Originally Posted by
Blumie
Here's a terrific article from the NYTimes about the challenges chefs, even (or particularly) in NYC's finest restaurants face when trying to prepare dishes they way they believe they ought to be served while also complying with NYC health regulations. My guess (and this is only a guess, but one based on observation of practices in NYC and in Paris) is that the French rules are much more lax. (I personally would prefer my terrine served at room temparature, not chilled, so happily would take my chances in Paris.)
BTW, in the same issue, the Times published
this interactive map of restaurant health inspection grades around the city. I want to reiterate (for those just tuning in) that I'm perfectly comfortable patronizing restaurants that do not get A grades (the wonderful Noodle Pudding, in Brooklyn Heights, for example), while others on this board have decided that they only will patronize restaurants that earn A grades.
Thanks again. Very interesting piece.
Originally Posted by
FlyinHawaiian
The Starbucks in the Rockefeller Center Concourse (6th Ave side) has a "C" rating!!!
This is very disturbing news. I had coffee there the week before your post. But that's all I had. I am going to write Starbucks via their web site and see what they have to respond.
I don't see a way to directly link to the results of a specific restaurant's inspection report since for this one the URL comes up as
http://a816-restaurantinspection.nyc...archDetails.do
Here is what they said:
STARBUCKS COFFEE
30 ROCKEFELLER CENTER PLAZA MANHATTAN 10112
212-397-7950
Violations recorded in the following area (s) and a Notice of Violation issued at the reinspection conducted on 12/27/2011.
"Critical" violations are displayed in red.
Violation points: 28
Sanitary Violations
1) Evidence of mice or live mice present in facility's food and/or non-food areas.
2) Facility not vermin proof. Harborage or conditions conducive to attracting vermin to the premises and/or allowing vermin to exist.
Originally Posted by
Analise
Wow, I've never seen one with a C. The space is tight down there; maybe that's why.
It seems that this might be the only one with a C. From a retail real estate standpoint, this position on the Concourse is a fabulous location for selling. For health standards, however, it's extremely close to the subway which is the Six Flags Great Adventure for rodents. Also, it's one floor below ground and virtually impossible to seal off during the day. I wonder how they will solve these issues.
I just downloaded the free Health Department restaurant inspection iPhone app which I recommend to those concerned with restaurant health standards.
ABC Eats:
Find restaurant grades and detailed inspection reports for each of the City's 24,000 restaurants using the NYC Health Department’s free mobile restaurant inspection app. Check inspection letter grades at restaurants near your current location or search by restaurant name or neighborhood. Information is updated daily, so you’ll have the latest results.
dstan, would you like this news to be in a separate post or incorporate it into another one for visitors?
Originally Posted by
Blumie
The problem with that (and every other) DD is that the coffee sucks. Once a year or so I break down and buy a cup. It usually goes in the garbage after the first sip. (Let's see how long we can keep this going before
dstan breaks this into a separate thread.
)
Agreed. Also, although Howard Schultz is constantly preaching the SBUX "third place" mantra, most Dunkins in my experience won't let you use the bathroom making it a bad place to consume large quantities of a liquid diuretic.
Originally Posted by
Blumie
Just curious: when you buy a car, do you only buy the one with the highest government crash test score? Data are important, but we need to take the time to understand what they mean and shouldn't allow them to control our lives.
I am quite certain every car I have owned since law school has been high up on both the NHTSA and IIHS lists. It's always important, I believe, to also look at the manufacturer and their dealer network for the reputation to maintain your vehicle in a safe condition.
Originally Posted by
Blumie
I think it's obvious the extent to which we assess risk differently. Lots of people are in your camp; lots are in mine. Just very different ways of looking at the world.
Perfectly understandable. There are people who ride motorcycles without helmets. I would not be one of them.