Montesacro SOMA Gets Conditional Pass - Minor Violations Fixed

Montesacro, the Italian restaurant located at 510 Stevenson Street in SOMA, received a conditional pass during its December 4th reinspection, with health inspectors noting continued progress in addressing minor violations while allowing the establishment to remain open for business. The reinspection, conducted from 9:40 AM to 10:30 AM, revealed that while the restaurant has made significant improvements from previous concerns, several correctable issues still require attention. Most notably, a display cooler in the back kitchen was not maintaining proper temperatures, with cured meat reading 53°F and mortadella at 56°F - both above the required 41°F safety threshold.

Temperature Control Corrections

During this inspection, restaurant staff voluntarily discarded the improperly stored cured meats and mortadella when temperature violations were identified. The inspector noted that the unit's ambient temperature exceeded 50°F at the top level where the meat was positioned, prompting immediate reorganization of food items to the bottom section of the cooler where proper 41°F temperatures were maintained. This proactive response from management demonstrates the restaurant's commitment to food safety protocols. The inspector documented that foods were properly rearranged during the inspection to ensure compliance with California Retail Food Code Section 113996 and 114037, which govern proper hot and cold holding temperatures.

Equipment Maintenance Issues

Additional minor violations centered around equipment maintenance and cleanliness standards. The ice machine showed residue accumulation on inner walls, though cleaning was already in progress when inspectors arrived. This type of maintenance issue is common in busy restaurant operations and was being addressed in real-time. Inspectors also identified damaged dough trays with deteriorated interior corners that need replacement. According to health code requirements, all food equipment must maintain smooth, durable surfaces that can be easily cleaned and sanitized. The restaurant will need to replace these items to maintain compliance with Section 114130 and 114160 of the California Retail Food Code. A fourth violation involved flaking paint at the front prep area hand sink and deteriorated floors near the warewash sink and basement prep area. These structural issues require sealing and repair to prevent contamination risks.

Positive Improvements Noted

The inspection report specifically highlighted that Montesacro showed marked improvement in areas that were problematic during previous visits. Inspectors noted better pest control measures and corrected food stacking violations, indicating the restaurant's ongoing efforts to enhance its food safety protocols. Two violations were corrected on-site during the inspection, demonstrating the staff's immediate responsiveness to inspector guidance. This quick action helped prevent more serious compliance issues and contributed to the conditional pass status rather than a failure.

Continued Operations

The conditional pass allows Montesacro to continue serving customers while addressing the remaining maintenance and equipment issues. Located near Civic Center BART in the heart of SOMA, the Italian restaurant remains popular with downtown workers and residents seeking authentic cuisine. Restaurant management, operating under SIERREC LLC, can be reached at (347) 401-1897 for customers with questions about the inspection results. The establishment is expected to complete the necessary corrections and pass a follow-up inspection to achieve full compliance status. This conditional pass reflects the typical collaborative approach between San Francisco health inspectors and restaurant operators, allowing businesses to correct minor issues while maintaining public safety standards.