Alexandria Restaurant Inspections: Mold-Like Substance Found

After the Virginia Department of Health transitioned to a new online database, restaurant inspections are back. City of Alexandria restaurants regularly undergo health inspections, with the frequency depending on the type of food served and how it is prepared. While violations like malfunctioning refrigerators and food that's not warm or cold enough often pop up, health inspectors sometimes find more critical violations.

"In our experience, it is unrealistic to expect that a complex, full-service food operation can routinely avoid any violations," notes the Virginia Department of Health.

Here are full results for Alexandria restaurants in recent weeks, which includes a mold-like substance in the ice machine at Nando’s Peri Peri. The other major change was better follow-up inspection for Meda Market & Restaurant.

Click on each restaurant for full results. Full reports are usually available five to seven days after the inspection on the health department's website.

Violations

Goody’s Carryout: 1104 Queen St Alexandria, VA 22314

Last inspection: Dec. 23

Violations:Observed food employees using improper handwashing procedures: cook came from outside and washed his hands for less than 20 seconds, food items were measured at improper temperatures: cut cabbage stored on the counter top, food stored in a location where it is subject to splash, dust or other contamination as follows: container with flour mixture for chicken was uncovered and stored next to handwash station, observed unused trash bags on top of container as well, dispensing and/or in-use utensils improperly stored between use as follows: rice scoop in room temperature water next to the white rice pot, knives stored in between prep unit and wall.

Hong Kong Express: 4545 Duke St Alexandria, VA 22304

Last inspection: Dec. 31

Violations: The handwashing sink next to the register is blocked by a chair preventing access by employees for easy handwashing, soap was not provided at the front handsink next to the register, dented can of oyster flavored sauce was observed for service/sale on the dry storage shelf, equipment food-contact surfaces were observed soiled to sight and touch: can opener, poultry item was not cooked to a sufficient temperature and/or time to eliminate pathogenic bacteria: chicken from the grill stove top, food item was measured at improper cold-holding temperatures: pork (57 F), raw beef (57 F), raw shrimp (52 F), and raw chicken (47 F) in the prep cooler, food container of garlic-in-oil mixture (68 F) sitting in front of stove top, 16 unlabeled food containers that are not easily identified by appearance on the movable cart in front of the stove top, the cutting board along the prep cooler is heavily scratched and scored, mechanical refrigeration unit is not currently operating as required to cold hold food at a temperature of 41°F or less: prep cooler (55 F), hot and cold water under insufficient or inadequate pressure at the handsink next to the register, mops are not hung up to air dry, hood filters observed with excessive build-up of grease

Lost Dog Cafe: 808 N Henry St. Alexandria, VA 22314

Last inspection: Dec. 11

Violations: No covered receptacle in restrooms, several employee belongings were observed on the rack above the salad prep stations

Meda Market & Restaurant: 512 S. Van Dorn St B Alexandria, VA 22304

Last inspection: Dec. 20

Violations: There is no certified food protection manager to supervise the food establishment's food service employees

Nando’s Peri Peri: 702 King St Alexandria, VA 22314

Last inspection: Dec. 17

Violations: Observed that interior surfaces of the ice machine in contact with non-TCS food had an accumulation of a mold-like substance, written procedures for Time as a Public Health Control used for the garlic butter were not available, accumulation of mold-like substances on the non-food contact surfaces of the exterior of the ice chutes at drink machines, drains of drink machines, and top of the dish machine

Nazret Market - Carry Out: 656 S. Pickett St Alexandria, VA 22304

Last inspection: Dec. 27

Violations: The following food item(s) for which time rather than temperature is being used as a control was not marked or otherwise identified to indicate the time that is 4 hours past the point in time when the food is removed from temperature control : samosas

No Violations

Aldo’s Italian Kitchen: 2850 Eisenhower Ave Alexandria, VA 22314
Last inspection: Dec. 20
Violations: none

Four Seasons Bakery Cafe: 50 S. Pickett St 23 Alexandria, VA 22304
Last inspection: Dec. 20
Violations: none

Mason Social: 728 N Henry Street Alexandria, VA 22314
Last inspection: Dec. 27
Violations: none

Ms. Jo's Petite Sweets: 820 S. Pickett St Alexandria, VA 22304
Last inspection: Dec. 19 (pre-opening)
Violations: none

Stage Door: 1324 King St Alexandria, VA 22314
Last inspection: Dec. 18
Violations: none

Starbucks Coffee #14482: 540 N. Henry St Alexandria, VA 22314
Last inspection: Dec. 27
Violations: none

Van Dorn Diner: 281 S. Van Dorn St Alexandria, VA 22304
Last inspection: Dec. 27
Violations: none

Wag & Brew: 614-A S Pickett St. Alexandria, VA 22304
Last inspection: Dec. 13
Violations: none