Queens, NY — Bilin, a restaurant located at 135-24 40 Road in Flushing, Queens, was closed by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) following a health inspection conducted on January 16, 2025. The establishment received a score of 129, which falls well above the 28-point threshold for a Grade C rating. Inspectors cited a critical violation related to food contact surfaces and equipment, and the closure was ordered to address conditions requiring immediate action.

What Inspectors Found

During the January 2025 inspection, DOHMH inspectors documented one critical violation at Bilin:

  • Food contact surfaces, refillable or reusable containers, or equipment were found to be improperly constructed, placed, or maintained. The citation also noted the use of unacceptable materials and the absence of a culinary sink or other acceptable method for washing food.

This violation, recorded under DOHMH code 05C, addresses fundamental food safety infrastructure. Food contact surfaces — including cutting boards, prep tables, utensils, and any equipment that comes into direct contact with food — must be constructed of smooth, nonporous, and easily cleanable materials. When these surfaces are improperly maintained or made from unacceptable materials, they can harbor bacteria and other contaminants that may transfer to food served to customers.

The absence of a culinary sink or equivalent method for washing food is a separate but related concern. Fresh produce, fruits, and other items that require rinsing before preparation must be washed in a designated area that is separate from handwashing and dishwashing sinks. Without this equipment, the establishment cannot ensure that food is properly cleaned before it reaches the customer.

While only one critical violation was formally cited during this inspection, the overall score of 129 points indicates that inspectors identified significant concerns during their evaluation. In the NYC restaurant grading system, each violation carries a point value based on its severity and the conditions observed. A score this high reflects conditions that the DOHMH determined warranted immediate closure.

Food Safety Context

New York City's restaurant inspection program operates under NYC Health Code Article 81, which establishes the sanitary standards all food service establishments must meet. The program is designed to protect public health by identifying conditions that could lead to foodborne illness and requiring restaurants to correct them.

The requirement for properly constructed food contact surfaces aligns with the FDA Food Code, which specifies that equipment and utensils must be made of safe, durable, corrosion-resistant, and nonabsorbent materials. These standards exist because improperly maintained surfaces are a recognized vector for cross-contamination. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, contaminated surfaces and equipment are among the contributing factors in foodborne illness outbreaks.

The FDA Food Code also requires that food establishments provide adequate facilities for washing raw foods. Dedicated culinary sinks help prevent cross-contamination between raw produce and other items, and their absence creates a gap in the food safety chain that can put consumers at risk.

When DOHMH orders an establishment closed, the restaurant must correct all cited violations and pass a subsequent inspection before it may reopen to the public. This process ensures that conditions posing a risk to public health are addressed before food service resumes.

Inspection History

No prior inspection history is available for Bilin in the DOHMH database. This may indicate that the January 2025 inspection was the establishment's initial inspection, or that prior records are not reflected in the current dataset.

It is worth noting that this inspection was conducted on January 16, 2025, but the data was released by DOHMH on March 6, 2026. Readers should be aware of this gap when interpreting the information. The current operational status of the restaurant may differ from what is reflected in this inspection record.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City assigns letter grades to restaurants based on the total points accumulated during inspections. Lower scores indicate fewer or less severe violations:

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

Bilin's score of 129 places it in the Grade C range. Restaurants that receive a Grade C may request a re-inspection to improve their score. Until they achieve a passing grade, they are required to post a "Grade Pending" card.

Restaurants that are closed by DOHMH must address all violations and pass a follow-up inspection before resuming operations. The closure and inspection records are public information and can be reviewed through the DOHMH restaurant inspection database.

For consumers seeking information about restaurant inspection results in New York City, the DOHMH maintains a searchable online database where inspection scores, grades, and violation details are publicly available. This tool allows diners to make informed decisions about where they eat and to review the inspection history of any food service establishment in the city.

More About This Restaurant

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