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PICCOLO CAFE

313 AMSTERDAM AVENUE, Manhattan, NY 10023 · Restaurant (Italian)

Inspection summary

PICCOLO CAFE has been inspected 10 times by NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) since July 26, 2017. The most recent inspection, on January 24, 2020, recorded 2 infractions.

2 of 10 inspections on record found no infractions at all. No inspections are on record from the past 12 months. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Pests, Cleaning and sanitizing and Protecting food from contamination.

The number of infractions per inspection has stayed roughly the same over time.

What these findings mean

Health authorities word their violations differently, so we group them by what they mean for food safety. Higher-risk findings are the ones inspectors treat as critical, because they can directly make someone sick.

  • PestsHigher risk

    Signs of mice, rats, cockroaches or flies, or gaps and clutter that let them get in or hide. Pests carry bacteria and can contaminate food and surfaces, so evidence of activity is treated seriously and usually triggers a follow-up visit.

    Recorded 9 times across 4 separate inspections, most recently on November 15, 2019. For example: Evidence of mice or live mice present in facility's food and/or non-food areas.

  • Cleaning and sanitizingHigher risk

    Anything that touches food, such as cutting boards, dishes and utensils, must be washed, rinsed and sanitized. Inspectors check dishwasher temperatures, sanitizer strength and how wiping cloths are stored. Poor sanitizing lets bacteria survive from one use to the next.

    Recorded 4 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on May 17, 2018. For example: Sanitized equipment or utensil, including in-use food dispensing utensil, improperly used or stored.

  • Protecting food from contaminationHigher risk

    This covers how food is stored, prepared and displayed: raw meat kept away from ready-to-eat food, food covered and stored off the floor, and nothing dripping or splashing into it. Cross-contamination from raw to cooked food is a direct route for salmonella and E. coli.

    Recorded 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on January 24, 2020. For example: Food not protected from potential source of contamination during storage, preparation, transportation, display or service.

  • Food temperature controlHigher risk

    Bacteria multiply fastest between about 4 °C and 60 °C (40 °F to 140 °F). Inspectors check that cold food stays cold, hot food stays hot, cooked food is cooled quickly, and that staff have accurate thermometers. Temperature problems are one of the most common causes of food poisoning, so these are treated as critical findings.

    Recorded 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on October 13, 2017. For example: Food not cooled by an approved method whereby the internal product temperature is reduced from 140º F to 70º F or less within 2 hours, and from 70º F to 41º F or less within 4 additional hours.

  • Food source, labelling and allergensHigher risk

    Food must come from approved suppliers, stay in labelled containers and be thrown out when it is spoiled or damaged, such as dented or swollen cans. Labelling matters for allergies: an unlabelled container can hide an allergen.

    Recorded once on November 15, 2019. For example: Canned food product observed dented and not segregated from other consumable food items.

About this data

These results come from NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH), which inspects food premises and other public facilities in this area. We republish the authority's public disclosure data and refresh it regularly; the official record is the final word.

10 inspections

  1. Cycle Inspection / Re-inspection

    2 infractions

    • 06C: Food not protected from potential source of contamination during storage, preparation, transportation, display or service.
      • Critical
    • 02G: Cold food item held above 41º F (smoked fish and reduced oxygen packaged foods above 38 ºF) except during necessary preparation.
      • Critical
  2. Cycle Inspection / Initial Inspection

    5 infractions

    • 04L: Evidence of mice or live mice present in facility's food and/or non-food areas.
      • Critical
    • 04H: Raw, cooked or prepared food is adulterated, contaminated, cross-contaminated, or not discarded in accordance with HACCP plan.
      • Critical
    • 09A: Canned food product observed dented and not segregated from other consumable food items.
      • Not Critical
    • 08A: Facility not vermin proof. Harborage or conditions conducive to attracting vermin to the premises and/or allowing vermin to exist.
      • Not Critical
    • 05D: 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.
      • Critical
  3. Cycle Inspection / Initial Inspection

    0 infractions

  4. Cycle Inspection / Re-inspection

    4 infractions

    • 10F: 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.
      • Not Critical
    • 10B: 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.
      • Not Critical
    • 06E: Sanitized equipment or utensil, including in-use food dispensing utensil, improperly used or stored.
      • Critical
    • 10A: Toilet facility not maintained and provided with toilet paper, waste receptacle and self-closing door.
      • Not Critical
  5. Cycle Inspection / Initial Inspection

    4 infractions

    • 08A: Facility not vermin proof. Harborage or conditions conducive to attracting vermin to the premises and/or allowing vermin to exist.
      • Not Critical
    • 10F: 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.
      • Not Critical
    • 04L: Evidence of mice or live mice present in facility's food and/or non-food areas.
      • Critical
    • 06D: Food contact surface not properly washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any activity when contamination may have occurred.
      • Critical
  6. Administrative Miscellaneous / Compliance Inspection

    1 infraction

    • 20F: Current letter grade sign not posted.
      • Not Critical
  7. Administrative Miscellaneous / Re-inspection

    1 infraction

    • 20F: Current letter grade sign not posted.
      • Not Critical
  8. Administrative Miscellaneous / Initial Inspection

    0 infractions

  9. Cycle Inspection / Re-inspection

    6 infractions

    • 04L: Evidence of mice or live mice present in facility's food and/or non-food areas.
      • Critical
    • 02G: Cold food item held above 41º F (smoked fish and reduced oxygen packaged foods above 38 ºF) except during necessary preparation.
      • Critical
    • 02H: Food not cooled by an approved method whereby the internal product temperature is reduced from 140º F to 70º F or less within 2 hours, and from 70º F to 41º F or less within 4 additional hours.
      • Critical
    • 08A: Facility not vermin proof. Harborage or conditions conducive to attracting vermin to the premises and/or allowing vermin to exist.
      • Not Critical
    • 06D: Food contact surface not properly washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any activity when contamination may have occurred.
      • Critical
    • 10H: Proper sanitization not provided for utensil ware washing operation.
      • Not Critical
  10. Cycle Inspection / Initial Inspection

    6 infractions

    • 04L: Evidence of mice or live mice present in facility's food and/or non-food areas.
      • Critical
    • 02G: Cold food item held above 41º F (smoked fish and reduced oxygen packaged foods above 38 ºF) except during necessary preparation.
      • Critical
    • 10B: 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.
      • Not Critical
    • 08A: Facility not vermin proof. Harborage or conditions conducive to attracting vermin to the premises and/or allowing vermin to exist.
      • Not Critical
    • 02H: Food not cooled by an approved method whereby the internal product temperature is reduced from 140º F to 70º F or less within 2 hours, and from 70º F to 41º F or less within 4 additional hours.
      • Critical
    • 04N: 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.
      • Critical

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