Irish Bars Get Top Grades

The new O’Toole’s Irish bar and the newly reopened Christy’s tavern up Orange Street received A grades from health inspectors. Some other restaurants passed with lower scores, thanks in part to the presence of rodents, while a few establishments are due for renewed inspections after failing.

Those were some of the results of the latest wave of inspections of eating inspections by the city’s health department.

Any score below an 80 is considered a failure, requiring remediation and a return visit within two weeks.

Kudeta on Temple Street had the worst score of the bunch, clocking in at 62/100. Some of its more serious transgressions included lack of hairnets on employees in the kitchen and raw eggs stored near ready-to-eat food and vegetables. A few of the culprits at the acclaimed Barcelona restaurant, which also failed: fruit flies in liquor bottles and water in the bathroom that was way too hot. (Anything over 115 degrees Fahrenheit is considered dangerous; Barcelona’s was 144 degrees the day of inspection.)

None of the failing restaurants had rodents, though, which inspectors did find at both two passing establishments. They immediately scheduled a visit from an exterminator.

The sites below were inspected by New Haven’s Environmental Health Department from Sept. 12 – 23.

Sept. 12

Barcelona Wine Bar, 155 Temple St.
Score: 72/100
Corrections due: in two weeks
•label products not in original container
•don’t line bottom of cooler with towel/fix defective plastic lid on chest freezer
•eliminate water on bottom of cooler
•clean tracks on slide doors/clean gaskets on doors
•fix defective wall tiles, walls, ceilings/clean ceilings/defective ceiling tiles
•keep shellfish tag with product until used and then for 90 days after
•don’t store raw meats with spinach (ready-to-eat foods)
•clean floors under and around equipment/fix defective flooring
•store wipe cloths in sanitary solution
•don’t line shelves with towel/fix defective gaskets on doors/touch up shelves
•touch up exterior of defective equipment (i.e. chest freezer)/clean exterior of equipment
•clean air vents/clean wall board
•need covered trash can in bathroom for hygienic products/touch up stalls
•hang up mops and brooms
•lower hot water in bathroom to between 110 – 115 degrees (144 degrees now)
•invert single service containers
•wipe inside coolers/clean interior of drawer coolers
•add paper towel to hand sinks
•don’t store food product directly on the floor
•wash, rinse, sanitize equipment after use
•fruit flies in liquor bottles/corrected on site

O’Tooles Irish Pub, 157 Orange St.
Score: 97/100
Corrections due: ASAP
•clean floors
•wipe exterior of equipment
•replace one water-stained ceiling tile

Christy’s, 268 Orange St.
Score: 91/100
Corrections due: ASAP
•clean baffel on hood system
•touch up areas on walls and ceilings/wipe wall board panel
•fix defective gaskets on doors
•touch up defective flooring/wipe floor under equipment
•replace missing end cap on 1 exposed bulb
•keep wipe cloths in sanitizing solution
•seal floor/wall junctions
•wipe inside cooler and microwave

Sept. 13

SCSU Catering, 501 Crescent St.
Score: 81/100
Corrections due: 9/27/2011
•missing labels on bottles at salad bar
•cooked sweet potatoes on service line : 110 degrees
•cooked fish in prepared warmer: 90 degrees
•cloth towel under cutting board (salad bar area)
•dirty wiping cloths throughout
•inside reach•in refrigerator at pizza area not clean
•hot water at locker/toilet room
•hand sink at 140 degrees: hazardous over 110 degrees
•missing hand soap dispenser at grille area hand sink
•floors flooded in several prep areas (grease pools by grille area)
•walls in pizza area not clean
•mops, brooms stored on floor
•separation of linens not properly stored
•fruit flies and flies
•outtake area refrigerator missing thermometer
•basement ice machine inside has mold present

Central Steakhouse, 99 Orange St.
Score: 90/100
Corrections due: ASAP
•touch up defective gaskets/clean gaskets on doors
•don’t stack exposed containers of food/don’t store raw meat over ready-to-eat food
•fix defective ceilings and walls/clean air vents
•clean floors under and around equipment/fix defective flooring
•rodents present: exterminator scheduled
•clean interior of cooler
•clean tracks on slide doors

Bentara 76 Orange St.
Score: 81/100
Corrections due: ASAP
•store wipe cloths in sanitizing solution
•water stain ceiling tines/clean wallboard and walls
•invert single service containers
•cover exposed food product
•touch up gaskets on doors/clean gaskets on doors
•touch up defective shelves/clean shelves
•don’t use cup as coop in food product/minimize bare hand contact with ready-to-eat food
•fix defective plastic on beer cooler
•clean interior of cooler and freezer
•secure air vent to ceiling in bathroom
•secure hand sink firmly to wall in bathroom
•lower how water in bathroom to between 110 – 115 degrees Fahrenheit
•refill paper towels at sink
•rodents present: exterminator scheduled
•touch up defective flooring/clean floors under and around equipment

Sept. 14

Broadway Pizza, 185 Derby Ave.
Score: 84/100
Corrections due: ASAP
•if doors are kept open, need screen or rodent control installed
•fix defective flooring/clean floors under and around equipment
•touch up shelves/clean shelves
•clean air vents/fix defective walls/water stain ceiling tiles
•clean can opener
•clean tracks on slide door
•move thermometer to warmest location in cooler
•hang up mops and brooms
•touch up defective gaskets on doors/clean gaskets on doors
•seal floor/wall junctions
•don’t store food or drink on the floor
•don’t use cup as scoop
•label product not in original container
•touch•up exterior of defective equipment/clean exterior of equipment
•fix defective metal on inside of cooler

Olive and Grand Foodmart, 940 Grand Ave.
Score: 88/100
Corrections due: ASAP
•fix defective window pane glass/clean air vents/touch up walls and ceilings
•touch up shelves/clean shelves
•fix defective flooring/clean floors under and around equipment
•need self•closing door in bathroom
•fix defective gaskets on doors/clean gaskets on doors
•clean interior of coolers and freezers/drain condensation water from inside cooler/wipe soda and juice racks in cooler
•clean side tracks on doors/touch up and clean exterior of equipment
•fix defective glass pane on cooler door/don’t line shelves with cardboard
•touch up defective building structure/clean window ledge/fix defective ceiling tiles
•cover exposed food
•fix defective lid on top and chest freezer
•clean wiping cloths
•refill paper towel dispensers

Ziolo’s European Deli LLC at Woz, 835 Grand Ave.
Score: 89/100
Corrections due: ASAP
•fix defective floors/clean floors under and around equipment
•touch up defective walls and ceilings/clean fanblades
•touch up defective gaskets on doors/clean gaskets on doors
•fix defective window pane/water stain ceiling tiles/clean air vents
•hang up mops and brooms
•clean tracks on slide doors/clean interior of coolers
•clean soda and juice racks in coolers
•label product not in original container
•fix defective glass on door/touch up defective shelves/clean shelves
•touch up defective building structure
•don’t line shelf or cooler with cardboard
•touch up exterior of defective equipment/wipe exterior of equipment
•eliminate water pooling around grease trap floor unit

Ay! Arepa #2, 42 Tilton St.
Score: 98/100
Corrections due: ASAP
•keep non•food contact surfaces clean
•clean floors, gaskets on doors

Sept. 15

Elm City College Preparatory School, 794 Dixwell Ave.
Score: 98/100
Corrections due: 2/15/2012
•missing adequate dry storage space

Hyde Leadership School, 306 Circular Ave.
Score: 96/100
Corrections due: 2/15/2012
•leaky pipes under the hand sink
•missing trash can near 3‑bay sink or hand sink
•floor in the kitchen isn’t easily cleanable
•chipped and flaking paint on kitchen ceiling

College Quick Stop
Score: 86/100
Corrections due: ASAP
•clean soda and juice racks in coolers/wipe inside freezer
•fix defective flooring, clean floor under and behind equipment
•touch up walls, clean air vents, clean walls and wall boards
•clean exterior of equipment, clean tracks on sliding doors
•if front door is kept open, provide screen
•don’t line shelves with paper
•need paper towel at hand sink
•don’t use cup as scoop
•label products not in original containers
•don’t store food or drink on the floor
•don’t store raw eggs over ready-to-eat food or drink
•hang up mops and brooms
•seal floor/wall junctures

La Unica, 54 E. Pearl Stret
Score: 97/100
Corrections due: ASAP
•provide name on pass side and address on drive side
•replace broken refrigerator gaskets
•replace pitted/stained cutting boards
•paint of shelve barewood surface

Buffalo Wild Wings, 74•76 Church St.
Score: 80/100
Corrections due: ASAP
•fix defective gaskets on doors, don’t wrap equipment with tinfoil
•store wiping cloths in sanitizer solution
•keep dipper well running with utensils in it
•clean air vents, clean wall board
•hang up mops and brooms
•label products not in original containers
•cover exposed food product, provide light shields on exposed bulbs
•keep doors shut or install screens
•invert single•service containers
•fix defective laminate on equipment
•clean interior of cooler and microwave
•clean floors in walk•in
•no open (uncovered) dry containers in food prep area
•clean tracks on sliding doors
•follow label instructions on product that states ​“refrigerate after opening”: product destroyed on site

Atlas Rest, 21 Temple St.
Score: 80/100
Corrections due: ASAP
•label product not in original containers
•no cardboard as mats
•don’t store food or drink on the floor
•don’t store exposed food product on shelf rack/cover exposed food
•touch up shelves, clean shelves
•fix defective gaskets on doors
•clean gaskets on doors
•hang up mops and brooms
•move thermometer to warmest location in coolers
•keep dipper well on when utensils are stored in it
•clean interior of coolers and freezers
•clean air vent/touch up walls/clean wall board
•clean floors under and behind equipment
•store wiping cloths in sanitizing solution
•don’t store toxic items with food product (corrected on-site)
•touch up defective exterior of equipment
•clean exterior of equipment

Shubert Theater, 247 College St.
Score: 96/100
Corrections due: ASAP
•wipe tracks on sliding doors
•clean gaskets on doors
•clean air vents/clean ceiling tiles
•water stain ceiling tiles
•fix defective walls
•wipe inside refrigeration unit
•defrost inside refrigeration unit
•invert single service plates
•hollow straws not protected
•clean floors under and around equipment
•fix defective flooring
•clean interior of cabinets
•fix defective laminate on equipment

Bella’s Café LLC, 896 Whalley Ave.
Score: 89/100
Corrections due: unspecified

Jack’s Hot Dogs #5, 379 Crown St.
Score: 97/100
Corrections due: ASAP
•properly label original containers
•clean tracks on slide door

Elm City Kettle Corn, 81 Admiral St.,
Score: 94/100
Corrections due: ASAP
•toxic items not properly labeled/stored/used (corrected on-site)
•non•food contact surfaces not properly maintained/kept clean
•clean exterior of equipment and bins

Davenport Deli and Grocery, 200 Davenport Ave.
Score: 65/100
Corrections due: two weeks
•water stain ceiling tiles/fix defective ceiling tiles
•need soap and paper towels at hand sinks
•no drain line into handsinks
•clean tracks on slide doors/clean soda and juice racks in coolers
•label product not in original container
•don’t wrap equipment with tinfoil
•don’t store raw eggs on top of ready-to-eat foods
•fix defective walls/clean wall board
•touch up shelves/clean shelves/touch up exterior of defective equipment/clean exterior of equipment/don’t line shelves with cardboard
•keep front door closed or install screens
•move thermometer to warmest location in coolers
•defective shelves in cooler/don’t line shelves in cooler with cardboard
•don’t store toxic items with food product
•fix defective flooring/clean floors under and around equipment
•rotten fruit and vegetables in cooler (discarded on site)
•follow label instructions as to what products must be kept refrigerated
•store wipe cloths in sanitizing solution

Sept. 16

Kudeta, 27 Temple St.
Score: 62/100
Corrections due: 2 weeks
•need hair restraints
•don’t use plastic cup as scoop in ice or food product
•store wipe cloth in sanitizing solution
•fix defective gaskets on doors/clean gaskets on doors
•wipe inside cooler and freezer
•label product (in English) not in original container
•don’t store food or drink on the floor
•hang up mops and brooms
•don’t store raw eggs with vegetables or ready-to-eat foods
•don’t stack exposed food products on top of each other
•use approved methods to defrost product
•refill soap and paper towel dispensers at hand sink
•need thermometers in warmest location in coolers
•don’t store knives ​“sheath” style/don’t store utensils in stagnant water
•clean wallboard/clean air vents
•preset tables with exposed utensils and glasses
•touch up defective exterior on equipment/clean exterior of equipment
•clean floors under and around equipment
•keep side door closed or install screen
•don’t store items inside hand sink (corrected on site)
•label toxic items properly on spray bottles (corrected on site)

Red Lentil, 25 Temple St.
Score: 74/100
Corrections due: 2 weeks
•hang up mops and brooms
•clean air vents
•clean wall behind stove/touch up defective walls
•fix defective handle on cooler
•fix defective gaskets on doors
•clean gaskets on doors
•clean baffels on hood system
•fix defective sneeze guard
•don’t store food or drink on the floor
•store wiping cloths in sanitizing solution
•no pooling of eggs not for immediate service
•don’t store raw eggs over ready-to-eat foods
•cover exposed food product
•don’t use paper cup as scoop in food
•invert single service containers and cups
•clean interior of coolers
•clean tracks on sliding doors
•preset tables with exposed utensils and glasses
•keep front door closed or install screen
•clean floors under and around equipment
•lower hot water in bathroom in between 110 degrees-115 degrees Fahrenheit, presently 144 degrees
•label product not in original containers
•move thermometer to warmest location in coolers
•refill paper towel at front hand sink
•don’t store toxic items with food product (corrected on-site)

Sage America Bar & Grille, 100 S. Water St.
Score: 83/100
Corrections due: 12/1/2011
•missing thermometers in refrigerator units
•rubber gaskets on reach indoor of coffee station are in disrepair, taped over
•lid of dessert room freezer in disrepair, taped over
•rubber gaskets an issue: worn, moldy, not clean
•missing light shields of bulk food bins by mechanical equipment
•fruit fly infestation throughout
•Tums in food prep area
•squirt bottles of liquid not clean and missing labels on squirt bottles
•paper towels missing in dispenser at prep area
•missing hand soap and paper towels at bar
•jumbled utensils in a bin

Pizza by Romano’s, 152 Ferry St.
Score: 84/100
Corrections due:
•missing thermometers in reach in refrigerators
•hand sink in kitchen not clean, missing paper towels
•container of food in walk-in not on shelves
•inside microwave not clean
•garlic spread uncovered on counter
•rubber gaskets not clean
•hood vents not clean
•missing paper towels
•brooms stored on floor
•flies present
•front door propped open
•worn out rubber gaskets on freezer door
•rubber gaskets on refrigerator doors not clean
•filthy mop bucket water
•dumpster open
•rear yard with various debris
•plastic jugs of oil throughout rather than placed in oil recycler

La Placita Meat Market, 440 Lombard St.
Score: 80/100
Corrections due: 10/1/2011
•inspection based upon complaint of unwholesome meat, destroyed prior to inspection; electrician working on refrigerator/cooler now
•extension corn from hood to refrigerator
•unsealed good on counter under warmer
•questionable thermometer reading 50 degrees
•fried chicken in warmer: 110 degrees
•fried empanadas with meat or cheese: 120 degrees
•squirt bottles missing labels by grille
•cutting board with raw beef used during process of wrapping grapes
•pork rib section frozen, resting on bulk chicken box to thaw
•bag of chicken in 2nd bay without running water
•resting plastic container, cup and tongs and wiping cloths in handwash sink
•dispenser for paper towels at hand sink: empty
•litter around building