Poe-Lenta Italian Cafe

201 Brookline Av, Boston, MA 02215

Italian

Last inspected: Oct 24, 2025

Score

Medium Risk

Poe-Lenta Italian Cafe has been inspected four times since 2024. The newest entry in the record is dated Oct 24, 2025. When a facility lands in medium risk territory, it usually means a mixed inspection result.

There hasn't been much movement either way: counts have stayed near four violations per visit across recent inspections.

When inspectors have written things up, “nonfood contact surfaces” has been the most frequent reason, cited two times.

The city-wide average sits at 86, which Poe-Lenta Italian Cafe's 67 doesn't quite reach. Taken together, the history looks like that of a busy facility working through the usual inspection cycle.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

Oct 24, 2025

Routine

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

View 5 violations

Discarding or reconditioning unsafe adulterated or contaminated food (p)

Inspector notes: Multiple food items exposed to ansul discharge(water). Items discarded prior to my arrival denatured on site.

590.003/3-701.11-P

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

Inspector notes: Ansul discharge in the establishment Food items affected by ansul discharge(water). No power loss Assistant Commissioner Dan Prendergast notified. Voluntary closure issued. PIC Instructed to provide all necessary repairs clean/sanitize/disinfect using a professional licensed restoration company provide all documentation be re-inspected by building & health for approval to re-open.

590.002(D)/2-103.11-PF

Nonfood contact surfaces (c)

Inspector notes: Clean/sanitize/disinfect all exposed equipment.counters.tables wares ect... Provide all cleaning documents be re-inspected for approval to re-open.

590.004/4-602.13-C

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

Inspector notes: Ansul system discharge. Provide all necessary repairs & recharge the system Provide repair documentation to the health department.

590.006/6-501.11-C

Floors walls and ceilings-cleanability (c)

Inspector notes: Clean/sanitize/disinfect the location throughout(ansul discharge) Provide all cleaning documentation to the Health Department.

590.006/6-201.11-C

Aug 22, 2025

Routine

1 major violation. 5 minor violations.

View 6 violations

Using a handwashing sink-operation and maintenance (pf)

Inspector notes: Mopsink blocked by a mop bucket full of grey water- Removed at the time of the inspection

590.005/5-205.11-PF

Food storage containers identified with common name of food (c)

Inspector notes: Numerous squeeze bottles with no labeling- Provide

590.003/3-302.12-C

Cleaning ventilation systems nuisance and discharge prohibition (c)

Inspector notes: Hood sticker with an expiration of July 2025- Hood was cleaned inspected June 2025 Schedule hood cleaning/inspection or properly update hood sticker

590.006/6-501.14-C

Storing maintenance tools (c)

Inspector notes: Mops and brooms stored on the floor next the handwashing sink in the back prep- Provide an area to properly store

590.006/6-501.113-C

Nonfood contact surfaces (c)

Inspector notes: Hood filters with soils and dust buildup- Clean with proper frequency

590.004/4-602.13-C

Good repair and proper adjustment-equipment (c)

Inspector notes: Condensation buildup in refrigeration that is leaking onto the floor- Unit at 37F Make proper repairs

590.004/4-501.11-C

Apr 16, 2025

Routine

1 minor violation.

View 1 violation

In-use utensils between-use storage (c)

Inspector notes: Utensils stored in stagnant water at cookline-Corrected on site

590.003/3-304.12-C

Nov 4, 2024

Routine

No violations found.

100

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Poe-Lenta Italian Cafe last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Poe-Lenta Italian Cafe on file is from Oct 24, 2025. The public record contains four inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Poe-Lenta Italian Cafe?

Across the inspection record, “nonfood contact surfaces” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at Poe-Lenta Italian Cafe.

How does Poe-Lenta Italian Cafe compare to other restaurants in Boston?

Poe-Lenta Italian Cafe most recently scored 67 out of 100, which is lower than the Boston average of 86.

Has Poe-Lenta Italian Cafe's inspection record improved over time?

Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Poe-Lenta Italian Cafe have averaged around four violations per visit across the recent record.

What does a medium risk rating mean?

A medium risk rating at Poe-Lenta Italian Cafe means the most recent inspection turned up a handful of issues that the health department wrote up but did not classify as critical.

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