Kefi, the insanely popular Greek restaurant (photos) with the astonishingly sane prices, was closed yesterday by the Health Department. Chef Michael Psilakis—who has never been slapped with such a serious DOH penalty at his other hit restaurants, which include Anthos and Mia Dona—says the problem had to do with a paperwork oversight, not the usual "rat rodeo" situation that has shuttered other eateries in recent years. The Health Department confirms they closed Kefi after it failed its initial pre-permit inspection:
They were found operating without a permit and a Food Protection Course certificate holder present. Other factors that contributed to the closure included holding several food items at unsafe temperatures and having no hand washing sink in the food preparation area in the basement. In order to reopen, the operator of Kefi must apply for a permit, correct all conditions that led to violations, submit an affidavit of correction to the Health Department and schedule a re-opening inspection.
An e-mail sent to The Feedbag by Psilakis's publicists notes that "once the paperwork failure was imminent, Psilakis felt the inspector conducted the most thorough inspection he has ever been through in his professional career, which resulted in additional violations." It's a bitter pill for the Michelin-starred chef, given the recent rave reviews from Steve Cuozzo at the Post, and the fact that the opening of this new Kefi location was already delayed almost three months.
