Mona Lisa among eateries closed temporarily for provincial health violations

Provincial health inspectors temporarily closed an Italian restaurant earlier this month that has been a fixture in River Heights for more than four decades.

Manitoba Health shuttered Mona Lisa Restaurant at 1697 Corydon Ave., on Sept. 11 for failing to take effective measures against the entry and presence of rodents and failing to ensure the establishment was in good repair and kept clean.

It was allowed to reopen four days later following another inspection.

Joe Grande, who has owned the restaurant for 42 years, said he has always had a robust level of pest control that has now been upgraded further.

“We have one of the best pest-control companies in the province working with us,” Grande said Wednesday.

“We’re doing everything that is recommended and everything we’ve been asked to do. The issue is not here anymore. We’ve been doing this for 42 years, but sometimes you don’t have control over what the critters do. We are a ground-level restaurant with easy access to wheelchairs, but that also helps the little critters.”

Grande said the Health Department’s other concerns about keeping in good repair and cleanliness have also been addressed.

Lincoln Poulin, president of Poulin’s Pest Control, said while he’s not aware of the circumstances at Mona Lisa, he surveys the outside of a location before going in.

“Lots of times when I am called — even before I say hello — I drive around the building,” Poulin said.

Mulch and vegetation near a patio can attract mice, as can opportunity, he said, noting any construction or renovation work being done can involve contractors who “pop the door open,” inviting pests inside.

“(Rodents) can get in (through) a space the size of a dime,” he said.

Mona Lisa was among 20 other restaurants and food-service establishments ordered closed for health violations since the beginning of July, when the province issued its last bulletin.

The most recent closure was Frickin Chicken and Pizza, at 1438 Logan Ave., on Sept. 17. According to the province, it remains closed after failing to register as a food-handling establishment before opening, not taking effective measures to stop rodents from entering, making food in unsanitary conditions and not making sure stored food was protected from contamination.

Others shuttered in recent weeks included:

• Umi Sushi (1659 Kenaston Blvd.) — closed for four days starting Sept. 15, after being cited for violations including preparing food under unsanitary conditions and having its refrigeration equipment in disrepair.

• Chacha Wow East Indian Cuisine (3119 Portage Ave.) — closed since Sept. 12 after being found operating before getting a food-handling establishment permit.

• Salisbury House (1 Bannister Rd.) — closed for three days starting Aug. 18, after it was cited for several violations, including preparing food in unsanitary conditions and failing to take effective measures against the entry of rodents.

• Freshii (1857 Grant Ave.) — was closed for three days on July 25 because of refrigeration equipment in disrepair leaving it unable to keep a safe internal temperature for potentially hazardous food.

• V&C Cuevas Bakery (989 McPhillips St.) — closed for four days on Aug. 7 for four days because of unsanitary conditions and an inadequate supply of both hot and cold potable water.

The complete list of closures is available at: http://wfp.to/iJ9

kevin.rollason@freepress.mb.ca