NYC Restaurants Ordered Closed Oct. 21-28

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.

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

Manhattan

Brooklyn Dumpling Shop

131 First Ave

Violation Points: 68

• Evidence of mice or live mice in establishment's food or non-food areas.
• Properly scaled and calibrated thermometer or thermocouple not provided or not readily accessible in food preparation and hot/cold holding areas to measure temperatures of TCS foods during cooking, cooling, reheating, and holding.
• Contract with a pest management professional not in place. Record of extermination activities not kept on premises.
• Non-food contact surface or equipment made of unacceptable material, not kept clean, or not properly sealed, raised, spaced or movable to allow accessibility for cleaning on all sides, above and underneath the unit.
• Food Protection Certificate (FPC) not held by manager or supervisor of food operations.
• Pesticide not properly labeled or used by unlicensed individual. Pesticide, other toxic chemical improperly used/stored. Unprotected, unlocked bait station used.
• Establishment is not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects or other pests.
• Dishwashing and ware washing: Cleaning and sanitizing of tableware, including dishes, utensils, and equipment deficient.
• Single service article not provided. Single service article reused or not protected from contamination when transported, stored, dispensed. Drinking straws not completely enclosed in wrapper or dispensed from a sanitary device.
• Food, supplies, and equipment not protected from potential source of contamination during storage, preparation, transportation, display or service.
• Filth flies or food/refuse/sewage associated with (FRSA) flies or other nuisance pests in establishment’s food and/or non-food areas.

BROOKLYN

Bluebird Food & Spirits

504 Flatbush Ave.

Violation Points: 74

• Filth flies or food/refuse/sewage associated with (FRSA) flies or other nuisance pests in establishment’s food and/or non-food areas.
• Food contact surface not properly washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any activity when contamination may have occurred.
• Evidence of rats or live rats in establishment's food or non-food areas.
• Non-food contact surface or equipment made of unacceptable material, not kept clean, or not properly sealed, raised, spaced or movable to allow accessibility for cleaning on all sides, above and underneath the unit.
• Personal cleanliness is inadequate. Outer garment soiled with possible contaminant. Effective hair restraint not worn where required. Jewelry is worn on hands or arms. Fingernail polish worn or fingernails not kept clean and trimmed. Establishment is not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects or other pests.
• Food Protection Certificate (FPC) not held by manager or supervisor of food operations. Cold TCS food item held above 41 °F; smoked or processed fish held above 38 °F; intact raw eggs held above 45 °F; or reduced oxygen packaged (ROP) TCS foods held above required temperatures except during active necessary preparation.
• No hand washing facility in or adjacent to toilet room or within 25 feet of a food preparation, food service or ware washing area.
• Hand washing facility not accessible, obstructed or used for non-hand washing purposes. No hot and cold running water or water at inadequate pressure. No soap or acceptable hand-drying device.
• Live roaches in facility's food or non-food area. Contract with a pest management professional not in place. Record of extermination activities not kept on premises.

QUEENS

Coco Pastel

7409 Metropolitan Ave.

Violation Points: 81

• Filth flies or food/refuse/sewage associated with (FRSA) flies or other nuisance pests in establishment’s food and/or non-food areas. FRSA flies include house flies, blow flies, bottle flies, flesh flies, drain flies, Phorid flies and fruit flies.
• Sanitized equipment or utensil, including in-use food dispensing utensil, improperly used or stored. Raw, cooked or prepared food is adulterated, contaminated, cross-contaminated, or not discarded in accordance with HACCP plan.
• Drinking straws not completely enclosed in wrapper or dispensed from a sanitary device.
• Live roaches in facility's food or non-food area.
• Non-food contact surface or equipment made of unacceptable material, not kept clean, or not properly sealed, raised, spaced or movable to allow accessibility for cleaning on all sides, above and underneath the unit.
• Non-food contact surface or equipment made of unacceptable material, not kept clean, or not properly sealed, raised, spaced or movable to allow accessibility for cleaning on all sides, above and underneath the unit.
• Anti-siphonage or back-flow prevention device not provided where required; equipment or floor not properly drained; sewage disposal system in disrepair or not functioning properly. Condensation or liquid waste improperly disposed of. Food Protection Certificate (FPC) not held by manager or supervisor of food operations.
• Food, supplies, and equipment not protected from potential source of contamination during storage, preparation, transportation, display or service. Cold TCS food item held above 41 °F; smoked or processed fish held above 38 °F; intact raw eggs held above 45 °F; or reduced oxygen packaged (ROP) TCS foods held above required temperatures except during active necessary preparation.
• Cold TCS food item held above 41 °F; smoked or processed fish held above 38 °F; intact raw eggs held above 45 °F; or reduced oxygen packaged (ROP) TCS foods held above required temperatures except during active necessary preparation.
• Establishment is not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects or other pests.