Thursday, November 29, 2018

[Updated] The DOH temporarily closes the Málà Project; 'bursting pipe party in basement'



Updated 11/30
The restaurant is back open.

The Málà Project, the well-reviewed restaurant serving Chinese Dry Pot at 122 First Ave. between Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place, is currently closed following a DOH inspection on Monday...



According to public records, the inspection turned up 91 violation points. (Per the DOH, a score of 28 or higher earns a restaurant-cafe a C score.) Among other critical violations, the inspector found "Filth flies or food/refuse/sewage-associated (FRSA) flies present in facility’s food and/or non-food areas."

A rather jaunty sign arrived above the DOH's Yellow Sticker offering the following explanation for the closure...



"We are having a bursting pipe party in the basement and will remain closed till further notice."

The Málà Project opened in December 2015 and recently added an outpost in Bryant Park.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Violation points: 91
Sanitary Violations
1) Hot food item not held at or above 140º F.
2) Cold food item held above 41º F (smoked fish and reduced oxygen packaged foods above 38 ºF) except during necessary preparation.
3) Evidence of mice or live mice present in facility's food and/or non-food areas.
4) Filth flies or food/refuse/sewage-associated (FRSA) flies present in facility’s food and/or non-food areas. Filth flies include house flies, little house flies, blow flies, bottle flies and flesh flies. Food/refuse/sewage-associated flies include fruit flies, drain flies and Phorid flies.
5) Sewage disposal system improper or unapproved.
6) Food not protected from potential source of contamination during storage, preparation, transportation, display or service.
7) Facility not vermin proof. Harborage or conditions conducive to attracting vermin to the premises and/or allowing vermin to exist.
8) Pesticide use not in accordance with label or applicable laws. Prohibited chemical used/stored. Open bait station used.
9) 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.
10) 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.
11) Single service item reused, improperly stored, dispensed; not used when required.

Anonymous said...

WOW...Even the Burst Pipe Party sounds UNAPPETIZING.

sophocles said...

I am not a fan of improper pesticide use. I thought they were careful operators as the food is so good. I will now think twice about returning.

Their backyard extension is in my opinion illegal because it covers the required 30-foot backyard that is supposed to be there for the tenants.