Brooklyn, NY — Creme Cuisine, a Caribbean restaurant located at 1031 East 92 Street in Brooklyn, was closed by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) following an inspection conducted on February 27, 2026. The establishment received a score of 51, well above the 28-point threshold that triggers a C grade under the city's restaurant grading system. This marks the second time in approximately six months that the restaurant has been closed by health inspectors.

What Inspectors Found

During the February 27 inspection, DOHMH inspectors cited the restaurant for conditions related to pest harborage. Specifically, the establishment was found not to be free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects, or other pests, a non-critical violation recorded under code 08A.

While the inspection report lists only one non-critical violation and zero critical violations, the overall score of 51 indicates that the conditions documented were assessed as significant under the city's weighted scoring system. The DOHMH scoring framework assigns point values based on the severity and scope of each condition observed. A single violation category can result in a high point total when the condition is widespread or poses a substantial concern for public health.

The DOHMH noted that violations requiring immediate action were addressed at the time of the inspection. However, the establishment was closed pending further compliance measures.

Food Safety Context

Pest harborage violations are among the most commonly cited issues in New York City restaurant inspections. Under NYC Health Code Article 81, food service establishments are required to maintain their premises in a condition that prevents the entry and breeding of pests including rodents, cockroaches, and flies. The FDA Food Code similarly requires that food establishments be designed, constructed, and maintained to prevent pest entry and nesting.

Conditions conducive to pests can include gaps in walls or flooring, improper food storage, inadequate waste disposal, and insufficient cleaning protocols. When inspectors identify such conditions, they assess the extent and location of the harborage to determine the appropriate point value and enforcement action.

A closure order is issued when the DOHMH determines that conditions at a food establishment present a public health hazard that requires immediate resolution. To reopen, the establishment must address all cited conditions and pass a subsequent inspection.

Inspection History

Creme Cuisine's recent inspection record shows a pattern of fluctuating scores and repeated enforcement actions over the past several years:

  • February 27, 2026: Score of 51, closed by DOHMH
  • December 26, 2025: Score of 28
  • August 29, 2025: Score of 0 (Grade Z — indicating a re-inspection or administrative grade)
  • August 26, 2025: Score of 58, closed by DOHMH
  • February 21, 2024: Score of 25 (Grade B)
  • January 26, 2024: Score of 46
  • November 15, 2022: Score of 27

The restaurant was previously closed in August 2025 after receiving a score of 58. It subsequently passed a follow-up inspection with a score of 0 on August 29, 2025, allowing it to resume operations. The December 2025 inspection resulted in a score of 28, which falls at the lower boundary of the C grade range.

The February 2026 closure represents the second time in six months the establishment has been shut down by the health department. The restaurant's inspection history shows scores ranging from 0 to 58 over the past three years, with multiple inspections resulting in scores above the Grade B threshold of 27 points.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City's restaurant grading system, administered by the DOHMH, assigns letter grades based on the total violation points accumulated during an inspection:

  • Grade A: 0 to 13 points — demonstrates strong compliance with food safety regulations
  • Grade B: 14 to 27 points — indicates moderate violations that require attention
  • Grade C: 28 or more points — indicates significant violations requiring corrective action

Creme Cuisine's score of 51 places it well into the C grade range. Restaurants that receive a grade of B or C may request an adjudicatory hearing with the DOHMH's Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings (OATH) and are typically subject to a re-inspection.

Data and Public Records

The inspection data referenced in this article was collected by the DOHMH on February 27, 2026, and released publicly on March 2, 2026. Inspection results are public record and are made available through the NYC Open Data portal. Readers should note that inspection scores represent a snapshot of conditions at the time of the inspection and may not reflect the current state of the establishment.

Consumers seeking current inspection results for any New York City restaurant can visit the DOHMH restaurant inspection search page or access data through the NYC Open Data platform. Additional information about food safety regulations and the city's restaurant grading system is available through the DOHMH website.

More About This Restaurant

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