Popular NYC kosher restaurant Taam-Tov shut down by health department

Taam-Tov, the popular Diamond District kosher eatery, was shut down by the New York City Health Department after inspectors found a glut of violations Oct. 11.

DNA info reports the Russian-kosher joint at 41 W. 47th St., known for its inexpensive offerings such as stuffed cabbage leaves, kebabs and beef-filled pastries, was found to have 55 violation points, according to the Health Department. The restaurant’s employees were scooping up food with their bare hands and not covering food when moving it, inspectors found. Inspectors also found evidence of live mice in the restaurant, along with roaches in food areas. The restaurant has long been praised by seasoned food critics and regular Midtown lunch-hunters alike. In 2007, The New York Times called it “the best deal on a street where you can end up spending a fortune.”

This isn’t Taam-Tov’s first brush with trouble during a Health Department inspection. In Jan. 2011, it racked up 93 violation points for not refrigerating its cold food and lack of a proper hand-washing facility. Phone calls to the restaurant were not immediately returned Tuesday.

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About Douglas Powell

A former professor of food safety and the publisher of barfblog.com, Powell is passionate about food, has five daughters, and is an OK goaltender in pickup hockey. Download Doug’s CV here. Dr. Douglas Powell editor, barfblog.com retired professor, food safety 3/289 Annerley Rd Annerley, Queensland 4103 dpowell29@gmail.com 61478222221 I am based in Brisbane, Australia, 15 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time