Manhattan, NY — Earthbar, a health-focused American restaurant at 97 Greenwich Avenue in Manhattan's West Village, received a score of 50 during a New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) inspection conducted on April 3, 2026. That score places the establishment in Grade C territory, the lowest passing threshold under the city's restaurant grading system. Inspection data was made publicly available on April 6, 2026.

What Inspectors Found

Inspectors documented two violations during the April inspection — one critical and one non-critical.

The critical violation, cited under Code 02G, involved cold temperature-controlled for safety (TCS) food items held above the required 41°F threshold. Proper cold holding temperatures are a foundational requirement in food safety, as bacterial growth in perishable foods accelerates significantly above that mark. Inspectors identified this issue as critical because it directly relates to the risk of foodborne illness.

The non-critical violation, cited under Code 10F, involved non-food contact surfaces or equipment found to be made of unacceptable materials, not kept clean, or not properly sealed, raised, or spaced to allow adequate cleaning access. While classified as non-critical — meaning it does not present an immediate health hazard — this type of violation indicates a maintenance concern that can contribute to unsanitary conditions over time if left unaddressed.

Food Safety Context

Cold holding requirements are addressed under NYC Health Code Article 81 and align with standards established in the FDA Food Code. Under these regulations, TCS foods — which include items such as dairy products, cooked proteins, cut vegetables, and certain prepared foods — must be maintained at or below 41°F to limit bacterial growth.

Violations of cold holding standards are among the most common critical citations issued by DOHMH inspectors. When foods are held at improper temperatures for extended periods, pathogens such as Salmonella, Listeria, and Staphylococcus aureus can multiply to levels capable of causing illness in consumers.

The non-food contact surface violation is governed by the same Article 81 framework, which sets expectations for facility cleanliness and equipment condition across the full kitchen environment.

Inspection History

Earthbar's most recent inspection prior to April 2026 was recorded in January of this year:

  • January 15, 2026: Score 91 (Grade N)

The January inspection carried a Grade N designation, which DOHMH assigns when a restaurant is undergoing its initial or re-inspection cycle and a final grade has not yet been issued. A score of 91 at that visit reflects a significantly higher point total than the April result, though the two inspections are not directly comparable without additional context about what violations were cited at each visit.

The April score of 50 represents the establishment's most recent graded result on public record.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City's restaurant letter grading system is administered by DOHMH and assigns scores based on the number and severity of violations found during unannounced inspections. Lower scores indicate fewer violations; higher scores reflect more. The grading scale is as follows:

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

A score of 50 places Earthbar well within Grade C range. Restaurants that receive a grade below A on an initial inspection are typically subject to a re-inspection, at which point a final letter grade is issued and must be posted publicly at the establishment.

Consumers can look up current grades and full inspection histories for any NYC restaurant through the DOHMH online database at the city's official open data portal. Inspection records are updated as new data becomes available following each inspection cycle.

More About This Restaurant

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