NYC Restaurants Ordered Closed Sept. 17-21

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 Sept. 16:

Manhattan

Tria Diner (22 Chatham Sq.):

Violation points: 52

• Raw, cooked or prepared food is adulterated, contaminated, cross-contaminated, or not discarded in accordance with HACCP plan.
• Live roaches in facility's food or non-food area.
• Food, supplies, and equipment not protected from potential source of contamination during storage, preparation, transportation, display or service.
• Establishment is not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects or other pests.
• Pesticide not properly labeled or used by unlicensed individual. Pesticide, other toxic chemical improperly used/stored. Unprotected, unlocked bait station used.
• 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.

Brooklyn

Twins Dumpling King (151 Avenue U):

Violation points: 64

• Food contact surface not properly washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any activity when contamination may have occurred.
• Hot TCS food item not held at or above 140 °F.
• Tobacco or electronic cigarette use, eating, or drinking from open container in food preparation, food storage or dishwashing area.
• 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.
• Evidence of mice or live mice 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.
• Establishment is not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects or other pests.

Home Made Cooking Cafe (504 Brighton Beach Ave.):

Violation points: 54

• Food worker/food vendor does not wash hands thoroughly after using the toilet, or after coughing, sneezing, smoking, eating, preparing raw foods or otherwise contaminating hands or does not change gloves when required; Worker fails to refrain from smoking or being fully clothed in clean outer garments.
• 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.
• Evidence of mice or live mice in establishment's food or non-food areas.
• Establishment is not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects or other pests.
• 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.
• 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.

Queens

Eastern (70-47 Parsons Blvd.):

Violation points: 53

• Hot TCS food item not held at or above 140 °F.
• 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.
• Evidence of mice or live mice in establishment's food or non-food areas.
• Food, supplies, and equipment not protected from potential source of contamination during storage, preparation, transportation, display or service.
• Live roaches in facility's food or non-food area.
• Thawing procedure improper.
• Establishment is not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects or other pests.

Da Pai Dong (77-00 Queens Blvd.):

Violation points: 33

• 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.
• Evidence of rats or live rats in establishment's food or non-food areas.
• Establishment is not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects or other pests