Queens, NY — Basil Brick Oven, an Italian restaurant located at 28-17 Astoria Boulevard in Astoria, Queens, received a score of 51 during a New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) inspection conducted on April 3, 2026. The score places the restaurant in the Grade C range. Inspection data was released by DOHMH on April 6, 2026.

The restaurant was not closed as a result of this inspection. One violation was cited, and no critical violations were recorded.

What Inspectors Found

Inspectors documented one non-critical violation during the April visit:

Code 09E: A handwashing sign was not posted near or above the handwashing sink, as required.

No critical violations involving food temperature, contamination, pest activity, or employee hygiene practices were identified during this inspection cycle.

The single violation cited — the absence of a required handwashing reminder sign — is classified as non-critical under DOHMH guidelines, meaning it does not pose an immediate threat to public health. However, the numerical point value assigned to the violation contributed to the elevated total score of 51, which falls within the Grade C threshold.

Food Safety Context

Under NYC Health Code Article 81 and DOHMH grading guidelines, restaurants are required to prominently display handwashing signs at or near handwashing sinks accessible to food service workers. The requirement is aligned with FDA Food Code standards, which identify handwashing reminders as a component of a facility's overall food safety management system. The intent is to reinforce proper handwashing practices as a baseline measure for preventing foodborne illness transmission.

Point values assigned to individual violations are determined by DOHMH based on the potential public health risk associated with each violation type. A score of 51 resulting from a single non-critical violation is an uncommon outcome and may reflect penalty multipliers or repeat-violation scoring applied under DOHMH inspection protocols. The data released by DOHMH reflects the score as recorded at the time of inspection.

Restaurants have the right to request an administrative tribunal hearing to contest inspection findings. DOHMH posts grades and scores publicly following each completed inspection cycle.

Inspection History

Basil Brick Oven has a documented inspection history spanning several years. Prior scores on record include:

  • July 25, 2024: Score 12 (Grade A)
  • March 30, 2023: Score 10 (Grade A)
  • February 1, 2023: Score 19
  • January 27, 2022: Score 12 (Grade A)
  • January 18, 2022: Score 16

The restaurant received Grade A scores on three inspections between 2022 and 2024. The April 2026 result represents a significant departure from that recent record.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

DOHMH assigns letter grades to restaurants following inspections based on the total points accumulated for violations found:

  • Grade A: Score of 0 to 13 points
  • Grade B: Score of 14 to 27 points
  • Grade C: Score of 28 points or higher

Restaurants that receive a Grade B or C on an initial inspection are typically reinspected within a set period. The grade posted in a restaurant's window must reflect the most recent completed inspection cycle.

Consumers can look up inspection records for any permitted food service establishment in New York City through the DOHMH restaurant inspection results database, available at nyc.gov. Records include scores, violation codes, and grade history for all inspections on file.

More About This Restaurant

View the full inspection history for Basil Brick Oven including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.