Town officials during a recent unannounced inspection of a Forest Street restaurant found two “risk factor” health violations.
The Nov. 12 inspection resulted in citations for a hand-washing sink in the kitchen that was blocked with dishes and for having Brillo pads atop an ice machine, according to a sanitarian’s report.
In a Nov. 13 letter to the owners of Tequila Mockingbird, New Canaan Health Director Jen Eielson said the restaurant had failed its inspection and that if it doesn’t pass re-inspection by Nov. 26 that the town “shall take immediate steps to suspend your permit to operate a food establishment.”
Inspectors use a state Department of Public Health standard, citing eateries for violations that range in seriousness and corresponding weight from one to four points. A “failed” inspection is triggered either by one or more four-point or “risk factor” violations, or a total score of less than 80 points.
Tequila Mockingbird scored a total of 88 points.
Other minor violations cited by the inspector included: Door gasket torn on door of the walk-in refrigerator; rusted shelving inside reach-in refrigerator; and utensils stored between equipment.
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