Veda, the modern Indian bistro on Chestnut Street in Rittenhouse Square, landed in hot water with city inspectors this week after a routine visit turned up a long list of sanitation problems and equipment failures. The Philadelphia health department’s latest check found issues ranging from food held at risky temperatures to broken refrigeration and missing tools needed to monitor sanitizer levels.
What inspectors recorded
During the March 11 inspection, officials logged a mix of critical and noncritical violations. Ready-to-eat foods including ras malai, yogurt sauce, ranch and cheesecake were found being held between 55°F and 59°F, well above the safe cold-holding mark, and a chlorine sanitizer concentration tested at 200 ppm, higher than the typically required 50–100 ppm. Inspectors also noted malfunctioning temperature gauges, open foods on display without sneeze guards, and cakes sitting uncovered until staff put covers on them during the visit, according to the inspection report on the Philadelphia health department website.
Inspectors further flagged a series of storage and equipment issues. Some food in the walk-in cooler was stored less than six inches off the floor, shelving showed signs of rust, an under-counter refrigerator was not working, and another refrigeration unit could not keep food at 41°F. They also reported grease and food residue on microwaves and counters, no test strips available to check sanitizer strength, and milk crates pressed into service to support equipment, as reported by WhatNow.
Background on Veda
Veda operates at 1920 Chestnut St. in Rittenhouse and bills itself as a modern Indian bistro that puts a contemporary spin on classic dishes and cocktails. It has been part of the Center City dining landscape for several years, according to a review in The Philadelphia Inquirer.
License risk and next steps
Following the inspection, the health department ordered Veda to correct the listed violations and warned that ongoing problems could result in the loss of the restaurant’s health license. Inspectors also remade the sanitizer solution on-site during the visit. The official report details the corrective steps the restaurant was instructed to take, and the case typically triggers follow-up checks to confirm compliance, per the Philadelphia health department website.
What diners should know
WhatNow reports that it reached out to Veda for comment and notes that the inspection findings reflect conditions on the day of the visit, not necessarily the restaurant’s current status. Diners who want to keep tabs on any follow-up inspections can search the city’s online database for updates. This story will be updated if the restaurant responds, according to WhatNow.
