By Albert Amateau
Village eateries were feeling the fallout last week from the Department of Health’s increase in restaurant inspections and closings in the wake of the rat infestation at the KFC/Taco Bell store on Sixth Ave at W. Third St.
John’s, serving pizza the past 78 years on Bleecker St. near Morton St., was ordered closed the evening of Thurs., March 1, after a city inspector cited a sink too far from where the pizzas are made, improper lids on garbage cans and small holes in the floor.
“God willing, we’ll be able to open later this week,” said Lester Fernandez, one of the managers. “I wasn’t surprised at the inspection, but I didn’t expect to be closed,” he said on March 6, while working on moving the sink and plugging the holes.
Risotteria, at 270 Bleecker St., was also closed at the end of the week after the KFC/Taco Bell rat rampage.
Au Bon Pain on E. Eighth St. at Mercer St. was ordered closed March 2 for hot water temperature below the required level. North Village Delicatessen on Eighth Ave. at W. 14th St. was also shut on March 1. Blue 9 Burger on Third Ave. near E. 12th St. was ordered closed because of an expired Department of Health permit.
Also, on March 8, Coffee Shop, the hip Union Square W. restaurant and bar, closed for renovations after it was shut by D.O.H. for violations, none rodent related. Coffee Shop posted a flier describing the violations, which included a sealed jar of olives on the floor. They are taking the occasion to relacquer the bar top.
