowing vermin to exist.
5. Sewage disposal system improper or unapproved.

BROOKLYN

Chopsticks (884 Remsen Avenue): 44 violation points

1. Food not cooled by an approved method whereby the internal product temperature is reduced from 140º F to 70º F or less within 2 hours, and from 70º F to 41º F or less within 4 additional hours.
2. Insufficient or no refrigerated or hot holding equipment to keep potentially hazardous foods at required temperatures.
3. Cold food item held above 41º F (smoked fish and reduced oxygen packaged foods above 38 ºF) except during necessary preparation.

Shandar Sweets & Restaurant (679 Coney Island Avenue): 45 violation points

1. Cold food item held above 41º F (smoked fish and reduced oxygen packaged foods above 38 ºF) except during necessary preparation.
2. Personal cleanliness inadequate. Outer garment soiled with possible contaminant. Effective hair restraint not worn in an area where food is prepared.
3. Insufficient or no refrigerated or hot holding equipment to keep potentially hazardous foods at required temperatures.
4. Thawing procedures improper.

QUEENS

Prince Restaurant & Sweets (16803 Hillside Avenue): 37 violation points

1. Evidence of mice or live mice present in facility's food and/or non-food areas.
2. Proper sanitization not provided for utensil ware washing operation.
3. Facility not vermin proof. Harborage or conditions conducive to attracting vermin to the premises and/or allowing vermin to exist.
4. Non-food contact surface improperly constructed. Unacceptable material used. Non-food contact surface or equipment improperly maintained and/or not properly sealed, raised, spaced or movable to allow accessibility for cleaning on all sides, above and underneath the unit.
5. Filth flies or food/refuse/sewage-associated (FRSA) flies present in facility’s food and/or non-food areas. Filth flies include house flies, little house flies, blow flies, bottle flies and flesh flies. Food/refuse/sewage-associated flies include fruit flies, drain flies and Phorid flies.