La Viena Italian Restaurant and Lounge

Food items in the coolers (stand-up and walk-in) were found not adequately covered. The inspector informed the staff that all food items must be covered to prevent cross-contamination of the food during storage. Please ensure to cover all food items.

The operator placed refrigerated meatball sauce directly into the hot holding unit without adequately reheating it., , Ensure that high-risk foods are reheated to at least 74C prior to hot holding at 60C. Utilize a probe thermometer to verify the temperature. , , Hot holding unit must not be used to reheat food.

There were frozen sausages thawing at room temperature., , Do not thaw high-risk food items at room temperature. Ensure thawing is done;, 1. Under refrigeration., 2. Under cool running water., 3. By microwave.

There was a gap on the backdoor. This would allow the potential entry of pests and vermin into the facility. The inspector informed the operator that all openings to the outside, including doors and windows, must be tight-fitting to prevent potential pest infestation., **FIX THE GAP ON THE BACKDOOR., , May 15, 2025: Violation Ongoing

The two stand-up coolers had rust accumulation on its shelves. The inspector informed the operator that the rust must be removed. Please repair the coolers, as discussed.

The floor located at the dishwashing area was not smooth, and easily cleanable. The inspector informed the staff/operator that the floor, as described, must remain smooth and easily cleanable, especially since it is a water-prone area. Please fix the floor, as indicated., **FIX THE FLOOR.

The washroom door was not equipped with a self-closing system. Kitchen utensils were stored outside the washroom. The inspector informed the staff/operator that washrooms in the facility must be tight fitting and equipped with a self-closing door., **EQUIP THE WASHROOM WITH A SELF-CLOSING DOOR., , May 15, 2025: Violation Ongoing.

The clean-in-place equipment in the kitchen, being the stand-up mixer, was noted as dirty during the inspection. The inspector informed the staff/operator that all equipment/utensils/tools in the kitchen must be kept clean and sanitary after use. Please clean the kitchen equipment., , May 15, 2025: Violation Ongoing

There was significant clutter throughout the facility of equipment, tools, and dishes., , Remove unnecessary items to facilitate proper cleaning.

The facility required general cleaning and sanitation. Several areas of the facility were noted as dirty, dusty, and/or greasy. The inspector informed the operator that all areas of the facility must be maintained in a clean and sanitary condition. The following areas must be cleaned:, - The floor underneath the grill, - The floor underneath the refrigeration units/coolers, - The floor underneath the dishwashing area and sinks, **PLEASE CLEAN THE AFOREMENTIONED AREAS., , May 15, 2025: Violation Ongoing

There were cleaning cloths stored on food-contact surfaces. The inspector informed the staff/operator that cleaning cloths must be fully submerged in a sanitizer bucket solution at all times after use. The cleaning cloths were stored in a sanitizer bucket solution afterwards.

Food items in the coolers (stand-up and walk-in) were found not adequately covered. The inspector informed the staff that all food items must be covered to prevent cross-contamination of the food during storage. Please ensure to cover all food items.

The handwashing station was blocked during the inspection with kitchen utensils, equipment, and/or dishes. The inspector informed the staff/operator that the handwashing station must be free and readily available for handwashing at all times. The utensils, equipment, and/or dishes were removed during the inspection.

There were test strips available for the chlorine sanitizer solution. However, the test strips were expired. The inspector informed the staff/operator to obtain valid test strips. Please ensure to monitor all your testing equipment and obtain valid ones when expired., **OBTAIN VALID TEST STRIPS.

There was a gap on the backdoor. This would allow the potential entry of pests and vermin into the facility. The inspector informed the operator that all openings to the outside, including doors and windows, must be tight-fitting to prevent potential pest infestation., **FIX THE GAP ON THE BACKDOOR.

The two stand-up coolers had no light and was dark. The inspector informed the operator that the light of the coolers must be replaced to ensure visibility of food and the unit. Please repair the light fixtures, as discussed.

The two stand-up coolers had rust accumulation on its shelves. The inspector informed the operator that the rust must be removed. Please repair the coolers, as discussed.

The floor located at the dishwashing area was not smooth, and easily cleanable. The inspector informed the staff/operator that the floor, as described, must remain smooth and easily cleanable, especially since it is a water-prone area. Please fix the floor, as indicated., **FIX THE FLOOR.

The washroom door was not equipped with a self-closing system. Kitchen utensils were stored outside the washroom. The inspector informed the staff/operator that washrooms in the facility must be tight fitting and equipped with a self-closing door., **EQUIP THE WASHROOM WITH A SELF-CLOSING DOOR.

The wall located in the walk-in cooler was not smooth, easily cleanable and/or impervious to moisture i.e., missing tile. The inspector informed the staff/operator that the wall, as described, must remain smooth, easily cleanable and impervious to moisture, especially since it is a water-prone area. Please fix the wall, as indicated., **FIX THE WALL.

The Ice Machine was dirty. Specifically, the walls had accumulation of dirt. Some parts of the machine, being some grouts and glues, were peeling. The inspector informed the staff/operator that the ice machine must be cleaned and fixed. Thus, the inspector informed the staff/operator to not use the ice in the machine until it is cleaned and fixed to prevent serving contaminated ice. Please fix the ice machine.

The clean-in-place equipment in the kitchen, being the stand-up mixer, was noted as dirty during the inspection. The inspector informed the staff/operator that all equipment/utensils/tools in the kitchen must be kept clean and sanitary after use. Please clean the kitchen equipment.

Scoops for dry product were stored inside the bins with the scoops covered in product. All scoops should be stored away from the food product or in a separate food-safe container to prevent the risk of contamination of the bulk ingredients. The scoops were removed.

Kitchen equipment/utensils were not being cleaned regularly or after use, being the chopping board and knives. The inspector informed the staff/operator that all kitchen equipment/utensils must be cleaned/washed and sanitized after every use prior to storage. The staff/operator committed to washing and sanitizing the equipment/utensils after every use moving forward.

Some accumulation of grease on certain shelves and the door handles of the walk-in refrigeration units. The door handle on the freezer is heavily rusted and requires re-finishing. Please clean and refinish surface as required., **OUTSTANDING (2023-10-20). The door handle of the walk-in freezer was still heavily rusted. The inspector informed the operator that the handle must be refinished to remove the rust. The operator mentioned that he will be re-painting the handle.

The facility required general cleaning and sanitation. Several areas of the facility were noted as dirty, dusty, and/or greasy. The inspector informed the operator that all areas of the facility must be maintained in a clean and sanitary condition. The following areas must be cleaned:, - The floor underneath the grill, - The floor underneath the refrigeration units/coolers, - The floor underneath the dishwashing area and sinks, **PLEASE CLEAN THE AFOREMENTIONED AREAS.

The inserts of the ventilation exhaust hood were clean; however, the ceiling portion of the exhaust hood had grease and dust accumulation. The inspector informed the staff that the ceiling part of the hood must be cleaned regularly to be kept free of dust, dirt, and grease accumulation. Please include the ceiling portion of the hood when cleaning your hood inserts. Records indicating the cleaning of the inserts and hood ceiling must be kept and be readily available during inspection moving forward.