Hygiene, it seems, is not a word found in desi restaurateur Nandita Khanna’s lexicon.

Nandita’s high-end Utsav Indian restaurant in New York City continues to be plagued by serious hygiene issues.

A recent NYC Health Dept inspection of Utsav (11/30/2009) brought up sewage disposal, adulterated food, live mice and vermin issues.

Yeeks.

Raw, cooked or prepared food at Utsav is adulterated, contaminated, cross-contaminated and/ or not discarded in accordance with HACCP plan, says the NYC Health Dept. after conducting an inspection of this Indian restaurant on November 30, 2009.

Also, Utsav Festive India restaurant facility is not vermin proof, harborage or conditions conducive to vermin infestation exist and there is evidence of, or live mice in facility’s food and/ or non-food areas, according to the NYC Health Dept.

In its inspection report, the NYC Health Dept. also noted milk or milk product is undated, improperly dated or expired.

Utsav Festive India restaurant located at 1185 on Avenue of Americas in Midtown West (near Times Square) received 23 Violation Points in the November 30, 2009 NYC Health Dept. inspection and passed it.

Sanitary Violations observed at Utsav during the November 30, 2009 inspection:

1.) Lighting inadequate. Bulb not shielded or shatterproof.
2.) Plumbing not properly installed or maintained; anti-siphonage or backflow prevention device not provided where required; equipment or floor not properly drained; sewage disposal system in disrepair or not functioning properly.
3.) Milk or milk product undated, improperly dated or expired.
4.) Facility not vermin proof. Harborage or conditions conducive to vermin infestation exist.
5.) Evidence of, or live mice in facility’s food and/ or non-food areas.
6.) Raw, cooked or prepared food is adulterated, contaminated, cross-contaminated and/ or not discarded in accordance with HACCP plan.

Utsav NYC Previous NYC Inspection Results:

Date | Violation Points (passing grade is 27 or less)

11/17/2009 – 27
10/27/2009 – 55
09/11/2009 – 56
11/17/2008 – 21
08/21/2008 – 39
09/06/2007 – 20
03/22/2006 – 27

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Nandita, Clean Up Your NYC Rat-Hole Utsav
Utsav Review – Below Average Food; Poor Service