A Marylebone wine bar was closed down after mouse droppings were found behind the bar and in the kitchen.
Inspectors found evidence of ‘significant mice activity’ at Clarette on Blandford Street, as well as contamination of food.
The bar, which is led by Alexandra Petit-Mentzelopoulos, from the French wine family Chateau Margaux, was closed down voluntarily after being handed a food hygiene rating of 0 out of 5.
In a scathing report, the environmental safety officer wrote: ‘At the time of our visit, conditions fell far below the minimum standards required under the Food Hygiene Regulations 2013.
‘There was significant mouse activity at the premises and evidence of actual contamination of food in the kitchen.’
During the inspection, food hygiene officers found packages of food gnawed at by mice and ‘nesting material’ in vacuum bags.
Broken glass and mouse droppings were also found at the first floor bar, with droppings also spotted on food preparation services.
Inspectors further noted that faeces falling from high level shelving onto surfaces that had been cleaned.
The report continued: ‘You have failed to protect food from contamination by not carrying out work to prevent pest activity in the premises as advised by your pest control company, and failing to maintain the premises in a pest free condition.’
It added: ‘You must find your food safety procedures and ensure that you are implementing them.’
Clarette were unable to provide evidence of any pest control on the premises since July 2023.
Westminster Times has approached the restaurant for comment.