I'm sure people are aware of the video that emerged a few weeks ago showing rats cavorting in a taco bell here in Manhattan. Since then, the New York restaurant hygiene people have been increasingly aggressive in shutting down restaurants for suspected infestation. The Starbucks on the first floor of my firm's building, for example, was shut down just two weeks ago, and I saw a hamburger place get the bright red poster too.

The other day, however, a hot chocolate stand shut down for the same reason decided to fight back. Right underneath the notice from the city was a printed note accusing the health inspectors of being "overzealous", unneccesarily shutting down their store for infractions that amounted to nothing more than a failure to use plastic spoons and gloves. The poster promised that the shop would soon be re-opened.

I noticed today that the explanatory note is gone. Without having done the research, I suspect the hygiene department had something to do with this. Does anyone have a sense of where I might find out if you are permitted to try to publicly explain your closure? Normatively, I'm of the view that there's nothing wrong with it, but I can see why the city might object.

I'm planning on looking into it today, but if people have leads, that would be great.