Critical Cleanliness Violations at Restaurants in Brooklyn and The Bronx

Background photo via Tim Mossholder on Unsplash

Department of Health inspections from November 14 to November 16 found 13 businesses with critical violations in cleanliness and sanitation. The businesses below were ordered closed, but may reopen once violations have been corrected.

Learn more about the inspection process from nyc.gov and search the Department of Health inspection database for full details on any establishment that serves food.

GrandmaS Original Pizzeria in Brooklyn

6918 3RD AVE

Violations

Food not protected from potential source of contamination during storage, preparation, transportation, display or service.
Cold food item held above 41° F (smoked fish and reduced oxygen packaged foods above 38 °F) except during necessary preparation.
Evidence of mice or live mice present in facility's food and/or non-food areas.

Hug Tea in Brooklyn

810 60TH ST

Violations

Food contact surface improperly constructed or located. Unacceptable material used.
Food not protected from potential source of contamination during storage, preparation, transportation, display or service.

Highway Restaurant & Bar in Brooklyn

5419 CHURCH AVE

Violations

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.
Hot food item not held at or above 140° F.
Evidence of mice or live mice present in facility's food and/or non-food areas.
Raw, cooked or prepared food is adulterated, contaminated, cross-contaminated, or not discarded in accordance with HACCP plan.

Master Grill in The Bronx

262 CYPRESS AVE

Violations

No facilities available to wash, rinse and sanitize utensils and/or equipment.
Food contact surface not properly washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any activity when contamination may have occurred.
Insufficient or no refrigerated or hot holding equipment to keep potentially hazardous foods at required temperatures.
Harmful, noxious gas or vapor detected. CO ~1 3 ppm.
Evidence of mice or live mice present in facility's food and/or non-food areas.

The Great American Health Bar in Manhattan

35 WEST 57 STREET

Violations

Live roaches present in facility'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.
Food, food preparation area, food storage area, area used by employees or patrons, contaminated by sewage or liquid waste.
Cold food item held above 41° F (smoked fish and reduced oxygen packaged foods above 38 °F) except during necessary preparation.

Happy Fresh Taco in Queens

1693A PUTNAM AVE

Violations

Evidence of mice or live mice present in facility's food and/or non-food areas.
Live roaches present in facility's food and/or non-food areas.
Food not protected from potential source of contamination during storage, preparation, transportation, display or service.

Il Gnocchi Restaurant in Manhattan

118 EAST 116 STREET

Violations

No facilities available to wash, rinse and sanitize utensils and/or equipment.
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.
Toilet facility not provided for employees or for patrons when required.

Caffeine Underground in Brooklyn

447 CENTRAL AVE

Violations

Food not protected from potential source of contamination during storage, preparation, transportation, display or service.
Evidence of mice or live mice present in facility'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.
Cold food item held above 41° F (smoked fish and reduced oxygen packaged foods above 38 °F) except during necessary preparation.
Live animals other than fish in tank or service animal present in facility's food and/or non-food areas.

Matryoshka (Spa 88) in Manhattan

88 FULTON STREET

Violations

Food, food preparation area, food storage area, area used by employees or patrons, contaminated by sewage or liquid waste.
Food contact surface not properly washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any activity when contamination may have occurred.
Food not protected from potential source of contamination during storage, preparation, transportation, display or service.
Hot food item not held at or above 140° F.

Zauo in Manhattan

152 W 24TH ST

Violations

Food contact surface not properly washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any activity when contamination may have occurred.
Food not protected from potential source of contamination during storage, preparation, transportation, display or service.
Evidence of mice or live mice present in facility's food and/or non-food areas.

Bergen Beach Cafe in Brooklyn

7112 AVENUE U

Violations

Live roaches present in facility's food and/or non-food areas.
Food not protected from potential source of contamination during storage, preparation, transportation, display or service.
Cold food item held above 41° F (smoked fish and reduced oxygen packaged foods above 38 °F) except during necessary preparation.
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.
Food Protection Certificate not held by supervisor of food operations.
Hot food item not held at or above 140° F.

Acqua in Manhattan

718 AMSTERDAM AVENUE

Violations

Live roaches present in facility's food and/or non-food areas.
Evidence of rats or live rats present in facility's food and/or non-food areas.
Cold food item held above 41° F (smoked fish and reduced oxygen packaged foods above 38 °F) except during necessary preparation.

Tournesol in Queens

5012 VERNON BOULEVARD

Violations

Evidence of mice or live mice present in facility's food and/or non-food areas.
Raw, cooked or prepared food is adulterated, contaminated, cross-contaminated, or not discarded in accordance with HACCP plan.
Tobacco use, eating, or drinking from open container in food preparation, food storage or dishwashing area observed.