Consumer Alert Issued For Popular Pittsburgh Restaurant

PITTSBURGH, PA — The Allegheny County Health Department has issued a consumer alert for the Lucca Ristorante & Wine Bar on South Craig Street in Oakland for multiple health code violations.

An inspection on Monday revealed mouse droppings in a silverware holder, on top of a pan, on the counter holding the deli slicer, on the counter holding the pasta maker, on the shelf holding a grinder, in a container holding sauce bottle, at the server station where the glass racks are, on the shelf holding cutting boards in the kitchen, and a shelf above the 3-bowl sink.

Mouse droppings also were found around the perimeter of the basement kitchen and upstairs dining room, in all cooler evaporators in the kitchen, under the 3-bowl sink and food preparation sink and in the cabinet at the server station.

Rodent nesting material was observed behind the hot water tank and under the hotel pan storage in the dish room. A nest was observed behind the frying pan storage shelf.

According to the inspection report, rodent droppings are not being removed and areas containing them are not being disinfected.

There's more.

In-use tongs were sitting in stagnant water on the cook line. An in-use ice cream scoop was sitting in stagnant water on top of the microwave. Scallops were observed resting on a dirty wiping cloth.

Old, dried food residue was present on the blade and guard of the deli slicer and on the can opener blade. The ice machine was encrusted with a black mold-like substance and the inside of the microwave was soiled.

The inside of both walk-in coolers encrusted with old food residue, including the shelves, walls and ceilings.

A restaurant with a consumer alert placard is allowed to operate for a temporary period not exceeding 10 days. Another inspection is conducted either prior to the expiration of the temporary period upon request of the eatery owner or on the tenth day.

See the entire inspection report here.