when a B is bad

I buy two Groupons for a new sushi restaurant, Taijiyama.  $25 for $50 of food.  The Yelp reviews are good.

Alexander and I get to the restaurant around 7:30;  it’s empty.  The Japanese restaurant a block away is overflowing with people.  As we walk up Third Avenue, we hear people screaming from the bars.  Team USA just scored.  It’s a thrilling World Cup match against Portugal.

We get to the restaurant then argue over seating.  We both want to watch the game, which requires our sitting on the same side of the table.  This does not make my son happy.

We order five rolls and wait an inordinately long time. The two guys making the sushi are more interested in the game than in making our dinner.

Finally our meal arrives.  We both comment on how good everything is. 

But as we are walking out, I see the sign I hadn’t noticed walking in.  

It's not an A.   But really,  how bad can a B be?

I get home and look up the reasons for this restaurant's B rating.

Violations recorded in the following area (s) and a Notice of Violation issued at the reinspection conducted on 05/14/2014.

"Critical" violations are displayed in red.

Violation points: 25

Sanitary Violations

1) Hot food item not held at or above 140º F.

2) Evidence of mice or live mice present in facility's food and/or non-food areas.

3) Food contact surface not properly washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any activity when contamination may have occurred.

4) Facility not vermin proof. Harborage or conditions conducive to attracting vermin to the premises and/or allowing vermin to exist.

5) 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.

The lower the points the better.  0 to 13 is an A.  14 to 27 is a B.  And 28 or more is a C.  This restaurant is only two points away from a C.

I wonder if I can sell my second Groupon on Craig’s list?

Out of curiosity I look up the rating for the place I normally order sushi in from.  Kobe Sushi.  OMG.  57 points, C.  It's one of two restaurants on the entire Upper East Side with a C rating.

Time to find a new place to eat sushi.