Photo: Patrick McMullan
It’s déjà vu: Fort Greene’s red-velvet standby Cake Man Raven was closed by the Health Department a couple of years ago for using an unpermitted commercial kitchen for some of its cakes (mice droppings were also found), and on Wednesday, it was closed again. The inspection report cites “food from unapproved or unknown source or home canned” and/or “ROP foods prepared on premises transported to another site,” which indicates that proprietor Raven Patrick De’Sean Dennis III is likely once again in trouble for transporting slices from off site (no one is picking up at the store). Add to that, the Cake Man apparently couldn’t produce a food protection certificate or an operating permit. Meanwhile, in Manhattan, Market Table and BLT Steak recently racked up even more demerits than the Cake Man’s 78 (they scored a whopping 94 and 91, respectively), but both remain open for business, with grades still pending. Everyone’s favorite wedding-proposal spot, One if by Land, also rang up a surprising 64 demerits. Full reports below.
Market Table
Violation points: 94
Violations were cited in the following area(s).
Sanitary Violations
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) Food worker does not wash hands thoroughly after using the toilet, coughing, sneezing, smoking, eating, preparing raw foods or otherwise contaminating hands.
4) 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.
5) Evidence of mice or live mice present in facility’s food and/or non-food areas.
6) 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.
7) Personal cleanliness inadequate. Outer garment soiled with possible contaminant. Effective hair restraint not worn in an area where food is prepared.
8) Tobacco use, eating, or drinking from open container in food preparation, food storage or dishwashing area observed.
9) Food not protected from potential source of contamination during storage, preparation, transportation, display or service.
10) Food contact surface not properly washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any activity when contamination may have occurred.
11) Sanitized equipment or utensil, including in-use food dispensing utensil, improperly used or stored.
12) Facility not vermin proof. Harborage or conditions conducive to attracting vermin to the premises and/or allowing vermin to exist.
13) Toilet facility not maintained and provided with toilet paper, waste receptacle and self-closing door.
14) 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.
15) 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.
16) Other general violation.
Cake Man Raven
Violation points: 78
Establishment Closed by DOHMH. Violations were cited in the following area(s) and those requiring immediate action were addressed.
Sanitary Violations
1) Food from unapproved or unknown source or home canned. Reduced oxygen packaged (ROP) fish not frozen before processing; or ROP foods prepared on premises transported to another site.
2) Food Protection Certificate not held by supervisor of food operations.
3) 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.
4) Hand washing facility not provided in or near food preparation area and toilet room. Hot and cold running water at adequate pressure to enable cleanliness of employees not provided at facility. Soap and an acceptable hand-drying device not provided.
5) Facility not vermin proof. Harborage or conditions conducive to attracting vermin to the premises and/or allowing vermin to exist.
6) Proper sanitization not provided for utensil ware washing operation.
Administrative Violations
1) Current valid permit, registration or other authorization to operate establishment not available.
2) “Choking first aid” poster not posted. “Alcohol and pregnancy” warning sign not posted. Resuscitation equipment: exhaled air resuscitation masks (adult & pediatric), latex gloves, sign not posted. Inspection report sign not posted.
BLT Steak
Violations from 10/06/2010 Inspection
Violation points: 91
Violations were cited in the following area(s).
Sanitary Violations
1) Cold food item held above 41º F (smoked fish and reduced oxygen packaged foods above 38 ºF) except during necessary preparation.
2) Food worker does not wash hands thoroughly after using the toilet, coughing, sneezing, smoking, eating, preparing raw foods or otherwise contaminating hands.
3) Raw, cooked or prepared food is adulterated, contaminated, cross-contaminated, or not discarded in accordance with HACCP plan.
4) Evidence of mice or live mice present in facility’s food and/or non-food areas.
5) Live roaches present in facility’s food and/or non-food areas.
6) 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.
7) Refrigeration used to implement HACCP plan not equipped with an electronic system that continuously monitors time and temperature.
8) Personal cleanliness inadequate. Outer garment soiled with possible contaminant. Effective hair restraint not worn in an area where food is prepared.
9) Tobacco use, eating, or drinking from open container in food preparation, food storage or dishwashing area observed.
10) Food not protected from potential source of contamination during storage, preparation, transportation, display or service.
11) Facility not vermin proof. Harborage or conditions conducive to attracting vermin to the premises and/or allowing vermin to exist.
12) 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.
One if by Land Two if By Sea
Violations from 10/05/2010 Inspection
Violations were cited in the following area(s).
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) Hand washing facility not provided in or near food preparation area and toilet room. Hot and cold running water at adequate pressure to enable cleanliness of employees not provided at facility. Soap and an acceptable hand-drying device not provided.
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) Facility not vermin proof. Harborage or conditions conducive to attracting vermin to the premises and/or allowing vermin to exist.
7) 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.
Update: The Local quotes an employee who says pay days have been “shifty” lately, the water was recently turned off, and “our permit wasn’t renewed, our certificates saying we were allowed to handle food were fake.” [NYT/The Local]
