PopGoesTheNews.com The food is cheap and the decor is decidedly retro at the Studio Restaurant Tavern, a fixture on Church Street south of Carlton for more than three decades. But, according to Toronto Public Health inspection records, the restaurant could use a good scrubbing.
Inspectors ordered Studio Restaurant Tavern shut down back in March for a string of health violations and then, during two subsequent visits after it re-opened, cited it for several more infractions.
On March 5, Toronto Public Health ordered the restaurant closed and issued the owners with a summons after finding a serious infestation of cockroaches. The restaurant was also cited for nine other infractions including failure to use proper utensils to ensure food safety; failure to properly wash multi-use utensils, surfaces and equipment; failure to properly maintain equipment (including a dishwasher); failure to provide an accurate thermometer; and failure to provide adequate pest control.
Studio was given the green light to re-open on March 10 but, a month later, it was slapped with a Conditional Pass for again failing to provide adequate pest control. Then, on Aug. 31, it received another Conditional Pass and cited for failing to ensure its food is not contaminated and for not properly maintaining equipment. The restaurant was also ticketed by inspectors for failure to properly wash large utensils and to provide adequate pest control.
The restaurant is located on the ground floor of a half-empty apartment complex owned by Toronto Community Housing that has small dorm-style rooms with shared kitchens. Daybreak Diner, a restaurant located in a building adjacent to Studio, received a Conditional Pass in July 2010 for failing to provide adequate pest control and to ensure food is not contaminated. Across the street, gay dance club The Barn was cited in October 2010 for failure to provide adequate pest control and improper sanitation of washrooms.
