NYIndia.us Blog

Surya NYC Review – Lousy Food; So-So Service

Oh no, we’re not talking of Michael ‘Sivakumar’ Jackson’s son Surya.

Folks, we’re talking about Surya, the dirty downtown Manhattan Indian restaurant.

God, one of the crappiest NYC Indian restaurants we’ve had the misfortune to dine at.

Is it an irony or what that Shani, the trouble-giving son of Surya, the Sun God, in Hindu mythology, has got a vice-like grip on Surya, the NYC restaurant and refuses to let go.

First, Surya located at 302 Bleecker St in Manhattan failed New York City Health Department’s restaurant inspection of November 12, 2009 by receiving 30 Violation Points.

Now, nearly two months later Surya again failed the the NYC Health Dept. inspection (of January 5, 2010) by receiving 46 violation points – a considerable deterioration over the earlier failed inspection.

According to the NYC Health Dept. inspection report of January 5, 2010, Surya restaurant facility is not not vermin proof, has evidence of, or live mice in facility’s food and/or non-food areas and food protection certificate is not held by supervisor of food operations.

That’s not all, guys.

The NYC Health Dept’s inspection report of January 5, 2010 also indicated that the toilet facility at Surya NYC is not maintained and provided with toilet paper, waste receptacle and self closing door, and hand washing facility is not provided in or near food preparation area and toilet room.

How disgusting!

This is the third time Surya has failed the NYC Health inspection in the last 14 months (previous failures on November 12, 2009 and November 20, 2008).

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

Surya failed the NYC Health Dept inspection of January 5, 2010 by receiving 46 violation points.

Sanitary Violations observed at Surya during the January 5, 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.) Toilet facility not maintained and provided with toilet paper, waste receptacle and self-closing door. Continue reading »

Surya NYC Review – Lousy Food; So-So Service

Surya, one of the lousiest New York Indian restaurants we’ve had the misfortune to dine at,  is not vermin proof and there is evidence of rats or live rats, mice or live mice in the facility’s food and/or non-food areas, says the New York City Department of Health following its inspection of this restaurant on November 20, 2008.

Wait, there’s more agony ahead.

The NYC Health Dept also found ‘food item spoiled, adulterated, contaminated or cross-contaminated’ at Surya, located at 302 Bleecker St in DownTown Manhattan.

The NYC Health Dept. inspector wrote that food at Surya is not protected from potential source of contamination during storage, preparation, transportation, display or service. We made this point even before the New York City Health Dept. As we wrote in our review of this restaurant:

There’s another distressing thing we noticed at Surya – People were often entering the restaurant from the Street, lifting up the covers of various dishes on the buffet table, looking at them and walking off. Strangely enough, the restaurant’s staff made no attempt to stop this practice.

After receiving 47 violation points, Surya 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 Surya during the November 20, 2008 inspection:

1.) Non-food contact surface improperly constructed. Unacceptable material used. Non-food contact surface or equipment improperly maintained.
2.) Thawing procedures improper.
3.) Garbage receptacles not provided or inadequate. Garbage storage area not properly constructed or maintained; grinder or compactor dirty.
4.) Facility not vermin proof. Harborage or conditions conducive to vermin exist.
5.) Food not protected from potential source of contamination during storage, preparation, transportation, display or service.
6.) Personal cleanliness inadequate. Clean outer garments, effective hair restraint not worn.
7.) Evidence of mice or live mice present in facility’s food and/or non-food areas.
8.) Evidence of rats or live rats present in facility’s food and/or non-food areas. Continue reading »