Grand Hyatt Ballroom Kitchen Shut Down By Health Department

MIDTOWN MANHATTAN, NY — The ballroom kitchen at Midtown Manhattan's swanky Grand Hyatt hotel was shuttered by the city Health Department after a mice infestation triggered a failed inspection, a department spokeswoman told Patch.

Restaurant inspectors ordered the ballroom kitchen — not the East 42nd Street hotel's main restaurant — to be closed following a Nov. 17 inspection, according to Health Department records. The kitchen racked up 43 violation points during the inspection for critical violations such as evidence of a mice or live mice in food areas, improper protection of food from contamination and improperly washed surfaces.

"The agency temporarily closed the ballroom kitchen at the Grand Hyatt for critical public health hazards that could not be addressed at the time of the inspection," a Health Department spokeswoman said. "Once these issues have been addressed, the hotel may request a re-opening inspection."

The Health Department also ruled that the kitchen was not "vermin proof."

The Health Department generally opts to close restaurants after an inspection if it deems a violation a "public health hazard" that can not be corrected before an inspection ends or for "serious and persistent violations," according to its grading methodology.

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