Barbara Pinseria & Cocktail Bar Fails with Cockroach Found

A North Beach restaurant popular with tourists and locals alike failed a routine health inspection after inspectors discovered a live cockroach near the dishwashing area and standing sewage water in the basement. Barbara Pinseria & Cocktail Bar at 431 Columbus Avenue received a failing grade during this inspection on October 7, 2025. The most concerning violation involved the discovery of a nymph cockroach near the ware washing area, where clean dishes and utensils are processed before being used to serve customers. Cockroaches are known carriers of 33 different types of bacteria and six parasitic worms, making their presence in food preparation areas a serious health hazard. Inspector Michael Mooney noted that licensed pest control was scheduled to arrive that evening, but the facility had been operating with this contamination during service hours.

Sewage and Sanitation Failures

Equally alarming was the discovery of standing water in a floor sink located in the basement next to a chest freezer. This violation indicates potential sewage backup or drainage issues that could contaminate food storage areas and create breeding grounds for bacteria and pests. The standing water violation was classified as critical, representing an imminent health hazard to patrons. The inspection also revealed multiple handwashing violations that directly impact food safety. A hand wash sink at the top of the stairs was found obstructed and lacking proper supplies including soap, paper towels, and warm water. More concerning, a knife was discovered in the hand wash sink of the side prep room, indicating staff were using handwashing facilities for food preparation tasks. A second hand wash sink in the side prep room was completely non-operational, with repair personnel called during the inspection.

Temperature and Equipment Violations

Food temperature violations posed additional risks to diners. The prep top at the pizza line was maintaining food at 44°F, three degrees above the safe holding temperature of 41°F. While this was corrected on-site, the violation indicates potential for bacterial growth in ingredients used for pizza preparation. The restaurant's dishwashing system failed during active use when the ware washing machine in the basement had no sanitizer. This meant dishes and utensils potentially contaminated with harmful bacteria were being served to customers. Staff had to re-sanitize all dishes using either the repaired machine or a three-basin sink with sanitizer solution.

Additional Food Safety Concerns

Inspectors found live mussels stored improperly on ice in a non-perforated container without required identification tags. Proper shellfish storage is crucial to prevent foodborne illness, particularly from contaminated mollusks that can harbor dangerous bacteria and toxins. The facility also had pork thawing in standing water rather than under running water, creating conditions for bacterial multiplication. Additionally, residential-use pest control products were found on premises, which are not approved for commercial food establishments and may pose chemical contamination risks.

Restaurant Response and Next Steps

Francesco Covucci, the person in charge during the inspection, reportedly refused to sign the inspection report. The restaurant remains open despite the failing grade, though management must address all violations before the next inspection. Licensed pest control treatment was scheduled for the evening of the inspection. This marks the first recorded inspection for Barbara Pinseria & Cocktail Bar since opening, making it unclear whether these issues represent new problems or ongoing maintenance failures. The restaurant's location near the Powell-Mason Cable Car line makes it a frequent stop for tourists exploring North Beach. Inspector Mooney can be reached at (415) 252-3802 for follow-up questions about the violations and required corrections.