Palm Springs-area restaurant health inspections: The Palms Cafe, Shorebird get 'B' grades

While most Coachella Valley restaurants passed their health inspections this past week, two mid-valley spots earned B grades, according to reports conducted Feb. 23 through 28.

The Palms Cafe in Rancho Mirage and Shorebird in Palm Desert got cited for a number of violations, including improper food holding temperatures, handwashing methods and food storage. Both facilities will have a chance to improve their scores during their respective reinspections.

Additionally, one of the kitchens at Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs was closed by health inspectors on Tuesday due to a vermin infestation. A statement from Desert Care Network, which includes the hospital, said that the kitchen was reopened on Thursday.

Major violations pose an imminent risk to public health and warrant the immediate closure of a food facility or immediate correction, while minor violations do not pose an imminent public health risk, but do warrant correction.

2 major violations, 17 points deducted

The Palms Cafe, 69-930 Highway 111, Suite 120, Rancho Mirage

• Improper hot and cold food holding temperatures (whipped butter in the reach-in refrigerator measuring 62 degrees for four hours; a container of pooled eggs measured 53 degrees inside water; a large container of pancake mix stored on shelving below food preparation table and pancake mix stored on top of food preparation table at cook line measuring 46-47 degrees; containers of coleslaw, previously frozen blueberries, tuna, raw bacon, raw shelled eggs, cooked chicken and sliced cheese measuring between 50-73 degrees; ham in the reach-in refrigerator measuring 67 degrees for two hours; raw shelled eggs on the counter top measuring 55 degrees for less than one hour). | Some items were discarded, while others were relocated for cooling

• Employee dropped a knife on the ground, took it to the handwashing sink and rinsed it with his hands, and then attempted to take it back to the cook line for use. In another instance, and employee rinsed a knife, wiped off the excess water with his hand then attempted to take itback to preparation area for use. | Employees were instructed to properly wash, rinse and sanitize knives then properly wash their hands

• Other violations include: Multiple employees wiping their hands on their aprons while preparing foods, and employee handle raw fish, remove his gloves, then attempt to continue preparing foods; multiple instances of possible food contamination (single-use cup stored inside container of tartar sauce, multiple uncovered food containers stored below other food items, plates of pancakes stored directly on top of one another at food warmer, handle of scooping utensil in contact with raw beans, an open bag of flour stored on shelving, veggie patties stored directly on a shelf in the single door freezer, tongs stored on the handle portion of the oven); utensils and equipment need repairs and cleaning; observed a wiping cloth in employee's back pocket, multiple wiping cloths throughout the cook's line stored outside of sanitizer, improper wiping cloth sanitation levels and multiple towels used to line the countertops at the cook's line and underneath the cutting boards; employee drinks without lids stored directly adjacent to a bag of hash browns, and observed a jacket and purse stored among hot sauces on the food storage shelves; missing/loose base cove tiles across from three-compartment sink

• "B" card posted and a reinspection has been set for Feb. 29

0 major violations, 18 points deducted

Shorebird, 73-061 El Paseo, Suite 8, Palm Desert

• Violations include: Observed employee remove gloves and grab new gloves without washing their hands first; handwashing sinks clogged, blocked, have items stored in them or missing paper towel dispenser or soap; improper chlorine levels in dishwasher and sanitizer bucket; two packets of sealed salmon improperly thawing inside a prep sink; various containers of food uncovered inside kitchen refrigeration units, uncovered ice cubes stored inside the bar freezer and double stacking of open food containers at the cook's line prep area; a box of lettuce and a box of oranges stored directly on the floor behind the bar; sushi glass case sliding door to be cracked; exhaust hood filters coated with grease and hood area above wood stove to have a heavy accumulation of soot; one unchained pressurized cylinder at the bar, ice scoops stored inside the ice bin with the scoop handle touching ice, empty beverage container stored inside the employee restroom, upright freezer stored next to the second floor elevator, three pairs of tongs stored on the oven handle with tong face sticking out into walkway; various wet wiping cloths stored on counters throughout facility; air gap missing between drain pipes and floor sink in three locations, and drain pipes draining directly on the floor at the bar; dumpster bins full of garbage with lids open; buildup of residue and debris on the floor underneath large pieces of equipment and an accumulation of dust on some air vents throughout the facility; two unapproved food handler cards

• "B" card posted. Operator has a minimum of one week to comply unless otherwise stated. A follow-up inspection will be conducted then

Grade A restaurants

An “A” grade, or a score of 90 to 100 points, means a restaurant passed an inspection and met minimum health standards.

Cathedral City

• From Mouth To Mouth, 67-730 E. Palm Canyon Drive, Suite 102 (reopening following reinspection)

• Bangkok Noodles, 35-911 Date Palm Drive, Suite C3 (reopened following reinspection)

• Santa Fe Restaurant, 68-545 Ramon Road, Suite C104

Indio

• Happy Wanderer, 84-250 Indio Springs Drive

• Rancho Casa Blanca, 84-136 Ave. 44

Palm Desert

• Burger King (inside Walmart), 34-500 Monterey Ave. (restaurant was briefly closed this week due to lack of hot water)

• Chef Tanya's Kitchen, 72-695 Highway 111, Suite A6

• Wetzel's Pretzels (inside Walmart), 34-500 Monterey Ave. (restaurant was briefly closed this week due to lack of hot water)

Palm Springs

• Chipotle Mexican Grill, 2465 E. Palm Canyon Drive, Suite 1110

• Boozehounds, 2080 N. Palm Canyon Drive

• The Heyday Palm Springs, 1550 N. Palm Canyon Drive

• Dive Palm Springs, 1586 E. Palm Canyon Drive

• Over the Rainbow Desserts, 1775 E. Palm Canyon Drive, Suite 150

• Smokin' Burgers & Lounge, 1775 E. Palm Canyon Drive, Suite 220

Rancho Mirage

• Holiday Inn Express & Suites, 71-730 Highway 111

• Koffi, 71-380 Highway 111

Note: No restaurant inspections were reported for the week of Feb. 23 through 28 in Coachella, Desert Hot Springs, Indian Wells and La Quinta.

This weekly report was compiled using restaurant grading reports from the Riverside County Department of Environmental Health, accessible at restaurantgrading.rivcoeh.org/Default.aspx

Ema Sasic covers entertainment and health in the Coachella Valley. Reach her at ema.sasic@desertsun.com or on Twitter @ema_sasic.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Palm Springs restaurant health inspections: 2 get 'B' score