The only thing that surpasses how noisy, filthy, and empty Galik Ambarson’s “My Kitchen” restaurant is would be how much of an odious, despicable, drunken, violent, homophobic, morally bankrupt douchebag he is. As you might remember, he had many months of being not only a C rated restaurant from the NYC Department of Health, but one of the worst health grades in NYC history – a whopping 92 violation points.
Here is what the Board of Health found:
“Sanitary Violations [6-16-11]
1) Cold food item held above 41º F (smoked fish and reduced oxygen packaged foods above 38 ºF) except during necessary preparation.
2) Raw, cooked or prepared food is adulterated, contaminated, cross-contaminated, or not discarded in accordance with HACCP plan.
3) Evidence of mice or live mice present in facility’s food and/or non-food areas.
4) Hand washing facility not provided in or near food preparation area and toilet room. Hot and cold running water at adequate pressure to enable cleanliness of employees not provided at facility. Soap and an acceptable hand-drying device not provided.
5) Food not protected from potential source of contamination during storage, preparation, transportation, display or service.
6) Food contact surface not properly washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any activity when contamination may have occurred.
7) Sanitized equipment or utensil, including in-use food dispensing utensil, improperly used or stored.
8 ) Wiping cloths soiled or not stored in sanitizing solution.
9) Pesticide use not in accordance with label or applicable laws. Prohibited chemical used/stored. Open bait station used.
10 ) Food contact surface not properly maintained.
11) Non-food contact surface improperly constructed. Unacceptable material used. Non-food contact surface or equipment improperly maintained and/or not properly sealed, raised, spaced or movable to allow accessibility for cleaning on all sides, above and underneath the unit.”
The he went and hid the C rating behind billboards so that it was not visible. The place is almost completely empty all the time, but at the few noisy parties he threw, no one eating there knew they were dining at a restaurant with a failing health grade because he hid it first behind billboards, then when that was exposed, he posted it with the “Sanitary Health Grade” part hidden.
Then the New York Post got wind of it and posted this story called “Mice to see you!”
Of course, he tried to lie AND blame the Health board claiming – “The inspector looked at every single bottle, and she found one fruit fly in a bottle of peach schnapps, and she gave me a $500 fine….These guys are ruining my business.”
Dude, what are fruit flies doing in your booze bottles? Could it be you’re just a dirty pig? Who has ONE fruit fly? You don’t get ONE fruit fly, they come in clusters, so nice try.
After many months he finally got it down to a B, but by then it was too late. He couldn’t make a splash at any of his other incarnations and now he has the worst and emptiest restaurant on Forest Hills’s restaurant row – Dee’s Pizza, Nick’s Bistro, Danny Brown, Pampas, etc. are all light years better, and that’s just within two blocks!
***Update – Finally, on April 18, 2012 he finally got an A. He was so happy he put it in five windows. He sure wasn’t proud of that C though was he? Let review from the NYC Health Board website:
12-02-2009 25 (C)
06-16-2011 92 (C)
07-08-2011 36 (C)
10-21-2011 52 (C)
11-05-2011 14 (B)
04-05-2012 31 (C)
Here’s what they found on that inspection, by the way (and this is all available on the NYC Health Board website)
Sanitary Violations
1) Raw, cooked or prepared food is adulterated, contaminated, cross-contaminated, or not discarded in accordance with HACCP plan.
2) Evidence of mice or live mice present in facility’s food and/or non-food areas.
3) Personal cleanliness inadequate. Outer garment soiled with possible contaminant. Effective hair restraint not worn in an area where food is prepared.
4) Food contact surface not properly washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any activity when contamination may have occurred.
5) Facility not vermin proof. Harborage or conditions conducive to attracting vermin to the premises and/or allowing vermin to exist.
6) Plumbing not properly installed or maintained; anti-siphonage or backflow prevention device not provided where required; equipment or floor not properly drained; sewage disposal system in disrepair or not functioning properly.
04-14-2012 ?? (A)
Boy he must have done some cleaning in a hurry! Did you catch the part in there about “Personal Cleanliness Inadequate. Outer garment soiled with possible contaminant?” Hilarious! That’s nothing, you should stand next to him – he stinks of armpits!
It does raise the question about how he could go from a C rating and 31 points to 13 or less in a matter of two weeks or so, when he was never able to do that for close on two full years (or maybe we just get results around here!) When he gets another C or B, lets see where he puts that on his walls:)
He makes too much noise, the neighbors despise him, and he sits there all by his lonesome surfing the Internet waiting for patrons that seldom come and even more rarely return.
But the biggest reason to boycott this place is his drunken, homophobic violence. One day when I walked by he shouted, “Hey Jay! I’m drunk as a goat!” and on another time he stumbled around with a bottle of Campari singing “Volare! Whoa-oh! And Campari! Whoa-oh-oh-oh!” Moreover he is a nuisance – encouraging patrons to “Make as much noise as you want,” and employing a huge sound system with either DJ or Karaoke mics. The Community Board, the cops, and the Councilwoman’s office have all cast a jaundiced eye at his conduct (countless claims of noise and three for harassment.) He even once threatened a neighbor who complained about the noise that, “I’ll have someone follow you to the subway and push you in front of a train.”
To that I just say HAHAHAHAHA! Thanks for giving the cops notice who to go interview should anything happen to that person.
Then there is the video above, which shows him accosting the 19 y/o Russian kid who took the video above and busted him hiding the C rating sign. His vulgar homophobic rants show exactly how hideous a troglodyte he is. “Faggot Faggot F#@&ing Faggot!” he screams at the poor kid.
And this clown wants to serve you food.
Finally, look at these reviews on Zagats.com:
Florence C Middle Village – “I had my Husband’s 50th birthday Party here WOW what a disappointment! The owner was very unprofessional! When we had dinner I asked where was the bread the waitress said she couldn’t find it? I asked the owner he gave me 20 rolls for 50 people. I paid for an open bar $15 extra per person my party was from 7-11 he stopped serving drinks at 10:30! I ve never been so embarassed in my life. This restaurant is the biggest joke ever!!!!!!!!”
Published June 14, 2011
Robert C – “I chose the restaurant for my neices baby shower. The shower was on Sunday with the temp in the 90’s, we arrived at the place and the set up was not very attractive. The main complaint is that there was no air. The owner will say there is air but it is one unit in the back of the restaurant and they sat everyone in the front of the restaurant. People were so hot they had to leave early. Would not recommend to anyone and would neverreturn”
Published July 27, 2010
Margie F – “Had my daughter’s wedding. Chair covers and satchel placed on chairs when guests were already sitting down. Cake good but not decorated to the colors we wanted. Quoted me a price to stay 1 hour later, day of wedding tripled price. Bride served last. Staff unprofessional. Owner unprofessional, nasty, rude, obnoxious, constant yelling. Uncooperative. Nasty to guests. Asked for salmon, no salmon. Food not good. Should close down.”
Published May 26, 2010
Ana N – “One word: AWFUL!
The owner/chef is a sexist pig that made me & my husband feel very uncomfortable the whole dinner. Their “healthy” menu is total B.S. He adds tons of butter & heavy cream to EVERYTHING!!! He’s more interested entertaining his pals(which are regulars there; not too many new customers). He was very unprofessional, yelling at his staff in front of us – although his employees were more respectful, helpful &pleasant. Will not go back!”
Published March 13, 2010
Sexist pig! She nailed him!
TSP111 – I’ve been wanting to check this place out for a while. The decor was uncomfortably off and the place itself had a very peculiar vibe. The service was slow and not very professional. The chef/owner is quite the character. The food was fair to good and definitely tasted homemade however my advice based on the overall experience would be to stay home and cook for yourself.
Published March 2, 2010
There is one supportive testimonial – which is supposedly by his girlfriend.
“We won’t be sorry to see he back of him when his place finally dies the death it deserves,” said one neighbor, who was fed up with the ceaseless noise from the music and uncovered back patio area.
Anyway, eat there at your own risk. But as for Galik, don’t you go changing! You’re just too much fun the way you are! You may be a rotten scumbag…but you’re OUR little rotten scumbag!
“The thing to do with Russians is embarrass them. Laugh at them, right in their face. They can’t stand it, it drives them crazy. Ruthless people, they get what they deserve.” – Ian Fleming
