Crepes on Columbus, a cafe and creperie at 990 Columbus Avenue between 108th and 109th Streets, was forced to close — twice — by the NYC Department of Health for health violations. The restaurant, popular with Columbia students, racked up 70 points in an inspection on Sept. 1, prompting the city to close it down (28 points is considered the threshold for serious health department scrutiny). Then on Sept. 2, the inspector found flies at the restaurant, and re-closed it.
Check out the full list of violations found in the first inspection below:
1) Cold food item held above 41º F (smoked fish and reduced oxygen packaged foods above 38 ºF) except during necessary preparation.
2) Food Protection Certificate not held by supervisor of food operations.
3) Appropriately scaled metal stem-type thermometer or thermocouple not provided or used to evaluate temperatures of potentially hazardous foods during cooking, cooling, reheating and holding.
4) Insufficient or no refrigerated or hot holding equipment to keep potentially hazardous foods at required temperatures.
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.
7) 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.
8) Proper sanitization not provided for utensil ware washing operation.
For other recent health violation stories, click here.
Image via Google Streetview.
I never know how to really take these situations. It’s concerning, but does this mean after they fix their issues we shouldn’t trust them? That’s where I get stuck.
While I haven’t been to Crepes on Columbus in months, I like it there and I like the food. This concerns me, but it really just makes me cross when I think about if I should go back. What is considered redemption?