DCist was alarmed to see Corduroy on the D.C. Department of Health’s February Food Closure List. The closure of the popular restaurant took place on Feb. 24, with the restaurant re-opening later that same day. The only other establishment to be closed in February was New Star Market in Northeast, shut down for (among other things) operating without a license and evidence of rodents inside the establishment.

Corduroy has been lauded by local foodies for some time. And it appears to be the only three-star restaurant to have been recently shut down by the Department of Health. To be fair to Corduroy, the main reason for the restaurant’s shutdown was most likely the broken garbage disposal. Major equipment breakdown, unlike smaller issues, can result in strong penalities. Still, DCist wonders whether Chef Tom Power has taken care of the “unclean food contact surfaces” and uncovered food in the refrigerator.

Going through the Department of Health shutdown archives is also an eye-opener. Did you know that Wok & Roll in Chinatown was shut down twice in November 2004 for “evidence of rodents” and “basic inadequate sanitation”? Scary, considering the sushi on the menu. And in June 2004, Downtown’s Les Halles was shut down with an extremely low sanitation rating of 38% — for infractions such as “improper temperatures of potentially hazardous foods” and “uncovered and unprotected food on display.” Hmm. Maybe its best to take Tyler Cowen’s advice and avoid Department of Health websites, although in the words of Cowen, they do “have useful information on names and addresses.”