Covid Code Crew Returns To Anthony’s

Two months after shutting down a Halloween party at Anthony’s Ocean View over Covid-19 public-health violations, the city’s inspection task force marched back to the scene — this time, by invitation.

“Anthony’s actually sent us an RSVP to their New Year’s Eve party,” said City Health Director Maritza Bond. ​“It seems like they really wanted to let us know they were being safe.”

When Bond and the rest of the team stopped by a little before 9 p.m., they found zero Covid violations. ​“We had no issues at all,” Bond said.

That was one of nine stops the task force made at New Haven nightclubs and restaurants on New Year’s Eve in order to prevent Covid-spreader events from occurring. The crew found that each location was in full compliance with the latest state guidelines.

“Thank God!” said Bond.

Outside the Hall of Records at 200 Orange St. at 6:30, the task force gathered to finalize their action plan for the evening. The team was composed of Health Director Bond, Building Official Jim Turcio, and senior health inspector Brian Wnek, and was accompanied by police officers Vincent DeStefanis and Evan Kelly. 

These three and a rotating cast of other city officials have been regularly inspecting businesses since the summer. Thursday evening’s objective was different. Rather than spending time going down a thorough checklist of Covid, health, and fire code requirements, the team aimed to monitor potential occupancy violations by taking a quick scan of dining areas, speaking with the owner to make sure they were being mindful of state guidelines, and getting out without causing too much of a fuss.

“We got several tips coming in from concerned residents based on ads for events,” said Bond. ​“Everyone’s tired of Covid. We’re tired of Covid, and we want to leave it in 2020. We just want to make sure that people remain patient. We recognize that it’s tough for people not to gather or see family members as they’d like to.”

As of Nov. 6, Connecticut has been in Phase 2.1 of its reopening plan. The team wanted to make sure that businesses were meeting current guidelines: namely, a maximum of 50 percent indoor seating capacity, six-foot spacing between tables, all drinks being served with food, patrons wearing masks when not sitting down, and, even if there was music being played, no dancing in close proximity with other guests.

Basically all the rules that, say, Anthony’s was violating at its Halloween party.

“We’re prepared to shut down businesses on the spot if that’s necessary,” said Bond. ​“We’re hoping that we don’t have to shut anything down. We’re looking for a positive ending here.”

The task force’s first stops were all near the intersection of College and Crown streets. Trailed by cameras from WTNH and NBC Connecticut, Bond, Turcio, and Wnek walked in the front door of Pacifico as the two police officers waited outside. Inside, servers wore plastic top hats and upbeat tunes played through the speakers. The bar was closed, more than half the tables sat empty, and all of the wait staff and cooks were wearing masks.

“We had over 100 reservations coming in over the course of the night,” said Pacifico co-owner Moe Gad. ​“Not all at once, though, of course. We’ve never had a New Year’s like this before, but by this point, we’re used to it, I guess.”

Pleased with the result, Bond led the task force out the front door after barely a few minutes of inspection. ​“Happy New Year! Stay safe, and thank you for following all the rules,” she said to Gad. ​“That was a great visit. No issues at all. None.”

The situation at neighboring South Bay Mediterranean Kitchen was similar. Outdoor tables were set, and two space heaters warmed the sidewalk patio, but nobody was seated outside in the just-above-freezing temperatures. However, the indoor setup was property spaced out, and the task force spent just over a minute inside before giving the all clear. 

Across Crown Street, Jack’s Steakhouse and Bar showed promise, with multiple signs encouraging mask use posted right by the entrance. The bar area was empty, as were more than half the tables.

“I’m just going to be having a couple drinks with some friends here at Jack’s tonight,” said Chris Franclin (pictured) as he waited outside the front entrance. ​“I trust that they’re being safe in there.”

And they were. The task force emerged with a thumbs up before rounding the corner onto Crown Street.

Next up was BAR, where only one table had anyone seated in the cavernous bar room.

“The pizza here is great! Don’t shut this place down,” quipped a patron as he left carrying three pies. ​“Just don’t let them see the back room.”

After scanning the main dining areas (spaced out, masks on, all good) the manager led the task force into that back room, typically used for dancing,which was a firm no-go under the current guidelines. 

After a few minutes, the team was still in the back room. 

“Should we go check on them?’ asked Officer DeStefanis.

A minute later, the task force emerged with good news. ​“Another great visit!” said Bond. ​“We were just checking out the Dumpsters in the back of the building.”

50s on Fitch off of Whalley Avenue in Westville was next on the list. On June 22, the city shut down the restaurant and bar after an event that drew an estimated 1,000 people to the establishment and its parking lot. Upon the team’s arrival Thursday, the shutters were drawn on the indoor seating area, but plenty of noise traveled into the medium-full parking lot. The outdoor seating area was empty. 

The task force entered the front door. A minute went by. Then five minutes.

“Do you think they’re OK in there?” said DiVincentis.

Bond emerged soon after. ​“They’re following the rules exactly,” she reported. Thank God!”

“It was crazy — as soon as we walked in, everyone put their masks on immediately, even if they were in the middle of eating food,” Bond said. ​“And listen, now you can hear them cheering inside as we’re leaving.”

“I’m so glad that we’re all good there,” said Turcio.

Earlier this week, city officials had received notice of a party being advertised at Terminal 110, a nightclub located at 240 Sargent Dr. Flyers for the ​“2020 NYE Extravaganza” advertised two floors of entertainment, guest DJs, a buffet, and complementary champagne.

The scene inside on Thursday was tamer. The parking lot was nearly empty. Just a few guests milled around the outside of the dance floor. The team needed barely a minute to give the all clear.

“Man, there were only, like, five people in there,” said Turcio. ​“I guess everyone just wants 2020 out.”

Next door at Brazi’s, though, the parking lot was packed. 

“This is definitely the busiest place we’ve been to,” said Turcio. ​“We’ve never had any issues with them before, though.”

The team entered through the front door and scanned the building for a sign indicating the maximum capacity. Despite the crowds, half the tables still appeared to be empty, and nobody was seated at the bar.

“I felt super safe in there,” said a man who identified himself as John Gallagher as he left the restaurant. ​“They have partitions between tables. Everyone is spaced out. They’re great. They always adhere to guidelines and stuff. There was nobody at the bar, either. Yeah, I felt really safe.”

A few minutes later, the task force emerged in agreement. 

“I’m glad they passed tonight,” said Bond on her way out.

Anthony’s was the final stop. Bond acknowledged that it had ​“been a problem place in the past,” but tonight looked different. The parking lot was less than a third full. The inspection took just a few minutes.

“This is great!” said Bond. ​“I’m so happy to report that we’ve had a successful night, and every single business passed. I’m so glad that everyone’s following the rules and staying safe. We didn’t have a single issue.”

The Covid-19 task force plans to continue regular inspections into 2021.

“I’m also happy to see what these places are getting business,” Bond added. ​“That’s what we want. We want businesses to thrive.”