Kefi, the popular Greek restaurant on Columbus Avenue between 84th and 85th Streets from Chef Michael Psilakis, was shut down by the Health Department on Monday. Kefi is known for its Greek platters and sandwiches. At its last inspection in April, it received an A grade. The Health Department has not yet listed the reasons why the restaurant was closed, but we’ll update this post when we get that information.
Update, Wednesday morning: Here are the reasons for the closure, according to the Health Department, which gave the restaurant 54 violation points. (As of Wednesday afternoon, Kefi had reopened, Gothamist reported, although the bottom floor was closed for a “private party.”)
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) 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.
6) 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.
Update, Tuesday afternoon: We hear from a source that the company failed its reinspection, but we haven’t confirmed it yet. There was still no info up on the Health Department site about the specific problems as of about 1 p.m.
Kefi reached out to the blog Eater, which had linked to our post: A rep said “Following a failed health inspection, incidents reported on Monday night are currently being resolved. Kefi continues to work towards upholding its level of excellence and will reopen for service tomorrow.” Eater also notes that an employee sued Psilakis and his partner earlier this year, charging them with failing to pay minimum wage, among other allegations.
Thanks to our anonymous tipster/photographer.
Oh great. Guess where I went for dinner Saturday night?
Very curious to see what the violations were. (Please have nothing to do with the grilled fish or lamb shank!)
Well, as was once written: “Timeo Danaos et dona ferentes*,” which, sayeth Wikipedia(th), actually means “I fear the Greeks, even those bearing gifts.”
The writer was NOT Germany’s Angela Merkel but that guy Vergil (no last name?)writing in Vergil’s Aeneid (not, as sometimes believed, Yussel’s Aeneid).
Today, of course, that famous line would have to be modified to “I fear the Greek restaurant, even those bearing “A” grades.”
(that’s DONA ferentes, NOT the Donna Ferentes some of us may have known in high school.
Restaurant got a shot for redemption this morning.. failed that too… Will remain close all day today. Who knows tomorrow? This is Horrible!
This place has been going down hill for a while. Used to be a favorite but now they are hard core upselling, and service is way, way off.
Rat’s everywhere. Went to put something in a trash can at 82nd and West End and a rat jumped out. We’ll be know as “Ratside” soon!
No rats @ Symposium 114th St, just East of Broadway, U.S.A. They got cats! Cats eat the rats. Stewart Little in Central Park is thus relieved.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LMAK6hF9vyY
Symposium is one of our favorites! The service is amazing. But I have to say… I will miss that branzino at Kefi…..
The Upper Ratside is only going to get much worse given it looks like that UWS “historic district” is going to pass, which makes it impossible to tear down decrepit, aging, porous run-down buildings (most of which have nothing historic about them) which are the PERFECT home and shelter for rats.
Know where rats CANT make their home? In structurally sound new construction, which will soon be banned. The UWS rat infestation is only going to get worse over the coming years.
Please pass on your rat comment to the Historical District group so they consider this when they pass the bill.
I live in the UWS and the property values are going to go down as young and dynamic residents take their money and run for the suburbs for a cleaner and roomier lifestyle.
The rat issue must be dealt with immediately. We were already rated the dirtiest city in the country, the dog waste is out of control. The city should start shutting down supermarkets and restaurants and giving summons to buildings that do not deal with rodent issues.
On the Kefi issue, how could they have possibly addressed all the violations sited in two days? Sounds impossible. the bathrooms are gross and how do you get rid of rodents in two day?