image Food Establishment Inspection Report
Pursuant to Title 25-A of the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations
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Health Regulation & Licensing Administration    Office of Food, Drug, Radiation, and Community Hygiene    2201 Shannon Place, SE - 2nd Floor    Washington, DC 20020
http://doh.dc.gov/service/food-safety      email: food.safety@dc.gov
Establishment Name  ALERO RESTAURANT
Address  1629 CONNECTICUT AVE NW
City/State/Zip Code  WASHINGTON, DC 20009
Telephone
 (202) 744-6107
 E-mail address  DUPONT@ALERORESTAURANT.COM
Date of Inspection
 03
/
 08
/
 2024
    Time In
 12
:
 00
PM     Time Out
 01
:
 15
PM  
License Holder  Bustoss, Inc
License/Customer No.  09313xxxx-23000319
License Period
 08 
/
 01 
/
 2023 
 - 
 07 
/
 31 
/
 2027 
 Type of Inspection
 Routine
Establishment Type:  Restaurant Total
    Risk Category 1
 
 2
 
 3
 
 4
 
 5
 
 
Priority Violations  1 COS  0 R  0
Priority Foundation Violations  4 COS  0 R  0
Core Violations  4 COS  0 R  0
Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM)
 MAURICIO FERRUFINO 
CFPM #:  FS-102130 

CFPM Expiration Date:   03/08/2026  
D.C. licensed trash or solid waste contractor:
 KMG 
D.C. licensed sewage & liquid waste transport contractor:
 Valley Protein 
D.C. licensed pesticide operator/contractor:
 Orkin 
D.C. licensed ventilation hood system cleaning contractor:
 The Greasebusters 
FOODBORNE ILLNESS RISK FACTORS AND PUBLIC HEALTH INTERVENTIONS
  Compliance Status COS R
  Supervision  
IN OUT 1. Person in charge present, demonstrates knowledge, and performs duties
 
 
IN OUT 2. Certified Food Protection Manager
 
 
  Employee Health  
IN OUT 3. Management, food employee, and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities, and reporting
 
 
IN OUT 4. Proper use of restriction and exclusion
 
 
IN OUT 5. Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
 
 
  Good Hygienic Practices  
IN OUT N/O 6. Proper eating, tasting, drinking, or tobacco use
 
 
IN OUT N/O 7. No discharge from eyes, nose, and mouth
 
 
  Control of Hands as a Vehicle of Contamination  
IN OUT N/O 8. Hands clean and properly washed
 
 
IN OUT N/A N/O 9. No bare hand contact with RTE foods or a pre-approved alternate procedure properly allowed
 
 
IN OUT 10. Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
 
 
  Approved Source  
IN OUT 11. Food obtained from approved source
 
 
IN OUT N/A N/O 12. Food received at proper temperature
 
 
IN OUT 13. Food in good condition, safe, and unadulterated
 
 
IN OUT N/A N/O 14. Required records available: shellstock tags, parasite destruction
 
 
  Protection from Contamination  
IN OUT N/A 15. Food separated and protected
 
 
IN OUT N/A 16. Food-contact surfaces: cleaned and sanitized
 
 
IN OUT 17. Proper disposition of returned, previously served, reconditioned, and unsafe food
 
 
  Potentially Hazardous Food (Time/Temperature Control for Safety Food)  
IN OUT N/A N/O 18. Proper cooking time and temperatures
 
 
IN OUT N/A N/O 19. Proper reheating procedures for hot holding
 
 
IN OUT N/A N/O 20. Proper cooling time and temperature
 
 
IN OUT N/A N/O 21. Proper hot holding temperatures
 
 
IN OUT N/A 22. Proper cold holding temperatures
 
 
IN OUT N/A N/O 23. Proper date marking and disposition
 
 
IN OUT N/A N/O 24. Time as a public health control: procedures and records
 
 
  Consumer Advisory  
IN OUT N/A 25. Consumer advisory provided for raw or undercooked foods
 
 
  Highly Susceptible Populations  
IN OUT N/A 26. Pasteurized foods used; prohibited foods not offered
 
 
  Chemical  
IN OUT N/A 27. Food additives: approved and properly used
 
 
IN OUT N/A 28. Toxic substances properly identified, stored, and used
 
 
  Conformance with Approved Procedures  
IN OUT N/A 29. Compliance with variance, specialized process, and HACCP plan
 
 
 
GOOD RETAIL PRACTICES
  Compliance Status COS R
  Safe Food and Water  
IN OUT N/A 30. Pasteurized eggs used where required
 
 
IN OUT 31. Water and ice from approved source
 
 
IN OUT N/A 32. Variance obtained for specialized processing methods
 
 
  Food Temperature Control  
IN OUT 33. Proper cooling methods used; adequate equipment for temperature control
 
 
IN OUT N/A N/O 34. Plant food properly cooked for hot holding
 
 
IN OUT N/A N/O 35. Approved thawing methods used
 
 
IN OUT 36. Thermometers provided and accurate
 
 
  Food Identification  
IN OUT 37. Food properly labeled; original container
 
 
  Prevention of Food Contamination  
IN OUT 38. Insects, rodents, and animals not present
 
 
IN OUT 39. Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage, and display
 
 
IN OUT N/A 40. Personal cleanliness
 
 
IN OUT 41. Wiping cloths: properly used and stored
 
 
IN OUT N/A N/O 42. Washing fruits and vegetables
 
 
  Proper Use of Utensils  
IN OUT 43. In-use utensils: properly stored
 
 
IN OUT 44. Utensils, equipment and linens: properly stored, dried, and handled
 
 
IN OUT 45. Single-use/single-service articles: properly stored and used
 
 
IN OUT N/A 46. Gloves used properly
 
 
  Utensils, Equipment, and Vending  
IN OUT 47. Food and nonfood-contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed, and used
 
 
IN OUT 48. Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained, and used; test strips
 
 
IN OUT 49. Nonfood-contact surfaces clean
 
 
  Physical Facilities  
IN OUT 50. Hot and cold water available; adequate pressure
 
 
IN OUT 51. Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
 
 
IN OUT 52. Sewage and waste water properly disposed
 
 
IN OUT 53. Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, and cleaned
 
 
IN OUT 54. Garbage and refuse properly disposed; facilities maintained
 
 
IN OUT 55. Physical facilities installed, maintained, and clean
 
 
IN OUT 56. Adequate ventilation and lighting; designated areas used
 
 
IN = in compliance OUT = not in compliance N/O = not observed
N/A = not applicable COS = corrected on-site R = repeat violation
Establishment Name  ALERO RESTAURANT    Establishment Address  1629 CONNECTICUT AVE NW
OBSERVATIONS 25 DCMR CORRECTIVE ACTIONS
10. - Observed the hand washing sink at the bar area is blocked by towels. The person in charge moved the towels during the time of inspection.  2414.1 A handwashing sink shall be maintained so that it is accessible at all times for employee use. Pf  
14. - Observed no shellstock tags and labels for clams and mussels in the under-counter refrigerator. (Correct the cited violation within 5 calendar days)  717.1 Except as specified in Section 717.4, shellstock tags or labels shall remain attached to the container in which the shellstock are received until the container is empty. Pf  
15. - Observed an improper hierarchy of storing of food items in the under counter refrigerator. (Correct the cited violation within 5 calendar days)  802.1(a)-(b) Food shall be protected from cross contamination by: (a) Except as specified in Section 802.1(a)(3), separating raw animal foods during storage, preparation, holding, and display from: (1) Raw ready-to-eat food including other raw animal food such as fish for sushi or molluscan shellfish, or other raw ready-to-eat food such as fruits and vegetables; P and (2) Cooked ready-to-eat food; P and (3) Frozen, commercially processed and packaged raw animal food may be stored or displayed with or above frozen, commercially processed and packaged, ready-to eat food; (b) Except when combined as ingredients, separating types of raw animal foods from each other such as beef, fish, lamb, pork, and poultry during storage, preparation, holding, and display by: (1) Using separate equipment for each type; P or (2) Arranging each type of food in equipment so that cross contamination of one type with another is prevented, and (3) Preparing each type of food at different times or in separate areas. P  
15. - Observed uncovered food items in the under counter refrigerator. (Correct the cited violation within 14 calendar days)  802.1(c)-(h) Food shall be protected from cross contamination by: (c) Cleaning equipment and utensils as specified in Section 1901 and sanitizing as specified in Section 2002; (d) Except as specified in Section 802.2, storing the food in packages, covered containers, or wrappings; (e) Cleaning hermetically sealed containers of food of visible soil before opening; (f) Protecting food containers that are received packaged together in a case or overwrap from cuts when the case or overwrap is opened; (g) Storing damaged, spoiled, or recalled food being held in the food establishment as specified in Section 3103; and (h) Separating fruits and vegetables, before they are washed as specified in Section 806 from ready-to-eat food.  
23. - Observed food items in the under counter refrigerator not properly date marked to indicate the date or day by which the food shall be consumed on the premises, sold, or discarded. (Correct the cited violation within 5 calendar days)  1007.1 Except when packaging food using a reduced oxygen packaging method as specified in Section 1011, and except as specified in Section 1007.4 and 1007.5, refrigerated, ready-to-eat, potentially hazardous food (time/temperature control for safety food) prepared and held in a food establishment for more than twenty- four (24) hours shall be clearly marked to indicate the date or day by which the food shall be consumed on the premises, sold, or discarded when held at a temperature of five degrees Celsius (5 degrees C) (forty-one degrees Fahrenheit (41 degrees F)) or less for a maximum of seven (7) days. Pf  
38. - Observed rodent droppings under the dry food storage area. (Correct the cited violation within 5 calendar days)  3210.1 The premises shall be maintained free of insects, rodents, and other pests. The presence of insects, rodents, and other pests shall be controlled to minimize their presence on the premises by: Pf (a) Routinely inspecting incoming shipments of food and supplies; Pf (b) Routinely inspecting the premises for evidence of pests; Pf (c) Using methods, if pests are found, such as trapping devices or other means of pest control as specified in Sections 3402, 3410 and 3411; Pf and (d) Eliminating harborage conditions. Pf  
39. - Observed box of lemon stored on the floor in the kitchen area. (Correct the cited violation within 14 calendar days)  816.1 Except as specified in Sections 816.2 and 816.3, food shall be protected from contamination by storing the food: (a) In a clean, dry location; (b) Where it is not exposed to splash, dust, or other contamination; and (c) At least fifteen centimeters (15 cm) or six inches (6 in.) above the floor.  
41. - Observed wet wiping cloths not held in a bucket containing sanitizing solution. (Correct the cited violation within 14 calendar days)  812.2 Cloths that are in-use for wiping counters and other equipment surfaces shall be: (a) Held between uses in a chemical sanitizer solution at a concentration specified in Section 1813; and (b) Laundered daily as specified in Section 2101.4.  
47. - Observed the cutting board is not in a good repair to be effectively cleaned and sanitized. (Correct the cited violation within 14 calendar days)  1801.1 Surfaces such as cutting blocks and boards that are subject to scratching and scoring shall be resurfaced if they can no longer be effectively cleaned and sanitized, or discarded if they are not capable of being resurfaced.  
 
Sanitizer: Quaternary Ammonium, 200 ppm, 0.0 pH, 110.0°F 
Temperatures
 Item/Location Temp  Item/Location Temp  Item/Location Temp  Item/Location Temp
Hot Water (Handwashing Sink) 111.0F Hot Water (Handwashing Sink) 109.0F   0.0F Hot Water (2-compartment sink) 115.0F
Hot Water (3-compartment sink) 115.0F Beef (Hot Holding Unit) (Cold Holding) 158.0F green sauce (Hot Holding Unit) (Hot Holding) 142.0F red sauce (Hot Holding Unit) (Hot Holding) 137.0F
Chicken (Hot Holding Unit) (Hot Holding) 147.0F Beef (Counter Top) (Cold Holding) 41.0F Onions raw (Walk-in Refrigerator) (Cold Holding) 40.0F Tomatoes chopped (Walk-in Refrigerator) (Cold Holding) 39.0F
Chicken (Walk-in Refrigerator) (Cold Holding) 35.0F Cucumbers (Walk-in Refrigerator) (Cold Holding) 40.0F        
Inspector Comments:
Correct cited violations within 5 Calendar-days.

Correct cited violations within 14 Calendar-day.

If you have any questions, please contact the area supervisor by emailing food.safety@dc.gov with your inquiry details.
DC Health does not assign a grade, percentage, or rating for establishment inspection reports. We perform a pass-fail inspection. The amount of Priority, Priority Foundation, and Core violations are tallied at the top of each inspection report. DC Health also performs follow up inspections to ensure the violations which were cited on the initial report have been corrected. To view an establishment's inspection report, follow this link: https://dc.healthinspections.us.
  Mauricio Ferrufino 03/08/2024
 Person-in-Charge (Signature) (Print) Date
    Afework Berga 635  03/08/2024 
  Inspector (Signature) (Print) Badge # Date
    2023