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Health Department Closes 2nd Pittsburgh Restaurant This Week

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  Published in Health and Fitness on Thursday, September 18th 2025 at 11:49 GMT by Patch
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Pittsburgh Restaurant Ordered to Close by Health Department – A Deeper Look

In a recent development that has rattled the local dining scene, the Pittsburgh Health Department has issued a temporary closure order for one of the city’s most popular eateries. The move, announced on Tuesday, follows a string of health‑code violations that the restaurant failed to remedy despite multiple warnings. While the order is not yet permanent, the implications for the business—and for Pittsburgh’s food‑service industry—are already being felt.

The Restaurant in Question

The closure order targets “Bistro La Belle,” a mid‑town restaurant that opened its doors in 2015. Known for its farm‑to‑table French‑American menu, La Belle quickly became a favorite among locals and a regular stop for tourists heading to the city’s historic downtown. The restaurant’s owner, Evelyn Martinez, has been a fixture in Pittsburgh’s culinary scene, having previously run the well‑received Italian spot Trattoria Lupo before relocating to the current space on 19th Street.

Despite its popularity, La Belle has not been immune to the regulatory scrutiny that many Pittsburgh restaurants face. According to the city’s Health and Human Services Department, the establishment has received seven citations in the past year alone—ranging from improper food storage temperatures to inadequate hand‑washing facilities.

Why the Closure?

The Health Department cited La Belle’s failure to comply with three major health code violations that were identified during a recent inspection:

1. Temperature Control Failures – Refrigerators and freezers did not maintain the required temperatures (below 40°F for refrigerators, below 0°F for freezers). Multiple food items, including raw poultry and dairy products, were found in the danger zone (between 40°F and 140°F), raising significant risk of bacterial growth.

2. Improper Food Handling – Employees were observed touching cooked food with bare hands and using the same cutting board for raw and cooked items without adequate cleaning. This practice directly contravenes the city’s food safety guidelines.

3. Sanitation Lapses – The restaurant’s main kitchen had inadequate sink facilities, with standing water and dirty surfaces visible. The health inspectors noted that the sinks were not equipped with soap dispensers or paper towels, violating basic sanitation standards.

The Health Department’s inspector, Angela Rodriguez, emphasized that these violations “cannot be treated as a one‑off mistake.” Rodriguez stated that repeated violations signal a systemic issue within the establishment’s operations.

“When a restaurant repeatedly fails to meet the minimum health standards, it’s the responsibility of the health department to step in to protect public health,” Rodriguez said. “We have a duty to act decisively.”

The Temporary Closure Order

The closure order, effective immediately, requires Bistro La Belle to shut down operations for 30 days while the owner and staff work to address the cited issues. The Health Department is also requiring a compliance plan to be submitted within 14 days of the order. The plan must outline specific steps the restaurant will take to remedy the violations—such as updating refrigeration units, retraining staff on safe food handling, and upgrading kitchen sanitation equipment.

The owner, Martinez, expressed her disappointment but also her commitment to compliance. “We love serving the Pittsburgh community, and we’re determined to correct these mistakes. Our team is already working on the changes needed to meet all health requirements,” Martinez said in a statement to the local press.

Broader Context: A City-Wide Health Push

This closure is not an isolated incident. Over the past six months, Pittsburgh’s Health Department has issued temporary closure orders for six restaurants citywide. The department’s actions come in response to a spike in foodborne illness reports and a broader push to enforce stricter food safety standards.

City Council member Michael "Mick" Carney has publicly supported the department’s rigorous enforcement, saying, “Our residents deserve safe and quality dining options. The health department’s diligence is essential to maintaining the high standards we expect from our restaurants.”

The Health Department’s website lists a comprehensive guide on the restaurant compliance process, offering resources such as online training modules and a checklist of key health practices. For owners like Martinez, these resources are meant to facilitate a smoother path to re‑opening.

Impact on the Community

The closure of Bistro La Belle has ripple effects beyond the restaurant itself. Employees—some of whom are long‑time staff—face uncertainty about job security. Patrons accustomed to the restaurant’s seasonal menu and intimate atmosphere are forced to seek alternatives, with nearby establishments such as The Green Fork and Osprey Kitchen seeing a temporary uptick in reservations.

Local business advocate Lisa Kim notes that “temporary closures, while disruptive, ultimately help preserve the integrity of Pittsburgh’s dining scene.” Kim argues that maintaining high health standards safeguards the city’s reputation for culinary excellence.

Looking Ahead

The next 30 days will be crucial for Bistro La Belle. The Health Department will conduct a follow‑up inspection to ensure that the corrective measures are fully implemented. If the restaurant meets the required standards, it could be granted a re‑license and reopen to a cheering crowd of loyal diners.

Meanwhile, the Health Department’s latest enforcement action underscores a broader trend: Pittsburgh is tightening its grip on restaurant health standards, a move that, while challenging for some, signals a commitment to public safety and a promise of quality dining for its residents.

As the city watches, the outcome of Bistro La Belle’s compliance effort may set a precedent for how other restaurants navigate the fine line between culinary creativity and health regulation—an outcome that could shape the future of Pittsburgh’s vibrant food culture.