INWOOD — The Health Department closed neighborhood mainstay Garden Café after inspectors found evidence of mice and other sanitary issues in the space during a Monday inspection.
The restaurant, at 4961 Broadway, was hit with 64 violation points for problems including evidence of mice, foods kept at improper temperatures and a lack of a proper sanitation system for the utensil washing area, according to Health Department records.
Garden Café is an American bistro that offers burgers, pasta and seafood. The restaurant is also known for its scenic patio, which is partially enclosed during winter months.
The restaurant’s last graded inspection in April 2014 resulted in 11 violation points, which earned the café an “A” grade.
However, during an ungraded inspection on Nov. 10, Garden Café racked up 32 violation points, many for the same problems noted in the December inspection.
The owner, Konstantinos Anton, could not immediately be reached for comment.
The Anton family operates two other restaurants in the neighborhood: Inwood Local and the Park View Café. According to Health Department records, Inwood Local earned an "A" on its most recent inspection by the agency. The Park View Cafe displayed a "A" grade sign in its front window Wedenesday, but no information about the restaurant was available on the Health Department's website.
A Health Department representative was looking into the issue.
On Wednesday, Garden Cafe's metal gate was pulled halfway shut, with a yellow notice from the Health Department posted on the restaurant’s locked door.
An employee who answered the door said he was not sure when the café would reopen and declined to comment on the inspection.
Lucie Burton, 50, goes to Garden Café twice a month with her family. She was surprised to hear of the restaurant’s closing, but said she wouldn’t hesitate to go back if it reopens.
“The food is always very good,” she said. “It must be really hard to keep a restaurant mice-free in New York City. It’s even hard to keep a clean apartment mice-free.”
