When a restaurant has so many health violations that it racks up more than 28 total points, it tends to get extra scrutiny from the city Health Department. If a restaurant can’t get its score below 28 on a second inspection (different violations are worth different numbers of points), the city will often close it.
Well, New Kam Lai on 94th Street and Amsterdam Avenue blew right past 28 points in a recent inspection. In fact, on April 18 inspectors recorded more violation points than I’ve ever seen — 165! In a follow-up inspection two days later, inspectors gave it a score of 35 and closed the restaurant down. Here are the violations they recorded in the original inspection:
Sanitary Violations
1) Cold food item held above 41º F (smoked fish and reduced oxygen packaged foods above 38 ºF) except during necessary preparation.
2) Potable water supply inadequate. Water or ice not potable or from unapproved source. Cross connection in potable water supply system observed.
3) Raw food not properly washed prior to serving.
4) Food worker does not wash hands thoroughly after using the toilet, coughing, sneezing, smoking, eating, preparing raw foods or otherwise contaminating hands.
5) Evidence of mice or live mice present in facility’s food and/or non-food areas.
6) 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.
7) No facilities available to wash, rinse and sanitize utensils and/or equipment.
8 ) Food contact surface not properly washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any activity when contamination may have occurred.
9) Facility not vermin proof. Harborage or conditions conducive to attracting vermin to the premises and/or allowing vermin to exist.
Correction: This post originally said incorrectly that the restaurant had 168 violation points.
IVE EATEN THERE A COUPLE TIMES SINCE THEY REOPENED ABOUT A YEAR AGO.LAST TIME I NOTICED THE PLACE HAD BECOME DIRTY LOOKING DIDNT GO ANYMORE EVEN THOUGH IT HAD AN A RATING.I DONT UNDERSTAND HOW RESTAURANTS CAN HAVE AN A GRADE 1 WEEK AND THEN THE WEEK AFTER A GRADE PENDING RATING. IS THE GRAFT OVERFLOWING IN THE HLTH DEPT?????
All Caps and lack of punctuation are hazardous to your health.
Health Department inspections are surprise inspections. You keep your A for a year but if someone calls and complains, they will most likely re-inspect you.
NO…..LIBERAL A-HOLES ARE BAD FOR OUR HEALTH