The Bean Gets a "B"

*Update: 5/31/12. The Bean has earned it's "A" in Sanitation!  I walked by today, and saw the upgrade.  Congrats, Coffee Bean!

Don't worry, Coffee Bean,  New York still loves you, too.

This afternoon I went for my standard daily coffee break to the Coffee Bean on Broadway and 41st Street.  As I approached the shop, much to my dismay I saw its sanitation grade posted: a big fat "B"!  I've never paid much attention to these sanitation grades which are posted on almost (if not all) restaurants in New York, probably because most places I frequent are rated an "A".  But you can bet you're bottom dollar that from now on I will. 

Since the Coffee Bean looks relatively sanitary to the naked eye, I did some quick research to see why exactly it earned the sub-par rating.  Here is what I found on the New York City Dept. of Health and Mental Hygiene* website:

Violations recorded in the following area (s) and a Notice of Violation issued at the reinspection conducted on 12/05/2011.

"Critical" violations are displayed in red.

Violation points: 16 Sanitary Violations 1) Filth flies or food/refuse/sewage-associated (FRSA) flies present in facility’s food and/or non-food areas. Filth flies include house flies, little house flies, blow flies, bottle flies and flesh flies. Food/refuse/sewage-associated flies include fruit flies, drain flies and Phorid flies. 2) Food not protected from potential source of contamination during storage, preparation, transportation, display or service. 3) Facility not vermin proof. Harborage or conditions conducive to attracting vermin to the premises and/or allowing vermin to exist.

The funny thing is, roommate-Matt and I comment every time we go into the Bean that the baked items sitting out on the counter do not look very enticing. I guess we were right in thinking so.  Filth flies?!  Bleghhh! Flesh flies??  Ewwww.  Phorid flies?  Vom! (for those of you who don't know what a phorid fly is, below is a picture for your viewing pleasure -- sorry so narsty)

Interestingly enough, another location of the Coffee Bean (on Columbus Ave) is rated an A.  I took a look to see if an A rating indicated a squeaky clean record.  No such luck.  Apparently you can have an A rating, and still have a "Critical" violation.  In the case of the better performing Coffee Bean:  Wiping cloths soiled or not stored in sanitizing solution.  Mmmm yummers.  Curious to see how the competition was doing, I strolled on over to the Starbucks just a few blocks away from the Coffee Bean.  It's grade? A shiny A. But guess what. They still have flesh flies and vermin. Womp.

Anyway, you are probably thinking I will probably never go back to this Coffee Bean again.  Sadly, I probably will continue to patron the Bean since I love their iced no-sugar-add vanilla latte a little too much.  Mmmmm. I'll take a latte with a side of phorid flies, thanks! 

*Is anyone else wondering what 'mental hygiene' is any how can NYC have a department for it?