The New York City Health Department shuttered new restaurant Flame on 82nd street just off of Columbus Avenue while the hibachi spot was still preparing to open, according to Kate Hinds, who sent in the photo above. Readers have told us they were able to get take-out food from Flame, but it hadn’t begun serving meals inside. Flame is a spinoff from Fusha, which was previously on 75th and Amsterdam.
At a liquor license hearing last June, the restaurant’s rep said “they will retain the Fusha chefs and much of the Fusha menu – that’s everything from dragon rolls to guacamole with wasabi chips – and will add several additional chefs to perform at the 5 hibachi tables, which will offer the classic pork, shrimp, and beef.”
Flame was also cited by the health department because the inspector said they “mutilated, obstructed, or removed” a Department of Health notice. The restaurant, which is in the former home of Ditch Plains, has been preparing to open for months. We last wrote about it here.
The violations are below:
1) Evidence of mice or live mice present in facility’s food and/or non-food areas.
2) Facility not vermin proof. Harborage or conditions conducive to attracting vermin to the premises and/or allowing vermin to exist.
3) 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.
This was already perfectly set up as a restaurant so why has all this construction been necessary to open up another restaurant?
Not exactly inviting!