Financial District Restaurant Gets Conditional Pass on Reinspection

The Third Floor restaurant in San Francisco's Financial District received a conditional pass during its October 31st reinspection, with health officials finding minor equipment violations that were promptly corrected on-site. The establishment at 333 Battery Street continues operating while addressing remaining cooler temperature issues. Health inspector John Wells conducted the reinspection from 12:15 PM to 12:30 PM, focusing on violations identified during previous visits. The restaurant demonstrated significant progress in addressing earlier concerns, with several issues completely resolved since the October 10th inspection.

Equipment Violations Addressed

During this inspection, Wells observed two cracked wooden charcuterie boards at the cooks' line that posed food safety concerns. Cracked boards cannot be properly cleaned and sanitized, potentially harboring bacteria in the damaged surfaces. Restaurant management immediately removed the compromised boards when notified by the inspector. The primary remaining concern involves temperature control in food preparation coolers. Wells measured ambient temperatures of 50 degrees Fahrenheit in the Garden GM Station food preparation cooler's cold drawers, with stored foods ranging from 45 to 49 degrees. Similarly, the Sautee Station cooler's top portion measured 45 degrees ambient temperature, with foods stored at 45 to 50 degrees. California Retail Food Code requires food storage temperatures at or below 41 degrees Fahrenheit to prevent bacterial growth and ensure food safety. The restaurant is working on lengthy repairs to bring the coolers into full compliance.

Progress from Previous Violations

The inspection revealed substantial improvements since the previous October 10th visit. Restaurant staff successfully corrected several violations, including relocating foods from the problematic Sautee Station prep cooler and moving tomatoes from the grill station prep cooler to an upright unit with better temperature control. Staff also addressed improper wiping towel storage, ensuring towels no longer come into direct contact with food items. These corrections demonstrate the restaurant's commitment to maintaining proper food safety protocols in the busy Financial District location near Embarcadero BART.

Conditional Pass Status

The conditional pass allows The Third Floor to continue normal operations while completing remaining corrections. Inspector Wells noted that while the Sautee Station cooler still doesn't maintain proper ambient temperature, it's no longer considered out of compliance because California code regulates food temperatures rather than cooler temperatures specifically. The restaurant's food items are being maintained at safe temperatures through alternative storage methods while cooler repairs continue. Management is working with equipment technicians to resolve the temperature control issues, though the repair process is complex and time-consuming.

Restaurant Operations Continue

Located steps from Embarcadero BART, The Third Floor serves the busy Financial District lunch and dinner crowd. The conditional pass ensures diners can continue enjoying meals while the restaurant completes final equipment adjustments. The establishment has shown consistent cooperation with health officials throughout the reinspection process. Inspector Wells can be reached at (415) 252-3801 for follow-up questions about the inspection findings. The next scheduled inspection will verify completion of cooler temperature corrections and ensure all equipment meets California health code standards for commercial food service operations.