Pastoral

341 Congress St, Boston, MA 02210

Vegetarian

Last inspected: Aug 21, 2025

Score

Low Risk

Across the available record, Pastoral has eight inspections on file, the first dated 2022. The latest inspection on file is from Aug 21, 2025. Low risk means the most recent visit produced few or no significant findings.

The picture has gotten worse over the last few visits, with the average climbing from around one violation to closer to three violations.

The pattern that stands out is “surface characteristics-indoor areas”, which has been cited three times.

The city-wide average for Boston sits at 86, putting Pastoral on the better side of that line. On the whole, the file is mixed but not concerning.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

Aug 21, 2025

Routine

1 minor violation.

View 1 violation

Repairing-premises structures attachments and fixtures-methods (c)

Inspector notes: Repair the tiles near the back door. Repair the door in the bar hallway.

590.006/6-501.11-C

Aug 7, 2025

Routine

1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 3 minor violations.

View 5 violations

Before use after cleaning (p)

Inspector notes: High temp dish machine recording 123F with irreversible thermometer.Repair Use the 3 bay sink to sanitize the utensils/pots and pans

590.004/4-702.11-P

Warewashing machines temperature measuring devices (pf)

Inspector notes: Dish gauge on high temperature dish machine not recording temperature.Repair

590.004/4-204.115-PF

Linens and napkins use limitations (c)

Inspector notes: Linens used in contacct with food on the line.Discontinue

590.003/3-304.13-C

Food storage-preventing contamination from the premises (c)

Inspector notes: Noted case of chicken stored on the floor.Discontinue and store 6 inches above the floor

590.003/3-305.11-C

Repairing-premises structures attachments and fixtures-methods (c)

Inspector notes: Repair the tiles near the back door. Install the ceiling tiles missing above the pizza oven.

590.006/6-501.11-C

Feb 20, 2025

Routine

1 critical violation. 2 minor violations.

View 3 violations

(a)(2) and (b) time/temperature control for safety food hot and cold holding (p)

Inspector notes: Shredded Lettuce observed cold holding at 53f. PIC removed and placed in walk in to properly cool. Monitor unit to assure proper temperatures. Cut Tomato cold holding at 51f. PIC removed and placed in walk in unit. Cold holding shredded beef at 49F. PIC placed in walk in unit to properly cool down.

590.003/3-501.16-P

Nonfood contact surfaces (c)

Inspector notes: Heavy food soils and debris build up observed on th top of the dishmachine. Clean to remove

590.004/4-602.13-C

Good repair and proper adjustment-equipment (c)

Inspector notes: Low boy unit not operating properly. At the time of inspection the food all temp over 41F. PIC removed and placed in walk in unit. Discontinue utilizing the unit until proper repair is made.

590.004/4-501.11-C

Oct 18, 2024

Routine

No violations found.

100

Jul 21, 2023

Routine

No violations found.

100

Jul 13, 2023

Routine

3 minor violations.

View 3 violations

Surface characteristics-indoor areas (c)

Inspector notes: Mens room handsink with wood surfaces around top of fixture. Seal to render non porous.

590.006/6-101.11-C

Maintaining premises unnecessary items and litter (c)

Inspector notes: Ice cream machine on premises. PIC states not in use. Emailed dessert license requirements to the owner if the unit is brought back on line otherwise remove.Ice cream on site appears commercially produced.

590.006/6-501.114-C

Good repair and proper adjustment-equipment (c)

Inspector notes: Loose door handles on flip top units. Repair. Freezer is holding at 39F. Repair for unit has been scheduled per on site PIC.

590.004/4-501.11-C

Oct 28, 2022

Routine

2 minor violations.

View 2 violations

Maintaining premises unnecessary items and litter (c)

Inspector notes: Remove items from alleyway outside rear door.

590.006/6-501.114-C

Surface characteristics-indoor areas (c)

Inspector notes: Open ceiling above bar area. Seal with solid surface or submit variance application sent via email. Exposed brick walls with peeling paint around pizza prep area in kitchen. Seal with cleanable materials.

590.006/6-101.11-C

Apr 29, 2022

Routine

3 major violations. 5 minor violations.

View 8 violations

(a)-(p) person-in-charge-duties (pf)

Inspector notes: Establishment is making house made gelato without a frozen desert manufacturing license. Apply for license and submit monthly plate count lab reports to isdhealth@boston.gov for house made gelatos.

590.002(D)/2-103.11-PF

(a) equipment food-contact surfaces nonfood-contact surfaces and utensils (pf)

Inspector notes: Ice machine with visible soils inside. Clean to remove.

590.004/4-601.11-PF

Ready-to-eat time/temperature control for safety food date marking (pf)

Inspector notes: Prepared foods in walkin cooler are not date marked. Provide proper date markings.

590.003/3-501.17-PF

Storage refuse recyclables and returnable (c)

Inspector notes: Boxes and bags of trash in back hallway. Remove

590.005/5-501.110-C

Surface characteristics-indoor areas (c)

Inspector notes: Exposed brick walls with peeking paint in pizza prep area. Clean and resurface. Exposed raw wooden beam where faucet dispense from at bathroom sink. Seal.

590.006/6-101.11-C

Maintaining premises unnecessary items and litter (c)

Inspector notes: Several window fixtures stored in front retail area. Remove.

590.006/6-501.114-C

Anti-choking

Inspector notes: Choke save certificate posted is expired.

590.009(E)

Maintaining refuse areas and enclosures (c)

Inspector notes: Remove grills stored in outdoor alleyway. Remove pan with food debri from outside alleyway.

590.005/5-501.115-C

Show all 8 inspections Show less

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Pastoral last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Pastoral on file is from Aug 21, 2025. The public record contains eight inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Pastoral?

Across the inspection record, “surface characteristics-indoor areas” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Pastoral.

How does Pastoral compare to other restaurants in Boston?

Pastoral most recently scored 95 out of 100, which is higher than the Boston average of 86.

Has Pastoral's inspection record improved over time?

No. Recent inspections at Pastoral have averaged around three violations per visit, up from roughly one earlier in the record.

What does a low risk rating mean?

A low risk rating at Pastoral means inspectors found minimal or no significant issues at the most recent visit. Most facilities at this tier have a clean recent inspection report.

How often is Pastoral inspected?

Based on the inspection history on file, Pastoral is inspected around two times per year on average.

Nearby Restaurants

Score: 67 — Medium Risk

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