Manhattan, NY — Aria West Village, an Italian restaurant at 14 Bedford Street, received a score of 29 during a New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) inspection conducted on March 3, 2026, placing it in Grade C territory. Inspectors documented one critical violation and one non-critical violation during the visit.

The inspection data was released by DOHMH on March 6, 2026.

What Inspectors Found

The critical violation cited during the inspection involved food, supplies, or equipment not being protected from potential sources of contamination during storage, preparation, transportation, display, or service. The citation also noted that condiments were not in single-service containers or dispensed directly by the vendor. This violation falls under DOHMH code 06C and is classified as critical because it presents a direct risk to consumer health.

Inspectors also documented a non-critical violation under code 08A, noting that the establishment was not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects, or other pests. While classified as non-critical, pest-conducive conditions can escalate if not addressed and are frequently flagged during subsequent inspections.

The combined violations resulted in the score of 29, one point above the Grade C threshold of 28.

Food Safety Context

Under NYC Health Code Article 81, all food service establishments are required to protect food from contamination at every stage of handling, from storage through service. This aligns with FDA Food Code guidelines that require food contact surfaces and food items to be shielded from environmental contaminants, cross-contamination, and unsanitary conditions.

The contamination protection violation is among the most commonly cited critical violations in New York City restaurants. It can encompass a range of issues, from improper food storage near chemical supplies to uncovered food items in preparation areas. The specific mention of condiment handling indicates that self-service condiment stations or refillable containers were not meeting regulatory standards for preventing contamination.

Pest harborage conditions, while non-critical in this instance, are taken seriously by DOHMH because they can indicate broader sanitation issues. Establishments are expected to maintain environments that do not attract or sustain pest populations, including proper sealing of entry points, waste management, and elimination of standing water or food debris.

Inspection History

Aria West Village's inspection record shows a pattern of variable results over the past several years:

  • March 3, 2026: Score 29 (Grade C)
  • November 13, 2024: Score 19 (Grade B)
  • June 6, 2024: Score not recorded
  • June 5, 2024: Score 19
  • February 2, 2023: Score 0
  • January 31, 2023: Score 55, closed by DOHMH
  • December 1, 2022: Score 32 (Grade C)
  • June 25, 2022: Score 0

The restaurant's history includes a previous closure in January 2023 when it received a score of 55, and a prior Grade C in December 2022 with a score of 32. The establishment achieved scores of 0 on two occasions, in February 2023 and June 2022, indicating inspections with no violations documented. Its most recent prior inspection in November 2024 yielded a Grade B score of 19.

The current Grade C score of 29 represents a decline from the Grade B performance recorded in late 2024.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City's restaurant grading system, administered by DOHMH, assigns letter grades based on violation point totals:

  • Grade A: 0-13 points
  • Grade B: 14-27 points
  • Grade C: 28 or more points

Lower scores indicate fewer or less severe violations. Critical violations carry higher point values than general (non-critical) violations. Restaurants that receive a Grade B or C on an initial inspection may request a re-inspection, during which they have the opportunity to correct violations and potentially achieve a higher grade.

Grade cards must be posted at the restaurant entrance where they are visible to the public.

Consumers can look up any restaurant's inspection history, including specific violations, through the DOHMH restaurant inspection database available at the NYC Open Data portal. Aria West Village's full inspection record is publicly accessible and is updated as new inspection data becomes available.

More About This Restaurant

View the full inspection history for Aria West Village including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.