Manhattan, NY — Cut By Wolfgang Puck, the upscale steakhouse located at 99 Church Street in Lower Manhattan, received a Grade C score of 34 during a health inspection conducted on February 19, 2026, according to New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) records released on February 23, 2026.

The score of 34 places the restaurant in Grade C territory, the lowest grade designation in New York City's restaurant grading system. This marks a significant decline from the restaurant's most recent prior inspection in November 2025, when it scored 27 points.

What Inspectors Found

During the February 19 inspection, DOHMH inspectors documented one non-critical violation at the establishment:

A required hand washing sign was not posted near or above a hand washing sink, a violation of code 09E under New York City health inspection standards.

The score of 34 reflects the total points assessed during the inspection. Under the city's scoring system, higher point totals indicate more serious or numerous violations, with each violation carrying a specific point value based on its severity and the conditions observed at the time of inspection.

It is worth noting that while the inspection record lists no critical violations and one non-critical violation in the current data release, the total score of 34 suggests additional condition-based points were assessed during the inspection. DOHMH scoring accounts for the severity of conditions observed, and the full detailed breakdown may reflect multiple observed conditions that contributed to the overall point total.

Food Safety Context

Hand washing signage requirements are established under NYC Health Code Article 81, which governs food service establishment operations in the city. The FDA Food Code similarly recommends that food service establishments post clearly visible reminders for employees to wash hands, as proper hand hygiene is a foundational element of food safety practices.

Hand washing stations and associated signage serve as critical reminders for food service workers, particularly during high-volume service periods. The requirement exists to reinforce compliance with hand washing protocols that help prevent the transmission of foodborne illness.

New York City's restaurant inspection program, operated by DOHMH, conducts unannounced inspections of the city's approximately 27,000 restaurants at least once per year. Inspectors evaluate food handling, temperature control, personal hygiene, facility maintenance, and pest activity, among other factors.

Inspection History

Cut By Wolfgang Puck's recent inspection history at this location shows variable scores over the past several years:

  • November 18, 2025: Score 27
  • October 18, 2025: Score 0
  • August 13, 2024: Score 11 (Grade A)
  • December 18, 2023: Score 42

The restaurant earned a clean score of 0 in October 2025 and a Grade A score of 11 in August 2024, indicating periods of strong compliance. However, the current score of 34 represents the second time in recent history the restaurant has scored in Grade C range, following a score of 42 in December 2023.

The November 2025 score of 27 placed the restaurant at the upper boundary of Grade B territory, suggesting a gradual upward trend in point totals leading into the most recent inspection.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City assigns letter grades to restaurants based on inspection scores:

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

Lower scores indicate fewer or less severe violations. Restaurants that receive a Grade B or C on an initial inspection have the opportunity to request a re-inspection. The grade posted at the restaurant reflects the best score achieved during the current inspection cycle.

Restaurants that dispute their scores may also request a hearing before the city's Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings (OATH). Until the adjudication process is complete, a restaurant may display a "Grade Pending" card rather than the letter grade.

Consumers can review inspection results for any New York City restaurant through the DOHMH public database, which is updated regularly as new inspection data becomes available. Full inspection details for Cut By Wolfgang Puck and all city restaurants are accessible through the NYC Open Data portal and the DOHMH restaurant inspection search tool.

More About This Restaurant

View the full inspection history for Cut By Wolfgang Puck including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.