Shakaru, a reliable East Village destination for reasonably-priced sushi and Japanese fare for more than 20 years, has been temporarily shuttered by the health department.
An inspection, conducted March 1, revealed two “critical violations”: “evidence of rats or live rats present in facility’s food and/or non-food areas” and “wiping cloths soiled or not stored in sanitizing solution.” The restaurant was also marked for “conditions conducive to attracting vermin.”
A health department rep said the closure was temporary but indefinite, noting that the restaurant may request another inspection to reopen once it corrects the violations.
In the past four years, Sharaku’s inspections were in the B and A-grade ranges. A person who answered the phone at the Little Tokyo standby would only confirm that it was closed for the remainder of the week. The restaurant’s front door currently hosts a sign reading “We are temporarily closed for renovation.” It’s uncertain whether the satellite location of Angel’s Share, which is accessed via Sharaku, is also closed.
