New York City recently inaugurated a ratings sytem for its restaurants, grading from A to C and below that, F for failed, which means closing the place.

The ratings indicate seven faults with the hygiene, according to Grub Street New York, a website that keeps track of dining out in the city, as follows:
1. cold food kept too warm,
2. raw, cooked or prepared food adulterated, contaminated, etc.,
3. sanitized equipment improperly used or stored,
4. plumbing not properly installed or maintained, floor not properly drained,
5. non-food surfaces improperly constructed, maintained, etc.,
6. proper sanitization not provided for utensil ware washing,
7. other general violations.

The rating system seems to work and to show no favoritism to places favored by the big shots and blow hards. That's a good sign.

Source: www.frommers.com