NYC Restaurants Ordered Closed June 17 - June 24

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 Manhattan bakery and a restaurant in the heart of Downtown Flushing.

Here's all the eateries that the Department of Health closed down since June 17, 2022:

MANHATTAN

Buttercup Bake Shop (167 Madison Ave): 56 violation points

1. Evidence of mice or live mice present in facility's food and/or non-food areas.
2. Facility not vermin proof. Harborage or conditions conducive to attracting vermin to the premises and/or allowing vermin to exist.
3. Food contact surface not properly washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any activity when contamination may have occurred.
4. Appropriately scaled metal stem-type thermometer or thermocouple not provided or used to evaluate temperatures of potentially hazardous foods during cooking, cooling, reheating and holding.
5. Food Protection Certificate not held by supervisor of food operations.

BROOKLYN

3 D's Delight (771 Washington Ave): 59 violation points

1. Live roaches present in facility's food and/or non-food areas.
2. Food Protection Certificate not held by supervisor of food operations.
3. Appropriately scaled metal stem-type thermometer or thermocouple not provided or used to evaluate temperatures of potentially hazardous foods during cooking, cooling, reheating and holding.
4. Proper sanitization not provided for utensil ware washing operation.
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.
6. Food not protected from potential source of contamination during storage, preparation, transportation, display or service.
7. Facility not vermin proof. Harborage or conditions conducive to attracting vermin to the premises and/or allowing vermin to exist.

QUEENS

New Shanghai Tan (135-20 40th Rd): 62 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. Live roaches present in facility's food and/or non-food areas.
3. Facility not vermin proof. Harborage or conditions conducive to attracting vermin to the premises and/or allowing vermin to exist.
4. Personal cleanliness inadequate. Outer garment soiled with possible contaminant. Effective hair restraint not worn in an area where food is prepared.
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.
6. Evidence of rats or live rats present in facility's food and/or non-food areas.
7. Raw, cooked or prepared food is adulterated, contaminated, cross-contaminated, or not discarded in accordance with HACCP plan.
8. Food not protected from potential source of contamination during storage, preparation, transportation, display or service.