It's Winter Break! Bwog will be moving in slow motion.

BREAKING: Amir's Shut by Health Department

Terrible, terrible news as Morningside standby Amir's has been shuttered due to health code violations. And it only violated 11 points' worth of your health during its last inspection in January.

Bwog tried calling the ill-fated falafel distributor for comment, but after a few rings, the phone just cut off. Close-up of the notice and the Department of Health's list of grievances—and the fate of Amir's!—after the jump.

Photos by Anish Bramhandkar

Jessica Scaperotti, who works in media relations at the Department of Health, talked to Bwog Culinary Bureau Chief Jon Hill about the restaurant's specific violations, which include:

  • Cold food being stored above proper temperatures
  • Food not being cooled by the appropriate methods (Considering there are only so many ways to cool food, Bwog wonders what was going on)
  • Roaches in the food storage area
  • Evidence of a fly infestation

Says Scaperotti: "As soon as the situation is rectified, they can contact the Department of Health for a subsequent inspection."


Posted by where : #1 · reply · track
October 15, 2008 at 2:50 PM (from campus)
is the 'list of grievances'?
Posted by EWWWW : #2 · reply · track
October 15, 2008 at 3:04 PM (from campus)
now I'm glad I never ate there.

and what is up with the roaches? they've been semi-rampant in Wien lately
Posted by told : #3 · reply · track
October 15, 2008 at 3:05 PM (from campus)
you.
Posted by damn : #4 · reply · track
October 15, 2008 at 3:07 PM (from campus)
up from 11 to 77 violations?

::shudder::
Posted by and : #5 · reply · track
October 15, 2008 at 3:08 PM (from campus)
rats in claremont
Posted by woooooo : #6 · reply · track
October 15, 2008 at 3:10 PM (from campus)
i dont think ive ever eaten worse falafel. this is a long time coming. we gotta get jerusalem shawarma to move up in here.
Posted by seriously : #7 · reply · track
October 15, 2008 at 3:17 PM (from campus)
i'm not joking when I say this, but I found a roach in my platter from Amir's once. good riddance.
Posted by finally : #8 · reply · track
October 15, 2008 at 3:29 PM
fuck amir's that place sucks. let's get a sporting goods store or something
Posted by ha ha ha : #9 · reply · track
October 15, 2008 at 3:34 PM (from campus)
HA to my roommate who ate all the time there last year. HA. HA. HA. that's what you get
Posted by i feel... : #10 · reply · track
October 15, 2008 at 3:36 PM (from campus)
so dirty about having eaten there.
Posted by vagina : #11 · reply · track
October 15, 2008 at 3:38 PM (from campus)
This comment has been deleted.
Posted by At least : #12 · reply · track
October 15, 2008 at 3:54 PM (from campus)
it's not this: [external link to www.reuters.com]
Posted by you're : #13 (in reply to #11) · reply · track
October 15, 2008 at 3:54 PM (from campus)
a dick
Posted by of course : #14 (in reply to #13) · reply · track
October 15, 2008 at 4:04 PM
he's a dick...he has a legitimate grievance...he's tired of being plunged into a tunarific forest of horrors.
Posted by ehh : #15 · reply · track
October 15, 2008 at 4:44 PM
most of the restaurants on morningside have health violations and get closed down at one point or another. i still like amir's.
Posted by So, explain this : #16 · reply · track
October 15, 2008 at 5:40 PM (from campus)
Then, how has John Jay not been shut down?
Posted by Hamilton : #17 · reply · track
October 15, 2008 at 5:42 PM (from campus)
How about a Five Guys? Or a good kebab place?
Posted by Five Guys : #18 · reply · track
October 15, 2008 at 5:47 PM
Is not possible because Morningside Heights would never allow a good, cheap restaurant to exist within its boundaries. (Excepting Roti Roll and Taqueria)
Posted by ... : #19 · reply · track
October 15, 2008 at 5:53 PM
someone speaks the truth and they are immediately censored... i feel like an opressed male now
Posted by ..... : #20 · reply · track
October 15, 2008 at 6:00 PM (from campus)
you should date a vegetarian. we taste better. or, become one yourself. food is cheaper that way
Posted by i want : #21 (in reply to #18) · reply · track
October 15, 2008 at 6:02 PM (from campus)
no i neeeeeed a five guys near campus. there are so many back home and i miss them like crazy.
Posted by barnard girl : #22 · reply · track
October 15, 2008 at 6:26 PM (from campus)
they can replace it with a yogurt place!
Posted by oooooh : #23 · reply · track
October 15, 2008 at 6:29 PM (from campus)
JAMBA JUICE!!!!!
Posted by DHI : #24 (in reply to #23) · reply · track
October 15, 2008 at 6:31 PM (from campus)
Come on now nah nah we don't need that.

Posted by oh.hello.there : #25 (in reply to #24) · reply · track
October 15, 2008 at 7:01 PM (from campus)
au contraire!

WE NEED A JAMBA JUICE!!! or what about a PANERA?

Posted by oh my god : #26 · reply · track
October 15, 2008 at 7:17 PM
PANERA WOULD BE DIVINE
Posted by pico de guava : #27 · reply · track
October 15, 2008 at 7:22 PM (from campus)
no no panera blows
Posted by I second : #28 · reply · track
October 15, 2008 at 7:28 PM (from campus)
JAMBA JUICE
Posted by Quizno's Lover : #29 · reply · track
October 15, 2008 at 7:45 PM (from campus)
Quizno's would dominate Columbia. I would even put some of my own money in to help it get built.
Posted by JAMBA : #30 · reply · track
October 15, 2008 at 7:50 PM (from campus)
This comment has been deleted.
Posted by cyang : #31 · reply · track
October 15, 2008 at 8:25 PM (from campus)
please write In Defense of Amir's Lebanese Chicken Wrap.
Posted by panera??? : #32 · reply · track
October 15, 2008 at 8:25 PM (from campus)


is there a worse scourge than Panera, with its fake bread and fake cold cuts and nothing worth eating? Let's hope to god it stays in the 'burbs. I did not move to NYC to eat at Panera.
Posted by hmmmm : #33 · reply · track
October 15, 2008 at 8:51 PM (from campus)
i wouldn't mind an au bon pain or pret a manger around here
Posted by agreed- : #34 (in reply to #33) · reply · track
October 15, 2008 at 9:34 PM (from campus)
a pret would be awesome
Posted by time for : #35 · reply · track
October 15, 2008 at 10:05 PM (from campus)
a really good middle eastern place. preferrably persian or afghani!
Posted by mat : #36 · reply · track
October 15, 2008 at 10:18 PM
Jerusalem Cafe is better anyway.
Posted by five guys : #37 (in reply to #21) · reply · track
October 15, 2008 at 10:21 PM
is an artery clogging gift from the heavens.
Posted by surlybastard : #38 · reply · track
October 15, 2008 at 10:27 PM
The problem with Amir's was that they always used stale pitas. Jerusalem Gyro was always much better, and infinitely more filthy.
Posted by Five Guys enthusiast : #39 (in reply to #37) · reply · track
October 15, 2008 at 10:41 PM (from campus)
I would gain about 30 pounds each semester if we had five guys, but I'd love every minute of it
Posted by likeAmir's : #40 · reply · track
October 15, 2008 at 10:48 PM (from campus)
I like Amir's. The food was very good. I ate there so many times and I never felt bad.

Posted by aaoaoao : #41 · reply · track
October 15, 2008 at 11:23 PM (from campus)
As the poster demonstrates, it could have possibly been a mental hygiene violation that closed Amir's. any ideas on what that could mean
Posted by I'd enjoy : #42 · reply · track
October 15, 2008 at 11:46 PM (from campus)
something vegetarian or healthy, because I can't think of any restaurant in morningside heights that fits either of those qualifications. If not, (good) middle eastern/persian/AFGHANI would also be a great replacement.
Posted by Taco Bell : #43 · reply · track
October 15, 2008 at 11:46 PM (from campus)
that would be fucking epic
Posted by DHI : #44 (in reply to #21) · reply · track
October 15, 2008 at 11:52 PM (from campus)
Word. There are no burgers near that tasty around here.

YOU MUST BE FROM THE GREATER DC METROPOLITAN AREA LIKE MILLIONS OF PEOPLE BECAUSE OF ALL THE FIVE GUYS LOCATIONS THERE: I HOPE THAT IF YOU ARE FROM VA OR MD THAT YOU DON'T MIND PAYING A COMMUTER TAX BECAUSE HOPEFULLY THAT WILL BE IN EFFECT SOME DAY.

I have politicized this post!
Posted by DHI : #45 · reply · track
October 15, 2008 at 11:53 PM (from campus)
Okay there's never gonna be a commuter tax.

BUT there could possibly be a Five Guys near CU.
Posted by actually : #46 (in reply to #38) · reply · track
October 16, 2008 at 12:44 AM (from campus)
the problem with amir's was that they were dirty.
Posted by au bon pain : #47 · reply · track
October 16, 2008 at 12:53 AM (from campus)
would be amazing. seriously, lots of other colleges have one near their campus. good food, cheap, and does breakfast, lunch, dinner, and midnight snack.
Posted by ... : #48 · reply · track
October 16, 2008 at 1:02 AM (from campus)
i love how they call it the department of health and mental hygiene.

it's just so... midcentury... it totally conjurs up images of coen brothers style dudes running around in white jumpsuits with giant human nets baggin up the crazies.
Posted by Nobler : #49 (in reply to #31) · reply · track
October 16, 2008 at 2:18 AM (from campus)
You mean "Amir's Lebanese Salmonella Wraps."
Posted by dude : #50 (in reply to #32) · reply · track
October 16, 2008 at 6:25 AM (from campus)
chill out man. don't be such a snob. panera is good shit.
Posted by ssssssssssss : #51 · reply · track
October 16, 2008 at 11:05 AM (from campus)
they should get an in and out
Posted by BURGERS : #52 · reply · track
October 16, 2008 at 12:57 PM (from campus)
WE NEED A FIVE GUYSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
Posted by TOTALLY : #53 (in reply to #44) · reply · track
October 16, 2008 at 1:19 PM (from campus)
i am from the dc area and i have never craved anything from home like a five guys burger. in fact, im going to the one on 55th this weekend to satisfy my craving. but one closer to campus would seriously rock my world.
Posted by Idea : #54 · reply · track
October 16, 2008 at 8:27 PM (from campus)
Four Seasons restaurant?
Posted by i live here : #55 · reply · track
October 19, 2008 at 10:46 AM (from campus)
What is with all the people begging for this-or-that chain restaurant? You really want Broadway to look like any other main drag in America? Owner-operated small businesses are what make a place unique, you dorks!
Posted by Bob : #56 · reply · track
October 20, 2008 at 1:32 AM
I kind of liked Amirs. Never had any problem. They are one of the few affordable places in the area.
Posted by shake : #57 · reply · track
October 20, 2008 at 4:28 PM (from campus)
shack
Name:
Email:
Reply to:

Describe this color in one lowercase word.
30 °F, Fair

Search

About Us

Bwog is compiled by the staff of The Blue and White, Columbia University's undergraduate magazine.

Contact Us

Please send tips to bwgossip@columbia.edu.

Questions or concerns? Email bweditors@columbia.edu.

Bwog is always looking for new writing talent. Email bwog@columbia.edu.

In Print

Our Favorite Comments

Generic Asshole: [read]
"Ew! How could you ever go to [popular Columbia spot]? It's overpriced and so fake! For REAL [service/product]..."
good analysis: [read]
"Dspar. But you know what, I think the real reason there was a crash is because there are far too few..."

Bwogroll

Technical

Our headlines are syndicated through Atom. This site is powered by the Publicate Content Management System, which is available for free.

Events

01/10/2009


Apply now and keep everyone updated on the artistic pulse of the Columbia campus! Postcrypt Art Gallery is looking for a dedicated webmaster to maintain the official Postcrypt site, www.postcrypt.info. Please e-mail jenny@postcrypt.info with your name, year and school, experience, and statement of interest.

The application deadline is January 10, 2009.


01/24/2009

Contact email: info@eastasiareview.org

The Columbia East Asia Review is currently accepting submissions for its 2009 edition. Research papers from all disciplines and majors are welcome. For more information and submission details, please visit us at www.eastasiareview.org

or e-mail us at info@eastasiareview.org. The deadline for submissions is January 24, 2009.
East Asia Review Website


01/24/2009

Contact email: helvidius@columbia.edu

Publish that senior thesis! In its 20th year of publication, the Journal of Politics & Society is inviting submissions for its 2009 edition, which will be distributed in Barnes & Noble and Borders. Please email essays to helvidius@columbia.edu or visit http://www.helvedius.org
for more info. Deadline: January 24, 2009, all disciplines welcome.


01/26/2009

Contact email: cujh@columbia.edu

Positions on the editorial board are competitive, and choices are made by a committee of current editorial board members. To apply, send the following materials to cujh@columbia.edu with the subject line: Prospective Editor Application

Include your name, year, and majors and specializations;

A list of courses taken in the history department, or related courses relevant to the field of history (Philosophy of History; Historical Sociology, etc);

A writing sample of 5 to 7 pages, double-spaced, 12 point font dealing with a historical topic; it may be an excerpt from a larger paper, include a brief abstract if necessary;

An estimate of your availability for the Spring 2009 Semester; include other commitments and positions, and your ability to commit to the extensive reading and editing that a position on the editorial board requires.

The DEADLINE for all applications is JANUARY 26th, but we encourage you to prepare your application and send it right away. Email it with writing sample attached to: cujh@columbia.edu


02/01/2009

Contact email: periwynkle@gmail.com


Do you like to read and write about books, attend literary events/exhibitions, and frequent cafés and bookstores for readings by authors and poets? If you answered yes to any part of the above question, you should write for Spectator Books! My name is Yin Yin Lu, and I am the new Spectator A&E Books Editor. There are many benefits and inimitable opportunities for Books writers besides being able to see your name in print: interviewing all sorts of published writers, from debut novelists to Nobel Peace Prize winners, attending events at the NYPL, Symphony Space, book festivals, and museums for free, and getting free review copies of books before they are released! Last semester, for instance, I interviewed Lytton Smith and Karen Russell, both published graduates of the Columbia MFA program, attended a talk with critics James Wood and Daniel Mendelsohn at the NYPL, and heard Malcolm Gladwell speak at the New Yorker Festival.

Besides being exposed to these exciting opportunities, another reason you should write for Spectator Books is that it is not a long-term commitment - you can contribute as often or as little as you like. You can start your own column, write a recurring feature, or submit an article once every few weeks (or once the entire semester). Moreover, articles are flexible in terms of length and style, depending on whether they are features, reviews, or pieces for the Eye (Spectator's weekly arts and features magazine). Or you can post reviews of any length or style anytime you want on Spectacle, A&E's new and amazing blog.

There really are no obligations to being a Spec Books writer besides actually writing the articles that you want to. I will be sending e-mails with pitches and other information every week, and holding biweekly meetings at the Spec office, but those are not mandatory and are just an opportunity for me to assign pitches and meet my writers.

Completely enticed? Mildly interested? Still uncertain and would like more information? Whatever the case, e-mail me at periwynkle@gmail.com.


02/09/2009

Contact email: cufilmproductions@columbia.edu

Columbia Undergraduate Film Productions is launching our inaugural Production Season to write and produce original short films for our Film Festival!

CUFP Production Season will consist of intensive Screenwriters' Workshops and Directors' Workshops to offer you full creative and logistic support from your peers as you make your films on campus! We are looking for talented writers and directors who are passionate about film to create fresh, interesting material for our film festival.

Ideal candidates will be enthusiastic about film, dedicated to the workshop process, and excited to work on short films in a CUFP workshop setting. Workshops will be late Sunday afternoons and some Monday evenings.

The DEADLINE for Writers' Applications is Friday January 23.
The DEADLINE for Directors' Applications is Monday February 9

All Applicants: Send an e-mail with your name, e-mail, phone number, and school and class information to CUFPproductionseason@gmail.com. Please write a short personal statement (why are you interested in CUFP Production Season? How will you benefit from the workshop process?). Make sure to include all relevant experience with film and writing and/or directing.

**Writers: Please attach a screenwriting sample in Microsoft Word format. Writing sample should be maximum 5 pgs and should give us an idea of your narrative style and genre interest. It does not have to be the short film you will work on in workshop, but if it is not please include pitches/ideas for a short film you would like to workshop.


02/15/2009

Contact email: rhapsody@columbia.edu


Rhapsody in Blue, Columbia's urban affairs journal, having successfully, if belatedly gotten its first semester magazines in hand, is going to try again.

We're back to North America this semester. We need pitches from you. We want thoughtful, interesting, fun pieces that say something about cities. What are you interested in writing about? The first step is to send us a pitch--a paragraph about what you want to talk about, how will you do it? Pitches are due February 15. You'll hear from us if it's a go and drafts due a month later.

Old issues are on our website if you'd like to see more. Great opportunity to publish ideas from class, etc.

Send an email by us with any questions. Our FIRST MEETING for anyone interested in learning more about writing, editing, web or layout will be Wed, JAN 28, at 7:30, Broadway Piano Lounge. Also stay tuned for the study abroad blog, which should be going somewhere this semester. Let us know if you're interested in that as well.


01/6/2010

Contact email: bwog@columbia.edu

Email your event ads to bwog@columbia.edu.


Lost and Found

Lost (or found) an item? Email bwog@columbia.edu.