McLean Restaurant Inspections: Evo Bistro, Sweet Stuff, Nourish Market

In Virginia, restaurant inspection reports aren't quite as simple as getting a letter grade or an easy to see number rating to post in the front window.

That said, we all want to know how our favorite restaurants stack up on cleanliness and sanitation.

In Fairfax County, inspectors grade restaurants based on critical and non-critical violations.

A "critical violation" is one that "poses a direct or immediate threat to the safety of the food being served." Non-critical violations are generally related to cleaning or maintenance.

"Ideally, an operation would have no critical violations, or none which are not corrected immediately and not repeated. In our experience, it is unrealistic to expect that a complex, full-service food operation can routinely avoid any violations," according to Virginia Department of Health's website.

The site continues: "Keep in mind that any inspection report is a 'snapshot' of the day and time of the inspection. On any given day, a restaurant could have fewer or more violations than noted in the report. An inspection conducted on any given day may not be representative of the overall, long term cleanliness of an establishment."

Since our last round-up, the following McLean restaurants have been inspected by the Virginia Department of Health. The full reports can be accessed on the health department's website.

• Critical: The inspector "observed food employees using improper handwashing procedures. The food employee was asked and observed to wash hands thoroughly and properly."

Fresh & Fruity inside Tysons Corner Center

• Critical: One or more of the elements of an effective employee health policy is either missing or incomplete.
• Critical: The chlorine-based sanitizing solution used to sanitize food-contact surfaces of equipment and utensils was tested and wasn't strong enough. 
• Critical: Cut honeydew and watermelon were being chilled at an improper temperature.

Chics N Wings, 8119 Watson St.

• Critical: One or more of the elements of an effective employee health policy is either missing or incomplete.
• Critical: The inspector observed that food employees did not wash hands between glove changes.
• Critical: The inspector observed raw beef adjacent to ready-to-eat celery.
• Critical: The quaternary ammonium compound-based sanitizing solution used to sanitize food-contact surfaces of equipment and utensils was tested and wasn't strong enough.
• Critical: Sliced tomatoes, spring rolls, guacamole and blue cheese were being held at improper temperatures.
• Critical: There is no consumer advisory for the following food items that may be served raw and/or undercooked: burgers, and seared tuna.

American Girl Boutiques inside Tysons Corner Center

• Critical: One or more of the elements of an effective employee health policy is either missing or incomplete.
• Critical: Sliced tomates, American cheese, cantaloupe and mozzerella were being held at improper temperatures.

Sweet Stuff, 8102 Old Dominion Dr.

• Critical: One or more of the elements of an effective employee health policy is either missing or incomplete.
• Critical: A food handler was observed drinking from an uncovered beverage container while in the kitchen.
• Critical: A food employee failed to wash his or her hands before engaging in food preparation.
• Critical: The inspector observed the handsink at the sandwich prep area is being used as a dump station and to wash utensils.
• Critical: Chicken salad and tuna fish were being stored at improper temperatures.
• Critical: Working containers of poisonous and toxic materials are not properly labeled with a common name.

Nourish Market, 8100-E Old Dominion Dr.

• Critical: The inspector observed raw animal food stored over ready-to-eat food in the refrigeration unit: raw eggs are stored above lettuce and tortilla, ready to eat food in the Southern Display unit.

Norton's American Grill & Bar inside Tysons Corner Center

• Critical: Chicken and baked potatoes were observed holding at improper temperatures.
• Critical: Cut tomatoes, crumbled hardboiled egg, sour cream and grated cheese were observed holding at improper temperatures.
• Critical: The inspector observed two live roaches in the kitchen.

I-Berry Yogurt, 1307 Old Chain Bridge Rd.

• Critical: The person in charge failed to explain the correct procedures for cleaning and sanitizing utensils and food-contact surfaces of equipment.
• Critical: One or more of the elements of an effective employee health policy is either missing or incomplete.
• Critical: The inspector observed two bottles of Raid and Raid foggers. These are residential pest control products and are not permitted in restaurants for pest control purposes.
• Critical: The inspector observed Lysol and stainless steel spray stored above yogurt toppings. 

Evo Bistro, 1313 Old Chain Bridge Rd.

• Critical: One or more of the elements of an effective employee health policy is either missing or incomplete.
• Critical: The inspector observed dented cans of artichoke, white kidney beans. Damaged packaging violates policy.
• Critical: The date when the last shellstock from the container is sold or served is not recorded on the mussel tag or label.
• Critical: Yogurt, sour cream and heavy cream were observed holding at improper temperatures.