Phinista Cafe
Last inspected: Aug 5, 2025
100
Score
Public records show eight inspections at Phinista Cafe stretching back to 2024. The newest entry in the record is dated Aug 5, 2025. Low risk indicates the latest report didn't flag anything that would worry the average customer.
Recent inspections have turned up roughly the same number of issues each time, hovering near two violations per visit.
The pattern that stands out is “consumption of animal foods that are raw undercooked”, which has been cited three times.
The city-wide average for Boston sits at 86, putting Phinista Cafe on the better side of that line. Overall, the inspection record reads well.
8
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
0
Minor latest
Inspection History
Aug 5, 2025
Routine
No violations found.
100
Jul 25, 2025
Routine
2 major violations.
View 2 violations
Consumption of animal foods that are raw undercooked or not otherwise processed to eliminate pathogens (pf)
Inspector notes: Consumer advisory discloses raw eggs in aioli but does not remind consumers of hazards of raw eggs. Update menu to disclose and remind consumers regarding raw egg consumption.
590.003/3-603.11-PF
Ready-to-eat time/temperature control for safety food date marking (pf)
Inspector notes: Aioli made in house two days prior with no date marking. Date and label all prepped foods held over 24 hours.
590.003/3-501.17-PF
82
Jul 2, 2025
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Sponges use limitation (c)
Inspector notes: Sponges observed at warewashing sink. Discard sponges. Discontinue using to wash food contact surfaces.
590.004/4-101.16-C
95
Jan 23, 2025
Routine
2 major violations.
View 2 violations
Consumption of animal foods that are raw undercooked or not otherwise processed to eliminate pathogens (pf)
Inspector notes: Menu wihtout Consumer Advisory for aioli served made with raw egg yolks. Provide information on all menu items that include aioli.
590.003/3-603.11-PF
Ready-to-eat time/temperature control for safety food date marking (pf)
Inspector notes: Container of house-made aioli without date marking. Made yesterday. Ensure all prepped foods are dated.
590.003/3-501.17-PF
82
Jun 28, 2024
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Nonfood contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Water on basement floor around hot water tank. Cleana nd dry area to avoid attracting pests.
590.004/4-602.13-C
Controlling pests (c)
Inspector notes: Mouse droppings in basement under stairs and oven. Clean and monitor. Previous pest reports provided. Provide next pest report before reinspection.
590.006/6-501.111-C
Removing dead or trapped birds insects rodents and other pest (c)
Inspector notes: Dead mice on glue traps under oven and basement stairs. Discard dead pests regularly to determine activity.
590.006/6-501.112-C
86
Jun 20, 2024
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Removing dead or trapped birds insects rodents and other pest (c)
Inspector notes: Dead mice on glue traps under oven and basement stairs. Discard dead pests regularly to determine activity.
590.006/6-501.112-C
Controlling pests (c)
Inspector notes: Mouse droppings in basement under stairs and oven. Clean and monitor. Previous pest reports provided. Provide next pest report before reinspection.
590.006/6-501.111-C
Nonfood contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Water on basement floor around hot water tank. Cleana nd dry area to avoid attracting pests.
590.004/4-602.13-C
86
Jun 4, 2024
Routine
1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 5 violations
(a) equipment food-contact surfaces nonfood-contact surfaces and utensils (pf)
Inspector notes: Interior of ice machine with pink mold-like substance. Clean to prevent contamination
590.004/4-601.11-PF
Controlling pests (c)
Inspector notes: Mouse droppings in basement under deli refrigerator behind dish machine. Clean and monitor. Provide current pest report
590.006/6-501.111-C
Food storage prohibited areas (c)
Inspector notes: Open flour sack stored on floor. Keep food elevated to preotec from contamination and avoid atrtacting pests.
590.003/3-305.12-C
Sponges use limitation (c)
Inspector notes: Sponges observed at 3 compartment sink. Discard sponges.
590.004/4-101.16-C
Nonfood-contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Soiled cardboard under induction burners. Discard. Use materials that are smooth cleanable non-absorbent
590.004/4-101.19-C
74
Jan 25, 2024
Routine
4 critical violations. 5 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 14 violations
Temperature (p)
Inspector notes: Cooked chicken beef and pork and mayonnaise made with raw egg yolk recevied from West Roxbury location without receiving log. Provide reciving log for TCS foods delivered from main location.
590.003/3-202.11-P
Non-continuous cooking of raw animal foods (p)
Inspector notes: Shell eggs partially cooked cooled and then microwaved to order. No precedures ofr noncontinuous cooking. Dicontinue partially cooking raw shell eggs ahead of service. Cook eggs thoroughly to 145F cool completely.
590.003/3-401.14-P
(a)(2) and (b) time/temperature control for safety food hot and cold holding (p)
Inspector notes: Cooked foods in refrigerator over 50F held over night: cooked chicken cooked beef cooked rice. Discarded by PIC. Unit reading 60F. Service as needed.
590.003/3-501.16-P
Sanitizers criteria-chemicals (p)
Inspector notes: Quats sanitizer testing above 500ppm. Dilute to safe levels of 200ppm. Follow label directions for mixing sanitizer tablets.
590.007/7-204.11-P
Sanitizing solutions testing devices (pf)
Inspector notes: No test strips for quats sanitizer. Provide test strips.
590.004/4-302.14-PF
Segregation and location-distressed merchandise (pf)
Inspector notes: Bags of cooked chicken and beef labeld from last month. Discarded by PIC. If cooked food is frozen then thawed indicate use by date from date of thawing.
590.006/6-404.11-PF
(a) equipment food-contact surfaces nonfood-contact surfaces and utensils (pf)
Inspector notes: Interior of ice machine with pink mold-like build-up. Clean to prevent contamination
590.004/4-601.11-PF
Consumption of animal foods that are raw undercooked or not otherwise processed to eliminate pathogens (pf)
Inspector notes: Mayonnaise made with raw egg yolk served on sandwiches without consumer advisory on menu. Discontinue serving mayo without consumer advisory. Update menu as needed
590.003/3-603.11-PF
Temperature measuring devices manual and mechanical warewashing (pf)
Inspector notes: No thermal strips or irreversible thermometer for testing final rinse temperature for high temp dish machine. Provide either strips or thermometer.
590.004/4-302.13-PF
Nonfood contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Mouse droppings at service line under oven and around basement perimeter. Clean and monitor for activity. Spills on basement refrigerators and floor. Clean to avoid attracting pests.
590.004/4-602.13-C
Removing dead or trapped birds insects rodents and other pest (c)
Inspector notes: Dea mice on glue traps in kitchen and basement. Discard dead pests to prevent contamination. Reviewed pest reports- indicated no activity. Review findings with pest company.
590.006/6-501.112-C
Sponges use limitation (c)
Inspector notes: Sponges observed at warewashing. Discontinue using sponges to wash food contact surfaces to prevent contamination.
590.004/4-101.16-C
Repairing-premises structures attachments and fixtures-methods (c)
Inspector notes: Missing and broked floor tiles in kitchen. Repair as needed for smooth cleanable non-absorbent flooring.
590.006/6-501.11-C
Intensity-lighting (c)
Inspector notes: Ceiling light in kitchen dark. Replace for full lighting.
590.006/6-303.11-C
26
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Phinista Cafe last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Phinista Cafe on file is from Aug 5, 2025. The public record contains eight inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Phinista Cafe?
Across the inspection record, “consumption of animal foods that are raw undercooked” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Phinista Cafe.
How does Phinista Cafe compare to other restaurants in Boston?
Phinista Cafe most recently scored 100 out of 100, which is higher than the Boston average of 86.
Has Phinista Cafe's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Phinista Cafe have averaged around two violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Phinista Cafe 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 Phinista Cafe inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Phinista Cafe is inspected around five times per year on average.
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