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Gandhi, Desi Deli Punjabi Dhaba Score A Grade

NYIndia — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 01:38:11 +0000

While the big-name Indian restaurants in NYC like Chola fare very poorly on the hygiene front, lesser-known names like Gandhi on E.6th St and Desi Deli Punjabi Dhaba on 10th Ave have scored A grade in the New York City Health Department inspection recently.

Here’s the Sep. 1, 2010 sanitary Inspection Report for Gandhi (Critical violations marked by Health Dept. in Red color):

Violation Points: 9

1) Raw, cooked or prepared food is adulterated, contaminated, cross-contaminated, or not discarded in accordance with HACCP plan.
2) Non-food contact surface improperly constructed. Unacceptable material used. Non-food contact surface or equipment improperly maintained and/or not properly sealed, raised, spaced or movable to allow accessibility for cleaning on all sides, above and underneath the unit.

Now here’s the August 27, 2010 sanitary Inspection Report for Desi Deli Punjabi Dhaba (Critical violations marked by Health Dept. in Red color):

Violation Points: 13

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) Other general violation.

Grading System:
A – 0-13 Violation Points
B – 14-27 Violation Points
C – 28 or more Violation Points

Chola NYC has Rats, Mice, Food Contamination, Vermin Issues; NYC Health Dept Pees on Bollywood Actor Shiva Natarajan’s Chola Indian Restaurant

NYIndia — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 03:11:59 +0000

OMG, OMG, Rats, mice, vermin and food contamination issues?

Chola NYC – Restaurant or Pig-Sty?
Say, is Chola NYC on E.58th St in Midtown Manhattan an Indian restaurant or a filthy pig-sty.

Folks, Rats, Mice, Vermin, Sewage and Food Contamination issues are some of the hygiene problems identified by the NYC Health Department on August 26, 2010 at Chola, the flagship Indian restaurant of Bollywood actor Shiva Natarajan in NYC and the favorite of Indian movie stars like Aamir Khan, Akshay Kumar and Aishwarya Rai.

Do Hollywood stars Harrison Ford and Woody Allen also come to your Rat & Mice place oops Chola, Shiva?

Geez, Harrison Ford and Woody Allen would have a heart attack if only they knew how dirty Chola is!

Chola NYC – Dirty, Really Dirty

Guys, if we’ve said it once we’ve said it a million times – Bollywood actor Shiva Natarajan is irresponsibly careless when it comes to hygiene at his NYC restaurants.

Repeatedly, Shiva’s Indian restaurants get pulled up by the NYC Health Dept. over evidence of rats, mice, roaches and other serious hygiene issues.

Rats, Mice, Vermin, Food Contamination Issues
Hit Shiva Natarajan’s Flagship Chola

In the latest instance, the New York City Department of Health and Hygiene has put out a highly damaging report on Shiva’s Chola Indian restaurant that gives it a massive 40 violation points.

And the report is so damaging that Chola and Shiva Natarajan are both in deep shit.

Here are the Sanitary Violations Highlighted by the NYC Health Dept (Critical violations marked by Health Dept. in Red color):

1) Raw, cooked or prepared food is adulterated, contaminated, cross-contaminated, or not discarded in accordance with HACCP plan.
2) Evidence of rats or live rats present in facility’s food and/or non-food areas.
3) Evidence of mice or live mice present in facility’s food and/or non-food areas.
4) Food not protected from potential source of contamination during storage, preparation, transportation, display or service.
5) Food contact surface not properly washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any activity when contamination may have occurred.
6) Facility not vermin proof. Harborage or conditions conducive to attracting vermin to the premises and/or allowing vermin to exist.
7) Plumbing not properly installed or maintained; anti-siphonage or backflow prevention device not provided where required; equipment or floor not properly drained; sewage disposal system in disrepair or not functioning properly.
8. Non-food contact surface improperly constructed. Unacceptable material used. Non-food contact surface or equipment improperly maintained and/or not properly sealed, raised, spaced or movable to allow accessibility for cleaning on all sides, above and underneath the unit. Continue Reading

Surya NYC has Food Adulteration/Contamination, Mice Issues – NYC Health Dept.

NYIndia — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 22:44:36 +0000

Raw, cooked or prepared food at Surya on Bleecker St in New York City is adulterated, contaminated, cross-contaminated, or not discarded in accordance with HACCP plan, says the New York City Health Department after inspecting this Indian restaurant on August 19, 2010.

Surya NYC also has evidence of mice or live mice present in facility’s food and/or non-food areas.

Surya located at 302 Bleecker St in Manhattan received a whopping 30 Violation Points.

Sanitary Violations observed at Surya during the August 19, 2010 inspection:
(Critical Violations in red color):

*1) Cold food item held above 41º F (smoked fish and reduced oxygen packaged foods above 38 ºF) except during necessary preparation.
2) Raw, cooked or prepared food is adulterated, contaminated, cross-contaminated, or not discarded in accordance with HACCP plan.
3) Evidence of mice or live mice present in facility’s food and/or non-food areas.
4) Facility not vermin proof. Harborage or conditions conducive to attracting vermin to the premises and/or allowing vermin to exist.
5) Non-food contact surface improperly constructed. Unacceptable material used. Non-food contact surface or equipment improperly maintained and/or not properly sealed, raised, spaced or movable to allow accessibility for cleaning on all sides, above and underneath the unit.
6) Other general violation.

* Critical Violations are displayed in red color

Surya Indian restaurant Previous NYC Inspection Results:

Date | Violation Points

01/26/2010 – 17
01/05/2010 – 46
11/12/2009 – 30
01/12/2009 – 22
11/20/2008 – 47
01/07/2007 – 21
02/15/2006 – 12

Though Surya Indian restaurant received 30 violation points in August 19, 2010 health inspection, it has yet to go through the NYC Health Dept’s new graded inspection program.

Pricey At Vermilion – Plenty Sanitation Problems

NYIndia — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 16:11:53 +0000

Pricey Indian restaurant At Vermilion, located at 480 Lexington Avenue in Midtown East Manhattan, has fared badly in the recent New York City Health Department inspection notching up 27 violation points.

Food contact surface at, At Vermilion is not properly washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any activity when contamination may have occurred, says the NYC Health Department following an inspection on August 12, 2010.

Further, hand washing facility is not provided in or near food preparation area and toilet room, hot and cold running water at adequate pressure to enable cleanliness of employees is not provided at facility, soap and an acceptable hand-drying device is not provided, according to the NYC Health inspection report.

At Vermilion Indian restaurant received 27 violation points of which food contact surface, hand washing facility and cold food item held above 41º F issues were marked as critical violations.

Sanitary Violations observed at At Vermilion during the August 12, 2010 inspection
(Critical Violations in red color):

*1) Cold food item held above 41º F (smoked fish and reduced oxygen packaged foods above 38 ºF) except during necessary preparation.

2) 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.

3) Food contact surface not properly washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any activity when contamination may have occurred.

4) Plumbing not properly installed or maintained;

anti-siphonage or backflow prevention device not provided where required;

equipment or floor not properly drained;

sewage disposal system in disrepair or not functioning properly.

5) Other general violation.

* Critical Violations are displayed in red color

At Vermilion Indian Restaurant Previous NYC Health Dept. Inspection Results:

Date | Violation Points

12/01/2009 – 13
01/29/2009 – 19

At Vermilion has yet to go through the NYC Health Dept’s new graded inspection program.

Darbar Grill Has Filth/FRSA Flies – NYC Health Dept.

NYIndia — Sat, 14 Aug 2010 01:49:57 +0000

Darbar Grill Indian restaurant, located at 157 East 55 St in Midtown East Manhattan, has filth flies or food/refuse/sewage-associated (FRSA) flies present in facility’s food and/or non-food areas, says the New York City Health Department following its inspection of this Indian restaurant on August 11, 2010.

Filth flies, according to the NYC Health Dept inspection report of August 11, 2010, 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.

Further, food contact surface at Darbar Grill is not properly washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any activity when contamination may have occurred according to the NYC Health inspection report.

Darbar Grill Indian restaurant received 30 violation points of which presence of filth flies, cold food item and food contact surface issues are marked as critical violations.

Sanitary Violations observed at Darbar Grill during the August 11, 2010 inspection
(Critical Violations in red color):

*1) Cold food item held above 41º F (smoked fish and reduced oxygen packaged foods above 38 ºF) except during necessary preparation.
2) 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.
3) Food contact surface not properly washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any activity when contamination may have occurred.
4) Facility not vermin proof. Harborage or conditions conducive to attracting vermin to the premises and/or allowing vermin to exist.
5) Single service item reused, improperly stored, dispensed; not used when required.
6) Other general violation.

* Critical Violations are displayed in red color

Darbar Grill Indian Restaurant Previous NYC Health Dept. Inspection Results:

Date | Violation Points

01/06/2010 – 20
12/03/2009 – 60
12/29/2008 – 7

Darbar Grill has yet to go through the NYC Health Dept’s new graded inspection program.

Aaheli Has Mice, Flying Insects and Vermin Issues; Fails NYC Health Inspection Again

NYIndia — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 03:00:18 +0000

Sri Om Balaji Corporation dba Aaheli, located at 826 9th Avenue in Midtown West Manhattan, has evidence of mice or live mice, flying insects or live flying insects present in facility’s food and/or non-food areas, says the New York City Health Department following its inspection of this Indian restaurant on July 6, 2010.

Also, according to the NYC Health Dept inspection report of July 6, 2010, Aaheli Indian restaurant facility is not vermin proof and harborage or conditions conducive to vermin exist.

Aaheli Indian restaurant received a whopping 52 violation points and failed the NYC Health Dept. Inspection of July 6, 2010.

To pass the NYC Health Dept. inspection, a restaurant must receive 27 violation points or less.

Aaheli Fails Health Inspection Twice

Folks, this is the second health inspection failure for Aaheli Indian Restaurant this year. Aaheli Indian Restaurant failed the previous NYC Health Dept. inspection conducted on May 20, 2010 as well by receiving 41 violation points.

Sanitary Violations observed at Aaheli during the July 6, 2010 inspection (Critical Violations in red color):

*1) Cold food held above 41°F (smoked fish above 38°F) except during necessary preparation.
2) Evidence of mice or live mice present in facility’s food and/or non-food areas.
3) Evidence of flying insects or live flying insects present in facility’s food and/or non-food areas.
4) Sufficient refrigerated or hot holding equipment not provided to meet proper time and temperature requirements for potentially hazardous foods.
5) Facility not vermin proof. Harborage or conditions conducive to vermin exist.
6) Food contact surface not properly maintained.
7) Plumbing not properly installed or maintained; anti-siphonage or backflow prevention device not provided where required; equipment or floor not properly drained; sewage disposal system in disrepair or not functioning properly.

* Critical Violations are displayed in red color

Aaheli Indian Restaurant Previous NYC Health Dept. Inspection Results:

Date | Violation Points

05/20/2010 – 42
07/22/2009 – 16

Potential Food Contamination Issues at Minar; Fails NYC Health Inspection

NYIndia — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 21:06:19 +0000

Food at Minar Indian Restaurant is not protected from potential source of contamination during storage, preparation, transportation, display or service, says the New York City Health Department following its inspection of this Midtown West Manhattan Indian restaurant on June 11, 2010.

This is not the first time that NYC Health Dept has pulled up Minar Indian Restaurant on potential food contamination issues. The previous NYC Health Dept. inspection report of February 24, 2010 also mentioned potential food contamination issues at Minar.

Besides the potential food contamination issues, NYC Health Dept in its June 11 inspection of Minar also found other sanitary violations like improper construction and maintenance of non-food contact surface or equipment and smoked fish and/ or ROP processed food held above 38 degrees Fahrenheit.

Minar Indian Restaurant located at 138 West 46th Street in NYC received 33 violation points during the June 11, 2010 inspection and failed the NYC Health Dept inspection.

To pass the NYC Health Dept. inspection, a restaurant must receive 27 violation points or less.

Folks, this is the second health inspection failure for Minar Indian Restaurant this year. Minar Indian Restaurant failed the NYC Health Dept. inspection conducted on January 27, 2010 as well by receiving 37 violation points.

Sanitary Violations observed at Minar during the June 11, 2010 inspection:

1.) Non-food contact surface improperly constructed. Unacceptable material used. Non-food contact surface or equipment improperly maintained.
2.) Food not protected from potential source of contamination during storage, preparation, transportation, display or service.
3.) Appropriately scaled metal stem-type thermometer or thermocouple not provided or used to evaluate temperatures of PHFs during cooking, cooling, reheating, and holding.
4.) Smoked fish and/ or ROP processed food held above 38 degrees Fahrenheit; other PHF held above 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Except during necessary preparation.
5.) Hot PHF not held at or above 140 degrees Fahrenheit.

The NYC Dept. of Health said a Notice of Violation was not issued as a result of this inspection and that the violation point total received by Minar Indian Restaurant is above the average violation point total of 13 for all NYC restaurants on their most recent inspection.

But, Minar Indian Restaurant requires compliance inspection according to the June 11, 2010 inspection report.

Minar Indian Restaurant Previous NYC Health Dept. Inspection Results:

Date | Violation Points

02/24/2010 – 27
01/27/2010 – 37

Roaches, Vermin Issues at Spice Fusion; Fails NYC Health Inspection

NYIndia — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 20:49:31 +0000

Raw, cooked or prepared food at Spice Fusion is adulterated, contaminated, cross-contaminated and/ or not discarded in accordance with HACCP plan, says the New York City Health Department following an inspection of this Midtown West Manhattan Indian restaurant on June 25, 2010.

Spice Fusion Indian Bistro located at 777 on 8th Ave in NYC has evidence of, or live roaches in facility’s food and/ or nonfood areas and is not vermin proof, harborage or conditions conducive to vermin exist according to NYC Health Dept. inspection report of June 25, 2010.

Also, hand washing facility at Spice Fusion Indian restaurant is not provided in or near food preparation area and toilet room; soap and an acceptable hand-drying device and hot and cold running water at adequate pressure are not provided at the facility.

Roaches, Vermin Issues Mar Spice Fusion

Spice Fusion received 38 violation points during the June 25, 2010 inspection and failed the NYC Health Dept inspection.

To pass the NYC Health Dept. inspection, a restaurant must receive 27 violation points or less.

Sanitary Violations observed at Spice Fusion during the June 25, 2010 inspection:

1.) Choking first aid poster, alcohol and pregnancy warning sign, inspection report sign; not posted. CPR sign not posted, equipment (resuscitation masks, adult & pediatric, latex gloves) not provided.
2.) Facility not vermin proof. Harborage or conditions conducive to vermin infestation exist.
3.) Food contact surface not properly maintained, or not washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any activity when contamination may have occurred.
4.) Hand washing facility not provided in or near food preparation area and toilet room. Hot and cold running water at adequate pressure not provided at facility. Soap and an acceptable hand-drying device not provided.
5.) Evidence of, or live roaches in facility’s food and/ or nonfood areas.
6.) Raw, cooked or prepared food is adulterated, contaminated, cross-contaminated and/ or not discarded in accordance with HACCP plan.
7.) Smoked fish and/ or ROP processed food held above 38 degrees Fahrenheit; other PHF held above 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Except during necessary preparation.

The NYC Health Dept. said that a Notice of Violation was not issued as a result of this inspection and that the violation point total received by Spice Fusion is above the average violation point total of 13 for all NYC restaurants on their most recent inspection.

But, Spice Fusion requires compliance inspection according to the June 25, 2010 inspection report.

Spice Fusion Indian Restaurant Previous NYC Inspection Results:

Date | Violation Points

12/04/2009 – 17
02/25/2009 – 19
02/10/2009 – 96
05/17/2007 – 20

Tiffin Walla Re-Opened By NYC Health Dept.

NYIndia — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 23:39:20 +0000

Tiffin Walla Indian restaurant located at 127 East 28th Street in Curry Hill area has been re-opened by the New York City Health Department following a health inspection on June 28, 2010.

Tiffin Wallah Indian restaurant received 5 violation points in the NYC Health Dept. inspection conducted on June 28, 2010 and passed the health inspection.

To pass the NYC Health Dept. inspection, a restaurant must receive 27 violation points or less.

Sanitary Violations observed at Tiffin Walla during the June 28, 2010 inspection:

1.) Non-food contact surface improperly constructed. Unacceptable material used. Non-food contact surface or equipment improperly maintained.
2.) Toilet facility not maintained and provided with toilet paper, waste receptacle and self-closing door.

The NYC Health Dept. said a Notice of Violation was not issued as a result of this inspection and that the violation point total received by Tiffin Walla is below the average violation point total of 14 for all NYC restaurants on their most recent inspection.

Tiffin Walla Previous Health Inspection Results:

Date | Violation Points

06/24/2010 - 17
06/09/2010 – 82
05/17/2010 – 42
08/13/2009 – 9
07/22/2009 – 64
02/02/2009 – 17
11/07/2008 – 26
04/14/2007 – 7

OMG, Tiffin Walla Re-closed By NYC Health Dept.

NYIndia — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 21:36:18 +0000

Tiffin Walla Indian restaurant located at 127 East 28th Street in Curry Hill area has been re-closed by the New York City Health Department after conducting a health inspection on June 24, 2010.

This is the second consecutive time in a month that NYC Health Dept. closed Tiffin Wallah restaurant in the Curry Hill area of Lexington Avenue.

The NYC Health Dept closed Tiffin Walla Indian restaurant on June 9, 2010 after it failed the NYC Health Inspection by receiving 82 violoation points.

While re-closing Tiffin Wallah Indian restaurant on June 24, 2010, the NYC Health Dept. noted several sanitary violations like facility not vermin proof, evidence of, or live roaches in facility’s food and/ or nonfood areas, evidence of, or live rats in facility’s food and/ or non-food areas.

Closed a Second Time by NYC Health Dept

Tiffin Walla Indian restaurant received 17 violation points in the NYC Health Dept. inspection conducted on June 24, 2010.

To pass the NYC Health Dept. inspection, a restaurant must receive 27 violation points or less.

Sanitary Violations observed at Tiffin Walla during the June 24, 2010 inspection:

1.) Non-food contact surface improperly constructed. Unacceptable material used. Non-food contact surface or equipment improperly maintained.
2.) Plumbing not properly installed or maintained; anti-siphonage or backflow prevention device not provided where required; equipment or floor not properly drained; sewage disposal system in disrepair or not functioning properly.
3.) Facility not vermin proof. Harborage or conditions conducive to vermin infestation exist.
4.) Evidence of, or live roaches in facility’s food and/ or nonfood areas.
5.) Evidence of, or live rats in facility’s food and/ or non-food areas.

The NYC Health Dept. said a Notice of Violation was not issued as a result of this inspection and that the violation point total received by Tiffin Walla is above the average violation point total of 14 for all NYC restaurants on their most recent inspection.

Tiffin Walla Previous Health Inspection Results:

Date | Violation Points
08/13/2009 – 82
05/17/2010 – 42
08/13/2009 – 9
07/22/2009 – 64
02/02/2009 – 17
11/07/2008 – 26
04/14/2007 – 7