Restaurants near-perfect upon reinspection

WINSTED — Two Main Street businesses that recently failed Torrington Area Health District inspections proved to their customers last week that they are operating a safe kitchen and received nearly perfect scores during their re-inspections.

Mario’s Tuscany Grill and China Star Restaurant were re-inspected last Wednesday (after The Journal went to press reporting failing scores) and each earned scores of 98. Six other area restaurants also were inspected over the course of last week and all passed their health and safety inspections.

"I have certificates from Torrington Area Health District that my score has never been under 90 from them," said Sonny Gutic, owner of Mario’s Tuscany Grill.

According to Gutic, the restaurant received penalties for infractions such as improperly labeled spray bottles containing table-top sanitizer, as well as deductions for a hand-washing sink that was in place but missed by the inspector. Gutic said the inspector noted the sink was in fact in place during his re-inspection and apologized for the mistake that penalized the restaurant four points.

In addition, Gutic said the Torrington Area Health inspector arrived at the restaurant at the same time as a late food delivery during the lunch hour and some of the delivered boxes had not been put away immediately, which cost the restaurant four additional points during the first inspection.

"When you get delivered 200 cases, you need a little time to put the stuff away," said Gutic, who explained that food safety was not jeopardized.

Other deductions to the restaurant had to do with items such as broken tiles in the kitchen area and a lack of hairnets by workers.

The following businesses were evaluated between Oct. 27 and Oct. 31, and all received passing scores:

Mario’s Tuscany Grill, 98

China Star Restaurant, 98

Stop & Shop, 90

Winsted Diner, 96

China Delight, 84

Milano’s Pizza and Restaurant, 87

The Coffee Corner, 93

Dunkin Donuts, 91