Did you know that over the last month 10 restaurants in North Dorchester have failed their inspection and another 13 eating establishments failed their inspection in South Dorchester?

Most of the violations seem pretty minor, but some of the inspection comments might cause a bit more concern:

“Management not overseeing employees and safe food handling practices.”
– Pho Hoa Restaurant

“Clean shelving of droppings.”
– Johnny’s Pizza & Subs

“Shrimp and pork being defrosted in the same bucket at room temperature.”
– Ba Le Fields Corner

“Interior metal of ice machine with rust like residues.”
– The Olive Garden Italian Restaurant

“At time of inspection 1 staff member doing food prep without proper hair restraint.”
– New Garden Restaurant

You can also search the Mayor’s Food Court for health inspection information for restaurants throughout Boston.

Remember, most restaurant owners are doing their best to play by the rules and thankfully the city inspectors are there to weed out those who aren’t.

The folks at the Boston Winery guide you through the entire process of wine making from crushing the grapes through bottling.   Call 617-265-WINE (9463) for more information.

An interesting side note, the upcoming War of ’04 cable television series about the Irish mob in Boston is currently being filmed there.

View More Events

yelp: “With huge portions that blow your mind, everyone was fat and happy by the time we were done!”

Boston Restaurant Talk: “Both the young and the old come here to eat, and to enjoy the great overall laid-back feel of the place.”

Ashmont Grill

Boston Magazine: “The Ashmont Grill is a casual, warm, and uncommonly good restaurant you’ll be wishing were in your neighborhood, too.”

yelp:  “The service is decent and there’s always eye candy. What more could you ask for?”

Zagat:  “Good comfort food in casual trendy atmosphere. Romantic back garden with heat and blankets for chilly evenings.”

CitySearch: “I particularly like that they offer mostly organic wines and that they try as much as possible to be local about their ingredients.”

However, views are mixed on just how badly Dorchester businesses are feeling the pinch.

“I don’t think we’ve felt the full effect yet . . . People haven’t said that business is terrible, but if the economic slowdown continues we might.”
–Evelyn Darling, Fields Corner Main Street Program Director

“We’re struggling right now . . . The economy is really doing us small business guys in.”
–Marc Stallworth, owner Courthouse Convenience store on Washington Street

“I think that we’re pretty much holding steady . . . Most of the storefronts are getting rented and are not open for long. Overall, people are still investing in this neighborhood.”
–Dan Larner, St. Mark’s Area Main Streets Director

Read the Full Dorchester Reporter Article

There is still evidence of new businesses opening in Dorchester. Search for new business licenses issued in North Dorchester and South Dorchester over the last few weeks (please note these listings also include reissued licenses for existing businesses).

Have a question for Dorchester Knows? E-mail it to tidbits@bostonknows.com

Researchers proposed several different theories about why asthma rates are so high in Dorchester:

• African-Americans spend more time inside exposed to mold and bug droppings than their counterparts abroad.
• Blacks in less developed countries are exposed to more life-threatening diseases, helping to strengthen their immune systems.

To learn more about asthma prevention in Boston, check out the resources, programs and events produced by the Boston Urban Asthma Coalition or call the BUAC at 617.279.2271.

The Louis D. Brown Peace Institute was founded by Clementina Chery after her son Louis was killed in 1993. The mission of the organization is to promote peace and unity through a variety of programs to prevent violence and to provide support to victims of violence.

When you look at the Boston Globe’s map of the homicides in Boston over the last year, unfortunately, there is still much work to be done by organizations like the Louis D. Brown Peace Institute.

If you are unable to attend tonight’s fundraiser, please still consider making a donation by sending a check to :

Louis D. Brown Peace Institute
1452 Dorchester Avenue
2nd Floor
Dorchester, MA 02122

View More Events

Have a question for Dorchester Knows? E-mail it to tidbits@bostonknows.com