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Kosher Pizzeria in Midtown Shut Down by Health Department

By Mathew Katz | January 16, 2014 12:58pm
 Raffaello Kosher Pizza was shut down by the Health Department for evidence of mice and contaminated food.
Raffaello Kosher Pizza was shut down by the Health Department for evidence of mice and contaminated food.
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DNAinfo/Mathew Katz

MIDTOWN — A popular kosher pizzeria just steps from the Diamond District was shut down by the Health Department Tuesday, after slinging pies for less than three months.

Raffaello Kosher Pizza, at 37 W. 46th St., was hit with 68 violation points on its first-ever inspection, after the Health Department found evidence of mice, contaminated food, un-refrigerated ingredients and hot food that was allowed to get cold, according to a report.

The pizza joint opened in November, bringing an outpost of La Taverna del Ghetto, a Kosher Italian restaurant in Rome, to Midtown. It debuted to rave reviews on Yelp and quickly became popular among the neighborhood's lunch crowd, with a menu of vegeterian and dessert pizzas, as well as calzones, soups and salads.

The spot was still shuttered at lunchtime on Thursday. Staff claimed it was closed because of a leak in the basement, and hoped to reopen in the afternoon.

Signs on the door said the restaurant was "Closed for Constructions [sic]," though a Health Department closure sign was visible from the street.