Mouse droppings found on food at Rossodisera in Hampstead

Rossodisera, in Heath Street, Hampstead, was told “urgent improvement” was necessary after scoring 0/5 in a scathing food hygiene report.

The restaurant was inspected on October 12 by the environmental health team at Camden Council.

The restaurant owner said the issues were “immediately sorted”.

According to a report seen by the Ham&High, mouse droppings were found on work surfaces on and near food.

Our reporter was pleased during her visit earlier this year. This is the most famous dish from Le Marche, Olive e Cremini fritti all’ascolana (Image: Frankie Lister-Fell))

Inspectors wrote there was an “imminent risk” of food not being “adequately protected” against contamination from rodents at the time of the inspection.

They said there was “evidence” suggesting that the same vac packer was being used for preparing raw and cooked foods.

The report stated there was an “imminent risk to public health” which identified “no confidence in management”.

Owner Igor Iacopini said he believes the issues discovered were a “combination of unfortunate circumstances” – mainly stemming from a major drain problem at the time.

He said: “[There was] a massive leak in the basement, followed by electric main board repairs in the weeks before the inspection.”

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The owner said that the idea of filthy kitchens and “reckless management” often associated with zero-rated restaurants could not be “furthest from the reality of Rossodisera”.

Mr Iacopini said that he and staff at the family restaurant were “left in shock” after the inspection and he is adamant that once reinspected the eatery will achieve a higher score.

He said: “It is frustrating knowing that after all the work and efforts made over the past months and the total dedication to the project, still the restaurant was in need of ‘urgent improvements’.

“All of us at Rossodisera rolled our sleeves and have been doing our level best during the days and weeks following the inspection, carrying out all the structural improvements and implementing the due diligence and record keeping indicated by the health officers.”

Inside the Covent Garden branch (Image: Frankie Lister-Fell)

A new inspection has been requested, but it can be several weeks away before inspectors revisit and provide an updated score.

Rossodisera was among four local eateries within Camden that scored among the lowest possible food standard ratings in recent months