Manhattan, NY — Bjork Cafe & Bistro, a Scandinavian restaurant at 58 Park Avenue in Manhattan, received a Grade C score of 32 following a health inspection conducted on February 9, 2026. The inspection, carried out by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH), identified a critical violation related to improper hot food holding temperatures.

The inspection data was released by DOHMH on February 11, 2026.

What Inspectors Found

During the February 9 inspection, DOHMH inspectors documented one critical violation at the restaurant:

Hot TCS food not held at or above 140°F (Violation Code 02B): Inspectors found that hot time/temperature control for safety (TCS) food items were not being maintained at the required minimum temperature of 140°F. TCS foods include items such as cooked meats, dairy products, cooked vegetables, and other foods that require specific temperature controls to prevent bacterial growth.

No non-critical violations were cited during this inspection. The restaurant's score of 32 places it in the Grade C range, which applies to scores of 28 points or higher.

Food Safety Context

Proper hot holding temperatures are a fundamental requirement under both NYC Health Code Article 81 and the FDA Food Code. The 140°F threshold exists because the temperature range between 40°F and 140°F — commonly referred to as the "danger zone" — allows rapid multiplication of bacteria that can cause foodborne illness.

When hot TCS foods fall below 140°F, pathogens such as Clostridium perfringens, Staphylococcus aureus, and Bacillus cereus can multiply to levels capable of causing illness. The FDA Food Code specifies that hot foods must be held at 140°F or above to remain outside this critical temperature range.

Under the NYC Health Code, a critical violation of this nature carries significant point penalties, which contributed to the restaurant's elevated score of 32. Critical violations are those that DOHMH identifies as most likely to contribute directly to foodborne illness.

The action taken by DOHMH at the time of inspection was to cite the violations found. The restaurant was not closed as a result of this inspection.

Inspection History

The Grade C result represents a notable decline from Bjork Cafe & Bistro's prior inspection performance. The restaurant's recent inspection history shows the following:

  • November 20, 2024: Score of 15, Grade B
  • April 15, 2024: Score of 24, no grade issued
  • October 18, 2022: Score of 12, Grade A

The restaurant had maintained scores within the Grade A and Grade B ranges during its previous three inspections. The February 2026 score of 32 is the highest (worst) score recorded in the restaurant's recent inspection history and its first result in the Grade C range.

The progression from a Grade A score of 12 in 2022 to a Grade B score of 15 in late 2024, and now to a Grade C score of 32, indicates a pattern of increasing violations over the past several inspection cycles.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City assigns letter grades to restaurants based on the total number of violation points recorded during an inspection. The grading scale is as follows:

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

Restaurants that receive a Grade B or C on an initial inspection are entitled to a re-inspection, during which they may achieve a lower score and an improved grade. Grade cards must be posted at the restaurant's entrance where they are visible to the public.

Bjork Cafe & Bistro's score of 32 falls within the Grade C range. The restaurant may request a re-inspection or an adjudicatory hearing through DOHMH's Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings (OATH).

Public Resources

Consumers can look up the full inspection history for any New York City restaurant through DOHMH's public restaurant inspection database. The inspection data referenced in this article is drawn from publicly available DOHMH records.

Diners who wish to report food safety concerns at any NYC restaurant can contact DOHMH by calling 311 or by filing a complaint online through the NYC 311 website.

More About This Restaurant

View the full inspection history for Bjork Cafe & Bistro including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.