IL PICCOLO BUFALO

A C grade, or a pending grade card (Z/P), keeps customers away and invites a compliance inspection — the score must come down at the next cycle.

Critical items (temperature abuse, vermin, contamination) drive the score and are re-checked first at re-inspection.

Roach, rodent, or fly evidence — the violations most likely to escalate to closure when they recur.

A missed hearing imposes the maximum penalty automatically. Recent defaults can be reopened within 75 days — one chance, then the judgment stands.

Scheduled OATH hearings — answer early or appear; an unanswered summons becomes a default at the maximum penalty.