Dupont Diner Reopens After Reported Vermin Infestation

A Dupont Circle diner is back in business after a food safety and hygiene inspector reported a “heavy infestation of vermin,” according to the D.C. Department of Health.

Luna Grill and Diner at 1301 Connecticut Ave. NW reopened yesterday afternoon after the DOH official closed it Monday. The restaurant passed a follow-up health department inspection, allowing it to begin serving customers again.

The inspector on Monday found a “gross insanitary occurrence or condition that may endanger public health including but not limited to heavy infestation of vermin,” according to the agency. But DOH has yet to provide more details about what the inspector found.

Luna manager Jeff, who declined to give his last name, said the closure was an “unfortunate event” that had more to do with the restaurant not having its DOH paperwork in order than having a vermin problem.

The eatery didn’t have what the inspector considered a heavy vermin infestation, the manager said. Luna wasn’t “much of a mess” when the DOH official visited, Jeff noted.

The inspector’s findings didn’t “make much sense,” he said.

“We’ve never had any issue with the health department,” Jeff said.

Photo via Luna Grill and Diner