NYC Restaurants Ordered Closed Feb 18-25

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 popular bagel shop in Brooklyn and a cafe in a three-star, Midtown Manhattan hotel.

Here's all the eateries that the Department of Health has closed down since Feb. 18, 2022:

Manhattan

Krispy Kreme (200 Broadway): 60 violation points

1. Food Protection Certificate not held by supervisor of food operations.
2. Food not protected from potential source of contamination during storage, preparation, transportation, display or service.
3. 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.
4. No facilities available to wash, rinse and sanitize utensils and/or equipment.
5. Single service item reused, improperly stored, dispensed; not used when required.
6. Raw, cooked or prepared food is adulterated, contaminated, cross-contaminated, or not discarded in accordance with HACCP plan.

Lan Larb Chiang Mai (227 Centre Street): 69 violation points

1. Evidence of rats or live rats present in facility's food and/or non-food areas.
2. Pesticide use not in accordance with label or applicable laws. Prohibited chemical used/stored. Open bait station used.
3. Live roaches present in facility's food and/or non-food areas.
4. Evidence of mice or live mice present in facility's food and/or non-food areas.
5. Food contact surface not properly washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any activity when contamination may have occurred.
6. Hand washing facility not provided in or near food preparation area and toilet room. Hot and cold running water at adequate pressure to enable cleanliness of employees not provided at facility. Soap and an acceptable hand-drying device not provided.
7. Facility not vermin proof. Harborage or conditions conducive to attracting vermin to the premises and/or allowing vermin to exist.
8. Hot food item not held at or above 140º F.
9. 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.
10. Wiping cloths soiled or not stored in sanitizing solution.
11. Raw, cooked or prepared food is adulterated, contaminated, cross-contaminated, or not discarded in accordance with HACCP plan.

Moxy 2 Upstairs NYC Times Square (485 7th Avenue): 56 violation points

1. Hand washing facility not provided in or near food preparation area and toilet room. Hot and cold running water at adequate pressure to enable cleanliness of employees not provided at facility. Soap and an acceptable hand-drying device not provided.
2. No facilities available to wash, rinse and sanitize utensils and/or equipment.

Brooklyn

Royal Garden Tbilisi (230 Kings Highway): 55 violation points

1. Evidence of mice or live mice present in facility's food and/or non-food areas.
2. Personal cleanliness inadequate. Outer garment soiled with possible contaminant. Effective hair restraint not worn in an area where food is prepared.
3. Hot food item not held at or above 140º F.
4. Facility not vermin proof. Harborage or conditions conducive to attracting vermin to the premises and/or allowing vermin to exist.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. Raw, cooked or prepared food is adulterated, contaminated, cross-contaminated, or not discarded in accordance with HACCP plan.

Smith Street Bagels (202 Smith Street): 69 violation points

1. Evidence of mice or live mice present in facility's food and/or non-food areas.
2. Raw, cooked or prepared food is adulterated, contaminated, cross-contaminated, or not discarded in accordance with HACCP plan.
3. Facility not vermin proof. Harborage or conditions conducive to attracting vermin to the premises and/or allowing vermin to exist.
4. Food, food preparation area, food storage area, area used by employees or patrons, contaminated by sewage or liquid waste.
5. Hand washing facility not provided in or near food preparation area and toilet room. Hot and cold running water at adequate pressure to enable cleanliness of employees not provided at facility. Soap and an acceptable hand-drying device not provided.
6. Sewage disposal system improper or unapproved.
7. Food contact surface not properly washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any activity when contamination may have occurred.