Stolichnaya Bakery next to Whole Foods in West Hollywood has been closed by the L.A. County Department of Health due to a vermin infestation, according to a notice posted on their doors.
“I just noticed that this disgusting place has finally been cited and shut down!” resident Ginny Rankin wrote on NextDoor. “I walk past all the time on my way to Whole Foods and all during the pandemic, everyone working there either wasn’t wearing a mask, or had the mask under their chin. No gloves either. This was at the height of the pandemic. No surprise at all that they had rats 😖”
The county’s inspection report from Nov. 13 found a cockroach in the restroom, improperly refrigerated foods and a lack of proper handwashing facilities.
Why is it closed for that? Man, in Indonesia we literally live with cockroaches. Every restaurant you go to is crawling with them. Street food is even worse, they use ingredients that are way past expired, like chicken that’s been dead for a month, that’s what you actually get when buying “Ayam Geprek”. The places are damp and overrun with rats and roaches, and you just eat amidst them. This bakery is way better compared to those in Indonesia.
Last time I walked by there were still cakes in the display case! At least I never saw people bringing their animals in there. Many times Whole Foods resembles a kennel.
I have been shopping there for years. They have always been very friendly to me. Perhaps because I understand Russian culture a little, and that this is NOT a Whole Foods. When I’ve asked about a pastry I was unfamiliar with, they are excited to explain it. A common occurrence in culinary establishments from other countries — the people are interested to talk about their culture through food. I always walk out with a huge bag of tasty goodies. The breads and pastries are very authentically Russian/Eastern European. Likely so are their food storage practices, which are not always on… Read more »
UPDATE: I just read the health dept report. It is pretty disgusting — more than one roach, and a lot of other really bad violations. They should know better. I sincerely hope they reopen, but definitely need to clean up their act.
* FYI the link above to the report does not work. Go to this link, click “Facility Closure List”, then search for “Stolichnaya”
https://ehservices.publichealth.lacounty.gov
Yikes! Just go to whole foods or Pavilions.
Always had very very rude treatment there the several times I’ve attempted to patronize that place and come out with something mediocre after having been given a lot of attitude by their staff. I think they don’t like any customers that aren’t Eastern European or Russian. So glad to see that they’re getting what they deserve after such a long history of being hostile to the community. They should close and give an opportunity to a BIPOC or LGBT or trans owned business to give minority business owners a welcomed to opportunity in the City. It is high time at… Read more »
If you are friendly to them they are friendly to you😊. Patronize several of these Russian owned businesses for specific unusual items and they are always helpful. But if you come with an entitled attitude they can be a bit gruff. 🙄
Most of the commenters here would never be able to survive traveling in rural Europe. With a staff of babushkas they turn out delicious pastries with the grande domed Princess Cake covered with green marzipan and filled with buttercream and raspberry. Their apple tarts are also delice. Hopefully all will be resolved.
Yeah they’ve been shutdown for well over a month.
I’ve always been leery of eating anything from here. I’ve walked in a time or two but there was always something about the place that made me leave empty handed. It didn’t seem clean or fresh to me. I never went in again, nor would I.
Gross.