LA SERRE/BAR LA RUE Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

NO BARE HAND CONTACT WITH RTE FOOD OR A PRE-APPROVED ALTERNATIVE PROCEDURE PROPERLY ALLOWED - Comments: OBSERVED BARE HAND CONTACT BY 2 SEPARATE FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES PREPARING APPETIZERS AND HAMBURGERS IN THE FOOD PREP AREA. OBSERVED A FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEE ADD CUT HERBS ON TOP OF A APPETIZER PLATE WITH THEIR BARE HANDS AND MOVE A HAMBURGER FROM PLATTER TO A PLATE WITH THEIR BARE HANDS. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED THAT NO BARE HAND CONTACT IS ALLOWED WITH READY-TO-EAT FOODS. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-010. CITATION ISSUED.

Contaminated water spreads waterborne diseases. Insufficient hot water prevents proper sanitization.

Potable water supply must be adequate, protected, and properly heated.

Water from approved public system; Sufficient pressure for all operations; Hot water minimum 120°F at fixtures, 180°F for high-temp dishwashers; Backflow prevention installed; No cross-connections.

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: OBSERVED THE EXPOSED HAND WASHING SINK IN THE 2ND FLOOR DISHWASHING AREA NOT ACCESSIBLE FOR USE. THERE WAS A ROLLING CART FILLED WITH DIRTY DISHES STORED IN FRONT OF THE EXPOSED HAND WASHING SINK. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED THAT ALL EXPOSED HAND WASHING SINKS MUST BE ACCESSIBLE FOR USE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030(C). CITATION ISSUED.

Blocked or unsupplied sinks force employees to skip handwashing, spreading fecal bacteria and viruses to food.

Handwashing sinks must be accessible, properly supplied, and used only for handwashing.

Each sink needs: Warm water (100°F minimum); Soap in dispensers; Paper towels or air dryers; Waste receptacles; Signage; Clear access; Used only for handwashing.

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: OBSERVED NO HAND SOAP AVAILABLE AT THE 2ND FLOOR COFFEE BAR ARE AND ON BOTH SIDES OF THE 1ST FLOOR INDOOR AND PATIO BAR AREAS. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE HAND SOAP AT ALL HAND WASHING SINKS AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030(C). SEE VIOLATION #10 ABOVE FOR CITATION.

Blocked or unsupplied sinks force employees to skip handwashing, spreading fecal bacteria and viruses to food.

Handwashing sinks must be accessible, properly supplied, and used only for handwashing.

Each sink needs: Warm water (100°F minimum); Soap in dispensers; Paper towels or air dryers; Waste receptacles; Signage; Clear access; Used only for handwashing.

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: OBSERVED NO PAPER TOWELS AVAILABLE AT THE COFFEE BAR EXPOSED HAND WASHING SINK AND BOTH SIDES OF THE 1ST FLOOR INDOOR BAR AND PATIO BAR. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE PAPER TOWELS AT ALL HAND WASHING SINKS AT ALL TIMES. SEE VIOLATION #10 ABOVE FOR CITATION.

Blocked or unsupplied sinks force employees to skip handwashing, spreading fecal bacteria and viruses to food.

Handwashing sinks must be accessible, properly supplied, and used only for handwashing.

Each sink needs: Warm water (100°F minimum); Soap in dispensers; Paper towels or air dryers; Waste receptacles; Signage; Clear access; Used only for handwashing.

FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED - Comments: OBSERVED MOLD-LIKE GROWTH ON INTERIOR CONTACT SURFACES OF 2 ICE MACHINES LOCATED ON THE 2ND FLOOR PREP AREA. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND SANITIZE ALL INTERIOR CONTACT SURFACES OF BOTH ICE MACHINES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.

Dirty equipment harbors and spreads pathogens, causing cross-contamination and illness.

All food contact surfaces must be properly cleaned and sanitized.

Wash, rinse, sanitize after each use; Clean between different raw foods; Every 4 hours for continuous use; When contaminated; Proper procedures and chemicals.

PROPER HOT HOLDING TEMPERATURES - Comments: OBSERVED MASHED POTATOES STORED INSIDE OF THE HOT HOLDING UNIT AT 126F. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN ALL HOT TCS FOODS ABOVE 135F. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.

Temperatures above 41°F allow rapid bacterial multiplication, doubling every 20 minutes.

Cold foods must be held at 41°F or below.

Maintain 41°F or below; Check temperatures regularly; Properly functioning refrigeration; Thermometers in all units; Keep doors closed.

PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES - Comments: OBSERVED CUT TOMATOES AT 48F AND BLUE CHEESE CRUMBLES AT 47F INSIDE OF THE PREP COOLERS STORED ABOVE THE PREP TABLES. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN ALL COLD TCS FOODS BELOW 41F. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005. SEE VIOLATION #21 ABOVE FOR CITATION.

Temperatures below 135°F allow bacteria to multiply, especially spore-formers that survive cooking.

Hot foods must be held at 135°F or above.

Maintain 135°F or above; Check temperatures regularly; Proper hot holding equipment; Cannot reheat in hot holding units.

CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD - Comments: OBSERVED SEVERAL FOOD ITEMS ON THE LUNCH AND BRUNCH MENUS WITHOUT A CONSUMER ADVISORY DISCLOSURE ASTERISK ON THEM TO DENOTE THAT THE FOODS CAN BE ORDERED RAW OR UNDERCOOKED. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO INCLUDE AN ASTERISK NEXT TO EACH RAW OR UNDERCOOKED FOOD ITEM TO LINK IT TO THE REMINDER STATEMENT AT THE BOTTOM OF THE MENUS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005.

Dirty surfaces attract pests and can contaminate food indirectly.

Non-food contact surfaces must be kept clean.

Clean as often as necessary; Remove grease and debris; Maintain equipment exteriors; Keep walls, ceilings, floors clean.

COMPLIANCE WITH VARIANCE/SPECIALIZED PROCESS/HACCP - Comments: OBSERVED A VACUUM PACKAGING MACHINE IN THE FOOD PREP AREA AND VACUUM PACKAGED TCS FOODS STORED IN THE WALK-IN COOLER WITHOUT A CDPH APPROVED HACCP PLAN ON THE PREMISES. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED NOT TO USE THE VACUUM PACKAGING MACHINE UNTIL A HACCP PLAN HAS BEEN SUBMITTED AND APPROVED BY CDPH. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.

Specialized processes without proper controls can create deadly toxins like botulism.

Special processes require approved HACCP plans or variances.

Written HACCP plan for: Vacuum packaging; Sous vide; Smoking for preservation; Curing; Using additives. Plan must be approved by CDPH.

VARIANCE OBTAINED FOR SPECIALIZED PROCESSING METHODS - Comments: OBSERVED A VACUUM PACKAGING MACHINE IN THE FOOD PREP AREA AND VACUUM PACKAGED TCS FOODS STORED IN THE WALK-IN COOLER WITHOUT A CDPH APPROVED HACCP PLAN ON THE PREMISES. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED NOT TO USE THE VACUUM PACKAGING MACHINE UNTIL A HACCP PLAN HAS BEEN SUBMITTED AND APPROVED BY CDPH. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005. SEE VIOLATION #29 ABOVE FOR CITATION.

Unapproved processes may lack critical safety controls.

Variance required before conducting specialized food processes.

Submit application to CDPH; Include HACCP plan; Await approval before starting; Maintain all required records.

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT - Comments: OBSERVED APPROX. 30 LIVE SMALL FLYING INSECTS ON THE WALLS AND STORAGE SHELVES IN THE 2ND FLOOR COFFEE BAR, 2ND FLOOR BAR, 1ST FLOOR BAR AND 1ST FLOOR SERVICE STATION. ADDITIONAL PEST CONTROL SERVICE IS NEEDED TO ELIMINATE THE PEST ACTIVITY THROUGHOUT THE PREMISES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020(A). CITATION ISSUED.

Pests spread numerous diseases through contamination.

No pests or animals allowed in facility.

No evidence of pests; No live animals except service animals; Effective pest control program.

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING - Comments: OBSERVED SEVERAL FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES WITHOUT A VALID FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATE. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED THAT ALL FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES MUST SHOW VALID PROOF OF FOOD HANDLER TRAINING.

Smoking contaminates hands and food with nicotine and tar residues.

Smoking prohibited in food establishments.

No smoking in any part of establishment; Designated areas away from food; Proper signage posted.

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING - Comments: OBSERVED SEVERAL FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES WITHOUT A VALID FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATE. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED THAT ALL FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES MUST SHOW VALID PROOF OF FOOD HANDLER TRAINING.

Smoking contaminates hands and food with nicotine and tar residues.

Smoking prohibited in food establishments.

No smoking in any part of establishment; Designated areas away from food; Proper signage posted.