EXQUISITE VIBEZ RESTAURANT BAR & LOUNGE
GRADE CTuesday, February 25, 2025
EXQUISITE VIBEZ RESTAURANT BAR & LOUNGE in Harlem (North) received a Grade C on their NYC health inspection on February 25, 2025 with a score of 40 points. The inspection found 9 violations, including 6 critical.
Violations Cited
02B
Hot TCS Food Not Held at 140°F or Above
Hot TCS food item not held at or above 140 °F.
BACTERIAL MULTIPLICATION: At 120°F, Clostridium perfringens doubles every 10 minutes. Can reach illness-causing levels within 1 hour. This bacteria causes 1 million US cases annually with severe abdominal cramps and diarrhea lasting 24 hours. Hot holding violations responsible for 40% of restaurant outbreaks.
Maintain ALL hot foods at 140°F minimum. Check temperatures every 30 minutes for problem foods, every 2 hours otherwise. Use calibrated thermometers. Adjust equipment immediately if below 140°F. Reheat to 165°F if below temp for under 2 hours. DISCARD if below 140°F for over 2 hours.
06E
NYC Health Code Violation 06E
Sanitized equipment or utensil, including in-use food dispensing utensil, improperly used or stored.
HEALTH HAZARD: This critical violation creates immediate risk of foodborne illness. Studies link NYC Health Code Violation 06E to bacterial contamination and outbreak events. Must be corrected immediately to protect public health.
Follow NYC Health Code Article 81 requirements. Implement corrective action immediately. Document all corrections. Train staff on proper procedures. Schedule follow-up inspection if critical.
15-42
NYC Health Code Violation 15-42
Failure to make a good faith effort to inform smokers or electronic cigarette users of Smoke-Free Air Act ("SFAA") prohibitions
CONTAMINATION RISK: This violation supports conditions allowing bacterial growth and pest activity. NYC Health Code Violation 15-42 violations associated with 25% increase in illness risk. Correction required within 24-48 hours.
Follow NYC Health Code Article 81 requirements. Implement corrective action immediately. Document all corrections. Train staff on proper procedures. Schedule follow-up inspection if critical.
02H
Food Not Cooled by Approved Method
After cooking or removal from hot holding, TCS food not cooled by an approved method whereby the internal temperature is reduced from 140 °F to 70 °F or less within 2 hours, and from 70 °F to 41 °F or less within 4 additional hours.
TOXIN PRODUCTION: Slow cooling is the #1 cause of foodborne outbreaks. Clostridium perfringens spores survive cooking and germinate during slow cooling, producing heat-stable toxin. Causes 'buffet illness' affecting hundreds at events. Staph aureus produces toxin that CANNOT be destroyed by reheating.
Cool using approved methods: Shallow pans (2 inches max depth), Ice baths with frequent stirring, Ice paddles, Blast chillers, Cut large items into portions. NEVER cool at room temperature. NEVER stack hot containers. Document cooling times and temperatures.
04A
Food Protection Certificate Not Held by Supervisor
Food Protection Certificate (FPC) not held by manager or supervisor of food operations.
KNOWLEDGE GAP: Establishments without certified managers have 2.5x more critical violations. Lack of food safety knowledge directly correlates with foodborne illness outbreaks. Certified managers reduce outbreak risk by 60% through proper training and oversight.
Obtain Food Protection Certificate immediately through NYC-approved course. Certificate holder must be present ALL operating hours. Post certificate conspicuously. Maintain valid certification (renew every 5 years). Train all staff on food safety basics.
15-21
NYC Health Code Violation 15-21
Flavored tobacco products sold, offered for sale
CONTAMINATION RISK: This violation supports conditions allowing bacterial growth and pest activity. NYC Health Code Violation 15-21 violations associated with 25% increase in illness risk. Correction required within 24-48 hours.
Follow NYC Health Code Article 81 requirements. Implement corrective action immediately. Document all corrections. Train staff on proper procedures. Schedule follow-up inspection if critical.
04C
Bare Hand Contact with Ready-to-Eat Food
Food worker/food vendor does not use utensil or other barrier to eliminate bare hand contact with food that will not receive adequate additional heat treatment.
DIRECT CONTAMINATION: Hands carry 150+ bacterial species and 3,000-5,000 bacteria per square centimeter. Even 'clean' hands transfer millions of bacteria. Ready-to-eat foods receive no kill step. Bare hand contact is #1 factor in Norovirus outbreaks affecting 20 million Americans annually.
NO bare hand contact EVER with ready-to-eat foods. Use: Single-use gloves (change every hour and between tasks), Tongs/spatulas/spoons, Deli tissue/wax paper. Wash hands before donning gloves. Post signs. This is NON-NEGOTIABLE in NYC.
15-39
NYC Health Code Violation 15-39
Ashtray present in smoke-free area.
CONTAMINATION RISK: This violation supports conditions allowing bacterial growth and pest activity. NYC Health Code Violation 15-39 violations associated with 25% increase in illness risk. Correction required within 24-48 hours.
Follow NYC Health Code Article 81 requirements. Implement corrective action immediately. Document all corrections. Train staff on proper procedures. Schedule follow-up inspection if critical.
10F
Non-food Contact Surfaces Not Clean
Non-food contact surface or equipment made of unacceptable material, not kept clean, or not properly sealed, raised, spaced or movable to allow accessibility for cleaning on all sides, above and underneath the unit.
INDIRECT CONTAMINATION: Dirty non-food surfaces harbor pests and bacteria. Employees touch these surfaces then food. Accumulation attracts roaches and rodents. Creates reservoir of contamination that spreads throughout facility.
Clean all non-food surfaces regularly: Walls, ceilings, floors daily in food areas, Equipment exteriors, Storage shelves, Light fixtures monthly. Seal cracks. Repair damaged surfaces. Maintain cleaning schedule. Assign responsibilities.
Violations were cited in the following area(s).
EXQUISITE VIBEZ RESTAURANT BAR & LOUNGE — Inspection Questions
- Did EXQUISITE VIBEZ RESTAURANT BAR & LOUNGE pass their NYC health inspection on February 25, 2025?
- EXQUISITE VIBEZ RESTAURANT BAR & LOUNGE failed with a C grade on February 25, 2025 with a score of 40 points. The inspection found 9 violation(s).
- What critical violations did EXQUISITE VIBEZ RESTAURANT BAR & LOUNGE have?
- EXQUISITE VIBEZ RESTAURANT BAR & LOUNGE had 6 critical violation(s) during their inspection. Critical violations directly contribute to foodborne illness and must be corrected immediately. These include issues with temperature control, hand washing, cross-contamination, and pest infestations.
- What does violation code 02B mean in NYC restaurant inspections?
- NYC violation 02B (Hot TCS Food Not Held at 140°F or Above) is a critical violation. Hot potentially hazardous foods must be maintained at 140°F or above to prevent rapid bacterial growth in the danger zone (41-140°F). BACTERIAL MULTIPLICATION: At 120°F, Clostridium perfringens doubles every 10 minutes. Can reach illness-causing levels within 1 hour. This bacteria causes 1 million US cases annually with severe abdominal cramps and diarrhea lasting 24 hours. Hot holding violations responsible for 40% of restaurant outbreaks.
- What does violation code 06E mean in NYC restaurant inspections?
- NYC violation 06E (NYC Health Code Violation 06E) is a critical violation. Violation of NYC Health Code requirements HEALTH HAZARD: This critical violation creates immediate risk of foodborne illness. Studies link NYC Health Code Violation 06E to bacterial contamination and outbreak events. Must be corrected immediately to protect public health.
- What does violation code 15-42 mean in NYC restaurant inspections?
- NYC violation 15-42 (NYC Health Code Violation 15-42) is a major violation. Violation of NYC Health Code requirements CONTAMINATION RISK: This violation supports conditions allowing bacterial growth and pest activity. NYC Health Code Violation 15-42 violations associated with 25% increase in illness risk. Correction required within 24-48 hours.
- What does violation code 02H mean in NYC restaurant inspections?
- NYC violation 02H (Food Not Cooled by Approved Method) is a critical violation. Cooked foods must be rapidly cooled from 140°F to 70°F within 2 hours, then to 41°F within 4 additional hours. TOXIN PRODUCTION: Slow cooling is the #1 cause of foodborne outbreaks. Clostridium perfringens spores survive cooking and germinate during slow cooling, producing heat-stable toxin. Causes 'buffet illness' affecting hundreds at events. Staph aureus produces toxin that CANNOT be destroyed by reheating.
- What does violation code 04A mean in NYC restaurant inspections?
- NYC violation 04A (Food Protection Certificate Not Held by Supervisor) is a critical violation. At least one supervisor with NYC Food Protection Certificate must be present during all hours of operation. KNOWLEDGE GAP: Establishments without certified managers have 2.5x more critical violations. Lack of food safety knowledge directly correlates with foodborne illness outbreaks. Certified managers reduce outbreak risk by 60% through proper training and oversight.
- What does violation code 15-21 mean in NYC restaurant inspections?
- NYC violation 15-21 (NYC Health Code Violation 15-21) is a major violation. Violation of NYC Health Code requirements CONTAMINATION RISK: This violation supports conditions allowing bacterial growth and pest activity. NYC Health Code Violation 15-21 violations associated with 25% increase in illness risk. Correction required within 24-48 hours.
- What does violation code 04C mean in NYC restaurant inspections?
- NYC violation 04C (Bare Hand Contact with Ready-to-Eat Food) is a critical violation. Food workers must not touch ready-to-eat foods with bare hands. Must use utensils, gloves, or other barriers. DIRECT CONTAMINATION: Hands carry 150+ bacterial species and 3,000-5,000 bacteria per square centimeter. Even 'clean' hands transfer millions of bacteria. Ready-to-eat foods receive no kill step. Bare hand contact is #1 factor in Norovirus outbreaks affecting 20 million Americans annually.
- What does violation code 15-39 mean in NYC restaurant inspections?
- NYC violation 15-39 (NYC Health Code Violation 15-39) is a major violation. Violation of NYC Health Code requirements CONTAMINATION RISK: This violation supports conditions allowing bacterial growth and pest activity. NYC Health Code Violation 15-39 violations associated with 25% increase in illness risk. Correction required within 24-48 hours.
- What does violation code 10F mean in NYC restaurant inspections?
- NYC violation 10F (Non-food Contact Surfaces Not Clean) is a minor violation. Non-food contact surfaces or equipment not kept clean, not properly sealed, or not properly maintained. INDIRECT CONTAMINATION: Dirty non-food surfaces harbor pests and bacteria. Employees touch these surfaces then food. Accumulation attracts roaches and rodents. Creates reservoir of contamination that spreads throughout facility.