West Side Rag
  • TOP NEWS
  • OPEN/CLOSED
  • FOOD
  • SCHOOLS
  • OUTDOORS
  • REAL ESTATE
  • ART & CULTURE
  • POLITICS
  • COLUMNS
  • CRIME
  • HISTORY
  • ABSURDITY
  • CONTACT
West Side Rag
No Result
View All Result
Get WSR FREE in your inbox

Search the site

No Result
View All Result

Get WSR FREE in your inbox

AVAILABLE NOW!


HERE

ADORABLE LE PAIN QUOTIDIEN CAFE SHUTTERED BY HEALTH DEPARTMENT FOR VARIOUS VIOLATIONS

May 4, 2017 | 10:31 PM - Updated on May 5, 2017 | 12:11 AM
in FOOD, NEWS
39

The cute little Le Pain Quotidien cafe outside the 72nd Street subway station in Verdi Square has not been following health rules, according to an inspector who shut the place down this week. The inspector cited a mouse problem and an improper or unapproved sewage disposal system, among other violations (listed in full below).

A sign on the door announced they were closed for “renovations”, but another yellow sign made it clear that the place had been shuttered by the Health Department. Thanks to Peggy Taylor for the photos.

The cafe garnered 79 points worth of violations.

Violation points: 79
Sanitary Violations
1) Raw, cooked or prepared food is adulterated, contaminated, cross-contaminated, or not discarded in accordance with HACCP plan.
2) Evidence of mice or live mice present in facility’s food and/or non-food areas.
3) Sewage disposal system improper or unapproved.
4) Toilet facility not provided for employees or for patrons when required.
5) Food not protected from potential source of contamination during storage, preparation, transportation, display or service.
6) Facility not vermin proof. Harborage or conditions conducive to attracting vermin to the premises and/or allowing vermin to exist.
Share this article:
Get WSR FREE in your inbox
Subscribe
Notify of
guest

guest

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

39 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
West88
West88
6 years ago

“Not Vermin Proof” – have you been to Verdi Square??? The shrubbery is an infestation of rats! Here’s a game, kick a garbage can anytime of night and see the flurry of rats run out. Anyone who thinks setting up a food anything in that vicinity is without being closed by the health department should be given a medal.

0
Reply
RF
RF
6 years ago
Reply to  West88

Yep. My most disgusting “only in NYC” story involves tripping over a massive dead rat in Verdi Square (at 9:00 in the morning, no less) and having it get caught in my sandal! That was years ago and I still pay close attention to the pavement when walking through that area. I can’t imagine that there is any way to keep a food kiosk in Verdi Square free of vermin.

0
Reply
frank
frank
6 years ago
Reply to  West88

lot of homeless loiter in the area also….some days the area reeks of filth,other days it just reeks

0
Reply
Christine E
Christine E
6 years ago

How does any kiosk provide #4 toilet? This is a converted newstand, more like a food cart than a restaurant. None of the food kiosks in Bryant Park, elsewhere have bathrooms inside. It’s a tiny space! (Though apparently big enough for mice.)

0
Reply
anon
anon
6 years ago

“Toilet facility not provided for employees or for patrons when required.”

That doesn’t seem like something that can be fixed.

0
Reply
Catherine
Catherine
6 years ago
Reply to  anon

The Department of Health doesn’t care if what they cite makes any sense. This will cost the company thousands of dollars to cure – probably better to just take it away.

0
Reply
ron shapley
ron shapley
6 years ago

Eh Gods !! I’m getting sick just reading about the violations……

0
Reply
Pedestrian
Pedestrian
6 years ago

It doesn’t surprise me. I was surprised they lasted as long as they did.

0
Reply
Ellen
Ellen
6 years ago

Food kiosks in Bryant Park may not need to individually provide toilet facility as NYC and/or Bryant Park consortium renovated and has attendants constant when Park is open. These are the classical (marble) toilets located on the 42st side just south of the NYPL western facade. Verdi Park would need some connection to similar facilities, or create within the park.

0
Reply
Peter Salwen
Peter Salwen
6 years ago

I’m sorry, but what does the health department expect the cafe management to do about item 2? Fumigate the park?

0
Reply
Susan Kagan
Susan Kagan
6 years ago

Disgraceful that a restaurant would jeopardize the health of its patrons. Thank you for publishing this alert.

0
Reply
Cat
Cat
6 years ago
Reply to  Susan Kagan

First, it’s not a restaurant, and second, the proprietors didn’t personally bring in the rats. I don’t understand the sewage violations if there is no bathroom. Exactly what is that referring to?

0
Reply
Lisa A.
Lisa A.
6 years ago

Why is the LPQ stand being treated like a restaurant instead of like a cart or food truck? Christine E is right. There are a bunch of these around the city. Are they in violation too?
Of course the mice and vermin are a bit of a deal breaker, but at least those violations are appropriate to the venue. Clean it up LPQ! That little stand is so cute.

0
Reply
Mary
Mary
6 years ago

The park isn’t for yuppie cafe customers, it was foolish to think a Le Pain Quotidien would change the nature of the city and needle park itself. Let the people on the street dictate the culture outside and not the business interests. The book stands across the street and the park next to it always made for a nice break from the encroaching gentrification surrounding. A health code violation seems only fitting

0
Reply
Cat
Cat
6 years ago
Reply to  Mary

So you’re ok with the filthy book stands and people who run them laying on the sidewalk eating food from food carts, but you’re against what you consider to be a ‘yuppie,’ influence?

0
Reply
jhminnyc
jhminnyc
6 years ago

I hope they can work this out. Unlike so much in the city, this kiosk shows someone tried to create a spot that looks great and adds an air of civility to the neighborhood. I hate seeing it shuttered. If anything, the city and community should make an effort to see it thrives.

0
Reply
Maggie
Maggie
6 years ago
Reply to  jhminnyc

Agree! I hope they find a way to keep it!

0
Reply
Sandra Arnold
Sandra Arnold
6 years ago

It was so disgusting last year including the the various smells…it should be closed down! Good job Health Department.

0
Reply
Robert Craig
Robert Craig
6 years ago

As commenters have pointed out the OBVIOUS nature of a food kiosk, why would the city allow this in the first place? They owe this business damages and compensation for wasted money for letting them get established when they knew there was NO WAY to be compliant with rules written for enclosed sit-down restaurants.

0
Reply
Catherine
Catherine
6 years ago

I am glad I never stopped there – they have real problems.

0
Reply
Judy
Judy
6 years ago

The chain is Belgian.

0
Reply
Steve
Steve
6 years ago

Certainly not the City’s fault that there were so many violations. A better question is why didn’t management at LPQ see these and proactively take steps to correct?

This is not a mom and pop chain so one must question why this occurred and was not taken care of prior to the Health Department closure.

0
Reply
anon
anon
6 years ago
Reply to  Steve

I would ask why they were ever allowed to open of a bathroom is required and they didn’t have one. Are there health department inspections required to get the initial permit to operate?

0
Reply
your neighbor
your neighbor
6 years ago
Reply to  anon

I believe the city requires a bathroom for food establishments with over 18(16?) seats. they seem to have 3 movable tables with 6 seats each and fixed seating (table with attached stools) for about 10 more.

Fairly simple to change to get out of that violation.

0
Reply
Bob
Bob
6 years ago

Why does the parks dept insist on planting shrubbery and ivy in these areas, and instead just plant plain grass that aren’t hiding grounds for rats. This would be similar to the park at 63th street and Broadway (Dante Park – fully grassed) in which one actually feels like it’s safe to be in it. You could even keep it fenced, as it currently is, but at least you could see what is going on here. I would also do the same thing to the skanky verdant area which bounds Broadway and the uptown exit to the station.

0
Reply
nycityny
nycityny
6 years ago

There are so many food establishments literally across the street from the park that this kiosk seems unnecessary. Cafe 71, Gigi’s, Tasty Cafe, Aroma, Starbucks, McDonald’s, Pinkberry and Paris Baguette are just some of the places that can fill the “void” (and avoid the vermin and bathroom problems inherent in the park).

0
Reply
Christina
Christina
6 years ago

They are a kiosk!!! Of course they are going to have a vermin problem! They are open to the elements SOOOOO much more than a enclosed establishment! hey are also right by subway station! What do you think would happen?! It’s the location and that it’s a kiosk that’s the problem. The person or persons who opened such a venue should know the risks but NOt their fault otherwise!

0
Reply
Priscilla
Priscilla
6 years ago

I’ve repeatedly reported the rat holes to 311, with photos of the burrow entrances. They keep closing the incident saying an inspector went out and couldn’t find the holes. I sent pictures for goodness sake. I don’t they even visited Verdi Square before closing the incidents. Grr.

0
Reply
B.B.
B.B.
6 years ago
Reply to  Priscilla

From the NYC “rat map” Verdi park is noted as of 25 April as having “active rat sightings”, so someone did take notice.

Verdi park is 2098 Broadway in case you wanted to look it up.

https://maps.nyc.gov/doitt/nycitymap/template/?applicationName=DOH_RIP

0
Reply
B.B.
B.B.
6 years ago

Have said before, if you knew how many places that sell food are infested with vermin, you’d never buy anything in NYC again.

Walked pass a Walgreen’s the other night and workers were throwing away several bags of candy (M&M’s (peanut), Kit Kats, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, etc..). Joked with one of the guys that “the dumpster divers will be very happy tonight”. He replied they shouldn’t because the stuff was being discarded due to vermin (mice).

Sure enough the young man opened one bag and showed us a packet where mice had been munching.

A few days later looked up the location on Internet and both via Yelp reviews and DOH website that Walgreens has been cited for evidence of and or outright sight of vermin (mice).

Getting back to LPDQ, their location on Amsterdam Avenue has had vermin issues in past. https://openhealthscores.com/us/ny/nyc/le-pain-quotidien/41088838

Ditto for the Broadway in GV store as well: https://www.nychealthratings.com/nycrestapp/restaurantlanding/1/Greenwich%20Village/7849

New York City has put quite a lot of effort and money into a pretty good DOH website that allows online searches. Pick any restaurant or place that sells/serves food on UWS (or anywhere else in the city)and if you go back far enough you’ll find often at least one citing for vermin.

https://www.nychealthratings.com/nycrestapp/browse/1/Upper%20West%20Side

0
Reply
West Sider
Author
West Sider
6 years ago
Reply to  B.B.

This is the city site: https://a816-restaurantinspection.nyc.gov/RestaurantInspection/SearchBrowse.do
The one you linked appears to be a private site that uses the city data.
WSR

0
Reply
Maddie
Maddie
6 years ago

Yes, adorable cafe that is completely unhygienic.

0
Reply
Gretchen
Gretchen
6 years ago

So why doesn’t the damn city ever do something about the rats in Verdi Sq. in the first place — who have staked out this “park” for eons? And if they’re gonna pick on LPQ, why don’t they go as fervently after all those filthy food vendors — I’m guessing they ain’t vermin proof either, not to mention their storage facilities are vermin hotels. Moreover, these filthy food trucks simply attract more vermin and waste precious sidewalk space, among other things.

0
Reply
B.B.
B.B.
6 years ago
Reply to  Gretchen

Have never seen rodents near any food truck or fruit vendor on city street/property.

As for Verdi park the only way to “get rid” of the rats (or mice) likely would mean removing all plants/grass, and paving over the entire thing with concrete.

0
Reply
Ted
Ted
6 years ago

Needle Park is going to need more than a ramshackle coffee kiosk to class it up. The catalog of filth in there could fill a library. Call it what you will it’s still the dump it always was.

0
Reply
Sean
Sean
6 years ago
Reply to  Ted

Needle Park was south of here over 45 years ago.

0
Reply
Ted
Ted
6 years ago
Reply to  Sean

Actually Needle Park was a term that encompassed both Verdi Square and Sherman Square. And yes Verdi Square is still pretty squalid on most days.

0
Reply
Sean
Sean
6 years ago
Reply to  Ted

FYI: what was once Needle Park is south of the older subway building. This structure is in
Verdi Square.

0
Reply
B.B.
B.B.
6 years ago

There have been complaints about vermin in Verdi park going back to the 1980’s if not before. Things got worse IIRC when the MTA extended the 72nd Street subway station beneath.

That being said a large reason the rats are in the place is same as elsewhere in NYC; human behavior. Long as there is a source of food, rats will come.

If people would stop throwing their rubbish on ground including left over food, stop “feeding” the pigeons and other birds the rodent population nature would moderate the problem.

Rats being burrowing creatures between the subway, sewer and other vast systems underground, and the “parks” or green spaces above it is rat heaven.

Sadly we are never going to rid Manhattan of rats or mice. That war was lost especially when the city banned buildings from burning trash, then piled on by allowing garbage to be put on street in plastic bags.

If NYC was really serious about addressing the rodent problem in Manhattan at least, it would go back to mandating commercial and residential trash be placed in metal or heavy plastic containers with tight fitting lids.

This won’t happen because from DSNY on down to many have a gripe with trash cans, especially the metal variety.

0
Reply

YOU MIGHT LIKE...

Alive at Clive’s: See Inside the Record Mogul’s UWS Condo on the Market for $6.3 Million
NEWS

Alive at Clive’s: See Inside the Record Mogul’s UWS Condo on the Market for $6.3 Million

September 27, 2023 | 10:40 AM
NYPD Seizes Mopeds, Bikes Illegally Chained Near Stratford Arms Hotel; Woman Arrested
CRIME

Another Elderly UWS Person Scammed Out of $9.5K by Bail Money Con: Police

September 27, 2023 | 9:01 AM
Previous Post

POLICE ASK FOR HELP FINDING MAN WHO UNLAWFULLY TOUCHED WOMAN ON THE C TRAIN

Next Post

FREE ‘JANE’S WALK’ TOURS FRIDAY-SUNDAY, INCLUDING ‘A WILD WOMAN’S WALK ON THE UPPER WEST SIDE’

this week's events image

Explore Your Favorite Subject

20th precinct 24th precinct american museum of natural history animals art bicycling bulletin central park closings columns community board 7 coronavirus crash crime dogs events fdny fire food gale brewer helen rosenthal history homelessness jcc lincoln center monday bulletin morning bulletin nypd openings openings and closings pedestrian safety photography photos politics public schools pupper west side real estate restaurants riverside park silver stars fitness snow sponsored subway upper west side uws

CITY NEWS

The City
Brick Underground
City Limits
Eater
Gothamist
NY Daily News
NY Post
NY Times

LOCAL RESOURCES

Bloomingdale Neighborhood History Group
Central Park Conservancy
CB7
Community Education Council 3
Assembly District 67
The New York Historical Society
Riverside Park
West End Preservation

UWS Blogs

Bloomingdale History Central Park Blogger
North River Notes
Next Post
FREE ‘JANE’S WALK’ TOURS FRIDAY-SUNDAY, INCLUDING ‘A WILD WOMAN’S WALK ON THE UPPER WEST SIDE’

FREE 'JANE'S WALK' TOURS FRIDAY-SUNDAY, INCLUDING 'A WILD WOMAN'S WALK ON THE UPPER WEST SIDE'

SCHOOL BUS CRASHES INTO BUILDING ON 86TH; NO ONE REPORTED INJURED

SCHOOL BUS CRASHES INTO BUILDING ON 86TH; NO ONE REPORTED INJURED

WEEKEND COLUMN: THE JOYS OF FILMING A SHOESTRING-BUDGET TV SHOW ON THE UWS

WEEKEND COLUMN: THE JOYS OF FILMING A SHOESTRING-BUDGET TV SHOW ON THE UWS

  • ABOUT US
  • CONTACT US
  • NEWSLETTER
  • WSR MERCH!
  • ADVERTISE
  • EVENTS
  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • TERMS OF USE
  • SITE MAP
Site design by RLDGROUP

© 2023 West Side Rag | All rights reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • TOP NEWS
  • THIS WEEK’S EVENTS
  • OPEN/CLOSED
  • FOOD
  • SCHOOLS
  • OUTDOORS
  • REAL ESTATE
  • ART & CULTURE
  • POLITICS
  • COLUMNS
  • CRIME
  • HISTORY
  • ABSURDITY
  • CONTACT US
  • WSR SHOP

© 2023 West Side Rag | All rights reserved.