Latest news with #BarrelRoom
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
2 SF restaurants closed due to cockroach infestations
The Brief Dumpling Bites and Thanh Tam II Restaurant were closed by the San Francisco Department of Public Health after inspectors discovered cockroach infestations. The Barrel Room was issued a citation after inspectors found a dead mouse, but was allowed to continue operating after addressing violations. SAN FRANCISCO - Two restaurants in San Francisco were closed and a third was issued a citation after health inspectors found vermin at the establishments. Inspectors with the San Francisco Department of Public Health visited Dumpling Bites – a Sunset District eatery located at 1556 Noriega St. – on Wednesday and documented an extensive cockroach infestation, as well as minor violations related to the availability of handwashing supplies and cleaning of wiping cloths used by the restaurant. Specifically, inspectors found "a dying roach on the hand sink," another roach that fell into the sink, one dying near a microwave next to the sink, another roach inside a different sink, several nymphs crawling on woks and numerous live roaches trapped on monitor boards and next to a water heater. The SFDPH noted that inspectors found a receipt from a pest control company and evidence that the restaurant had applied treatment gel throughout the premises, indicating that the operators had taken some measures in an attempt to quell the infestation. However, inspectors issued Dumpling Bites an "immediate health permit suspension and closure," due to the violations. The SFDPH urged the restaurant to thoroughly clean their premises and have another pest control company treat the establishment for vermin in order for Dumpling Bites to resume operations. SFDPH inspectors on Thursday also visited Thanh Tam II Restaurant – a Vietnamese restaurant located at 577 Valencia St. in the city's Mission District – where they found similar cleanliness and vermin issues. According to the SFDPH report, inspectors discovered live cockroaches in a grease trap around a sink in the restaurant, as well as dead roaches in the dry storage area on the floor, between boxes and in the crevices of shelves. Inspectors also found an "excessive amount" of cockroach gel bait around the building. The SFDPH temporarily suspended Thanh Tam II's license to operate following discovery of the violations, and the restaurant was advised to deep clean its premises and also address its cockroach infestation in order to have its operation license returned. Inspectors with the SFDPH also visited The Barrel Room – a fine-dining restaurant and wine bar located at 415 Sansome St. – on Wednesday. There, the inspectors found a dead mouse stuck to a glue trap in a mop sink in the downstairs portion of the restaurant. Inspectors also noted minor violations related to food storage and temperatures at The Barrel Room. The SFDPH initially issued the restaurant a conditional passing grade, though the eatery was later given a full passing grade after addressing its violations. The Source San Francisco Department of Public Health Solve the daily Crossword
San Francisco Chronicle
3 days ago
- Health
- San Francisco Chronicle
San Francisco dumpling restaurant closed over cockroach infestation
San Francisco health inspectors closed two restaurants this week after finding live cockroaches in their kitchens and food preparation areas. Dumpling Bites, a popular Sunset District spot at 1556 Noriega St., was issued an ' immediate health permit suspension and closure ' notice Wednesday after inspectors reported seeing a 'dying roach on the hand sink,' another roach in the sink basin and 'one dying next to the microwave.' Several live adult roaches were also found on monitoring boards near the cook's line, health inspectors said, adding they observed 'live nymphs crawling on the paneling of the woks.' The closure notice cited violations of California's Retail Food Code, including inadequate vermin control, soiled wiping cloths on food prep surfaces and improper handwashing supplies. Health inspectors said they reviewed a receipt from a pest control company dated Aug. 8, but noted the restaurant had also been self-treating. Officials ordered a third-party cleaning and pest treatment before reopening, which was scheduled for Aug. 23. A representative from the restaurant could be reached for comment by phone. Thanh Tam II Restaurant, a long-running Vietnamese restaurant at 577 Valencia St. in the Mission District, was shut down Thursday after inspectors found live and dead cockroaches concentrated around the grease trap beneath the three-compartment sink, as well as in the dry storage and back prep rooms. Other violations included raw chicken and sprouts left at unsafe temperatures, improper food storage, dirty floors and equipment, and excessive cockroach bait residue on walls. The restaurant must undergo a deep cleaning, seal structural gaps and provide pest control reports before reopening. The Barrel Room, a fine-dining restaurant and wine bar in the Financial District, was also cited. The restaurant initially received a conditional pass but later earned a full pass after correcting violations during the inspection. Inspectors noted 'a dead mouse on a glue trap in the mop sink room downstairs' and 'mold on the baffle inside the ice machine.' Other violations included obstructed handwashing sinks, improper food temperatures and improperly vacuum-packed fish and other meats. 'One of the vacuum packed foods was dated 7/24, which was three weeks ago,' the inspector notes. 'The other foods did not have dates on them.'
NZ Herald
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- NZ Herald
Tauranga hosts NZ Chilli Eating Champs heat with hot sauce festival
Entering the competition himself, Jackson said the Barrel Room had expanded the event from 2024 to offer Tauranga's first Hot Sauce Festival. 'We've got all Wharf Street's restaurants on-board to offer a hot or spicy plate on their menu for April 26 – and we'll have five-six hot sauce vendors with stalls on the street selling their wares. 'The festival begins 12 noon – and the chilli eating champs will be the main event, starting at 4pm at the Barrel Room. 'Anyone can sign up – entry is $10 each and the winner takes all – you'll be in to win prize money, beer, and the one Tauranga spot in the national chilli champ finals.' In preparation, Leigh said he adds heat to most of his meals to build up his tolerance. His favourite way to add spice is to add chilli flakes, but not the kind you find at the supermarket. 'Most people who make hot sauces will also dehydrate their super spicy chillies and then grind them into a powder, and I find that's the easiest way for me to have something my level of spicy.' As the competition nears, he gets fresh chillis from local growers 'because they're the hardest to eat in terms of spice in comparison to other options like hot sauce'. An hour before the competition starts, Leigh eats a peanut butter sandwich so he doesn't go in with an empty stomach. Leigh said he often gets asked why he does it and is told that he's stupid. But he says: 'It's no different than playing a sport'. 'You set yourself a challenge, whether it's a physical challenge, or a mental challenge.' Leigh talked about the popular YouTube show 'Hot Ones', where they bring on celebrities to eat spicy hot wings. The hot wings are covered in spicier hot sauce as the challenge goes along. Leigh has tried every hot sauce from the 'Hot Ones' collection and said, 'Their spiciest sauce [Hot Ones the Last Dab Xperience Hot Sauce], I don't find it that hot.' However, Leigh claims he has tried many different hot sauces and doesn't believe any of them are spicy enough. 'I've not tried one that would tick a box to me.' When ordering takeaways from Indian or Thai restaurants, he always asks them to make it as spicy as possible. 'It's just another layer of flavour to me. Spice has flavour to me still, and I can probably taste more of that flavour having a higher spice tolerance than most people.' Leigh has already qualified to go to the national competition, and this time, his Australian rival, who beat him for the last two years, won't be there, so he's in with a good chance. If you think you can handle the heat and beat Leigh, get to the Barrel Room this Saturday before 4pm.
