Restaurant Inspections: Red Mango, Rosie, Roger Sherman Inn, Pinnochio Pizza, Plum Tree

Inspectors from the New Canaan Health Department regularly visit food service establishments in town to make sure they’re up to state standards in areas such as water supply, food sources, plumbing and vermin control.

It’s rare that any restaurant passes inspection with zero demerits issued, and health officials told Patch recently, the department sees itself through its inspections and follow-up work as assisting local businesses in food service and other areas.

To fail an inspection, which would trigger follow-up by the health department (see “excellent improvements made” in one note below), a food service establishment either must be cited for a so-called “4-point demerit” (full list of what those are is available here) or must receive more than 20 demerits overall (out of a possible 100).  

What follows is information from the most recent inspection report available at the health department for a number of randomly selected food service establishments in New Canaan. Information includes business name as well as total score (that is, 100 minus the total demerits issued) and notes from the inspector. Patch will run this information on a regular basis for readers.

Business Score (out of a possible 100) Inspection Date Remarks noted by the health inspector Pinocchio Pizza 88 28-Jan Label sauces throughout ref unit; container of sauce stored in small bin of sausage—separate; shell eggs stored above RTE items in tall white RI; Remove food items from floor in walk-in (corner); sm cup stored in bulk bins in basement; noncommercial freezer in basement; clean & sanitize bulk bins in basement; hang maps to dry above map sink on hangers face down after each use; replace light in walk-in; replace gaskets (cracked) on tall white reach-in; clean shelving near hand wash sink. Plum Tree 77 28-Feb Label liquid & granular items - sushi prep & kitchen; consumer advisory on menu inadequate - provide *next to statement & next to menu items that can be cooked to order or undercooked; (7) eggs stored abov raw veg in walk-in -- store eggs on bottom shelf; remove food items from floor in walk-in; cover food items - RI freeze & ice cream freezer; remove dispensing utensils from stagnant water in kitchen; (11) miracle grow plant food & raid stored in sushi prep on shelving - remove & store separately with chemicals; rusted shelving in walk-in; chipped shelving at sushi bar area & waitstaff area; remove cardboard on shelving at dry storage area, non-commercial equipment in use (toaster oven & standalone burner) - remove; invert containers at sushi bar, wrap straws (lg green) at waitstaff area or ind. dispense; clean soiled containers at dray storage area; jumbled utensils in storage container - kitchen area; rusted floor in walk-in; replace cracked & missing coving throughout kitchen; past due on hood cleaning 2/12; remova all unused/broken equipment throughout; remove crates from WI freezer unit, store items on drainage racs or shelving; remplace ceiling tiles in itchen & waitstaff area; hang hamps head down at mop sink, provide designated alternate - will email form.  Red Mango 92 10-Jan Replace light cover in walk-in in refrigerator; replace rubber spatula at 3-bay sink; hot water below 90 degrees at HWS - front prep area - will fix & call HD for recheck ASAP; fix restroom door to close completely (self-close); hang map after each use. Roger Sherman Inn 85 10/19/12 Label liquid & granular items throughout kitchen; beef stored above raw vegetables in RI refrigerator (across grill) - stored raw meat on bottom shelf; remove food & bar items stored on floor (in crates and boxes) at bar - store off floor on shelving or drainage racks; scoops/cup stored submerged in bulk bins (pastry prep); dispensing utensils stored in stagnant water (pastry & kitchen) keep at 140 degrees if left in water; wood cutting boards in kitchen/ bar porous not cleanable; replace broken door gaskets throughout 3-door refrigeration unit; hollow sip stirrers at bar should be indivdually wrapped or dispensed; clean interior of ice machine (left) and interior bottom of pastry freezer, interior of microwave oven, can opener blade; clean shelving in walk-in (back near fan); cover nuts in basement storage area; unfinished wood shelving - basement dry storage area; will need to provide a mop sink w hangersby next year Rosie 81 27-Feb Label liquid and granular items throughout; provide light covers - lights throughout basement area dry storage; remove food from floor in walk-in, crates used in walk-in; provide drainage racks or additional shelving; utensils stored in stagnant water - front service area (remove); can opener blade rusted (replace); replace door gaskets - RI (front service area) near grill; remove cardboard from shelving in basement - porous and attract insects; basket of forks jumbled (front service area); Quat sanitizer at 3-bay 50-100 ppm, too low should be 200 ppm; leak from ceiling in hallway - basement; leak from piping in basement from warewash area - will need to fix/service; seal sink to wall in restroom, foor in need of repair; floor in disrepair throughout - needs replacing; provide coving where missing in kitchen; repair celing in basement dry storage area; provide light for hallway-basement; lacking mop sink - to be done with remodel; clothing hanging in dry storage area - provide employee lockers/remodel; basement partially cleaned and organized - metro shelving to be added in future. Will need to remove all unnecessary items and finish organizing.