Valley Forge Trattoria & Lounge — Restaurant in Schuylkill Township

Fail. Facility is maintaining shell-stock tags for the required 90 days. However, facility is not keeping current tags in the container of shell-stock. Tag was put in container during inspection by person in charge. Observed in-use wiping cloths along the cook line not being stored in sanitizer buckets. A sanitizer bucket was prepared by staff during inspection for keeping wiping cloths in. Observed 4 dented cans on the can storage rack. Dents in cans can potentially lead to botulism growth. Cans were removed to be returned to vendor. Food facility has a reminder statement on the menu for foods that are/or could be served raw or undercooked to the consumer; however, does not clearly disclose which foods the reminder statement applies to. An asterisk was put on the menus next to each item during inspection. Observed multiple temperature controlled for safety cakes, milk, whipped cream, and cannoli filling in the dessert refrigerator at 48 degrees F as opposed to 41 degrees F or below to prevent potential pathogen growth. Items were discarded during inspection by person in charge. Observed creme brulee, temperature controlled for safety food, in the walk-in refrigerator at 53 degrees F as opposed to 41 degrees F or below to prevent potential pathogen growth. Food must be cooled to 41 degrees F or below within 6 hours. Creme brulee was discarded during inspection by person in charge. Observed multiple temperature controlled for safety food items (chicken, steamed broccoli, heavy cream, veal, bolognese) at 47 degrees F as opposed to 41 degrees F or below to prevent potential pathogen growth in the small prep top cooler between the pizza oven and stove top. Items were discarded during inspection by person in charge. Observed the storage racks in the walk-in refrigerator to have a buildup of rust forming on them. Replace these to prevent rust from potentially getting into food. Observed a cutting board and knife in the hand sink in the kitchen. Hand sinks must be used for handwashing only and dishes cannot be kept in them. Items were removed by person in charge. Observed the small prep top between the pizza oven and stove top, and the dessert refrigerator to be operating at 47 degrees F and 48 degrees F as opposed to 41 degrees F or below to prevent potential pathogen growth of TCS (time/temperature controlled) foods. Repair these units and do not store food in them until they have been repaired and the temperature has been verified. Observed water dripping from the ceiling near the fans of the walk-in cooler. Water dripping from the ceiling can potentially contain harmful pathogens. Have the walk-in cooler receive maintenance to solve the issue. Observed the rubber door gasket in disrepair on the small prep top cooler next to the pizza oven. Replace this gasket. Facility disposes of dirty mop water in the stormwater runoff drain outside. Wastewater cannot be discarded here to help prevent potentially contaminating the environment. Wastewater must be discarded in a designated mop sink or in a toilet. Hand soap was not available at the bar hand sink during inspection. Hand soap must be available at all hand sinks at all times. Soap was provided. Observed the ice machine, a food contact surface, to have a buildup of biofilm along the ice shield and ice chute. To prevent potential contamination of ice the machine must be cleaned and sanitized. Observed a buildup of leftover deli meat on the deli slicer, a food contact surface. To prevent potential pathogen growth, the deli slicer must be cleaned and sanitized when it is not in use. Clean the following: Grease/food debris buildup from under the flat top and char grills; Grease/food debris buildup from under the deep fryer; Grease/food debris buildup from under the hot holding units; The mold buildup from the storage racks in the...

I have passed VF Trattoria & Lounge countless times throughout my life- we finally ended up going in last Friday night for dinner around 8:30pm. Our server, Mia, was extremely friendly and knowledgeable about the menu- certainly helpful when there are just too many good options to choose from. We shared the "Taste of Italy" and calamari appetizers. I have never seen a more delightfully prepared plate of cheese, meats, olives, tzatziki, and pita bread. The taste only matched the presentation- it was exceptionally good! I had the Valley Forge Special pizza and a side caesar- the pizza crust was cooked perfectly and it was not too doughy. My partner had the shrimp salad and very much enjoyed it as well. The atmosphere is really a big part of the joy in the experience- whether inside, on the deck, or in the garden area you will not be disappointed. As we were heading to our car, we were discussing how much we enjoyed the meal and a gentleman at a table outside asked us what we thought of the place. This gentleman turned out to be Kronis, the owner of the restaurant for the last 28 years. He was a pleasure to speak with and he showed us around the areas of the restaurant that we had not seen. The place is much bigger than you expect from the outside! All this being said, we are already looking forward to a return trip sometime in the coming weeks. I could easily see this becoming a date night or weekly place to eat. Please do yourself and your tastebuds a favor and get to the VF Trattoria & Lounge as soon...

My husband and I went here for our Anniversary because the menu looked good and the prices online were reasonable. When we got there there the prices were not even close to what was on their website. Some almost double! Most of the chicken dishes were about $28 online (little high for chicken). So I ordered the chicken special thinking the price would be about that. When the bill came my meal was $38!! The dish was chicken, roasted red peppers, broccoli rabe, and rigatoni in a white wine sauce. It was decent but nothing special. The chicken was bland and cut up and tossed with the pasta and veggies. My jaw dropped when I saw the price. I’m not sure how they can justify charging this amount for such a meal. The meals come with a salad, but they’re premade and nothing special. My husband had the caesar salad which was a bowl of lettuce and tomatoes with a side of dressing. Caesar salads should not have tomatoes and are usually pre-mixed. Diners beware the online pricing is not real and it’s probably a good idea to ask what the specials cost before ordering. The salmon dish online is $24 and $38 at the restaurant. This is usually my go to while eating out, but I thought this was a little high. The joke was on me when the chicken I ordered ending up being the same price. False advertisement as far as I’m concerned with the online prices verses the actual. We will not be back. A dinner out for two chicken meals came...