Dojo East: Rat Refuge

Vegetarian eatery Dojo East was shuttered after health inspectors found it infested with vermin, said a health department spokesperson. Authorities cited the Japanese restaurant, tucked along bustling St. Mark’s Place in the East Village, with 61 violations including everything from poor plumbing to improperly stored food. A man who answered Dojo’s phone said the restaurant had been “misjudged”. “I’m not sure we should discuss about this,” said the man, who declined to give his name. “I cannot talk about it, but it’s nothing really bad.” A sign posted on the restaurant window read, “We are sorry, we are temporarily closed for new improved and much more for our customers.”—Mike McPhate