Three Upper West Side restaurants were recently shuttered by the city Department of Health after an invasion of little critters.

Ozen Asian Fusion at Amsterdam and 97th street had roaches and mice, according to an inspector who visited on Monday and shut the place down. Ozen’s critical violations are below:
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) Live roaches present in facility’s food and/or non-food areas.
5) Personal cleanliness inadequate. Outer garment soiled with possible contaminant. Effective hair restraint not worn in an area where food is prepared.
6) Food not protected from potential source of contamination during storage, preparation, transportation, display or service.

Broadway Restaurant, a diner on Broadway between 101st and 102nd street, was also invaded by little critters critters. An inspector also found evidence of mice.
1) Cold food item held above 41º F (smoked fish and reduced oxygen packaged foods above 38 ºF) except during necessary preparation.
2) Evidence of mice or live mice present in facility’s food and/or non-food areas.
3) Live roaches 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) Sanitized equipment or utensil, including in-use food dispensing utensil, improperly used or stored.

PicNic Market & Cafe, a French cafe and restaurant on the same block as Broadway Restaurant, was closed down on Tuesday after an inspector found live roaches. PicNic management said the roaches were in the supply room in the basement, a fact they underlined in a note to customers posted on the door. The restaurant said that the roaches may have been brought on by the heat wave or were contained in the packages that were dropped off at the restaurant (see note below). Hey, at least PicNic embraced the truth and tried to explain it. Most local restaurants will put up a notice saying they’re closed for “renovations,” even when there’s a yellow health department sticker right next to their note.
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) Live roaches 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.

Thanks to our tipster. To read previous health violation news, click here.