Manhattan, NY — East Season Restaurant House, a Chinese restaurant at 244 Canal Street, received a score of 25 during a health inspection conducted on March 13, 2026, placing it in the Grade B range. The score falls just 2 points below the 27-point threshold separating Grade B from Grade C, representing one of the higher scores within the B category.
The inspection results, released by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) on March 16, 2026, documented one critical violation and one non-critical violation at the establishment.
What Inspectors Found
The critical violation cited during the inspection involved food, supplies, or equipment not being adequately protected from potential sources of contamination. Under violation code 06C, inspectors noted issues with how items were safeguarded during storage, preparation, transportation, display, or service. The citation also referenced condiments not being provided in single-service containers or dispensed directly by the vendor.
A non-critical violation was also recorded under code 10F, which pertains to non-food contact surfaces or equipment. Inspectors identified surfaces that were either made of unacceptable material, not kept clean, or not properly sealed, raised, spaced, or positioned to allow accessibility for cleaning on all sides and underneath the unit.
Food Safety Context
The critical violation cited at East Season Restaurant House relates directly to provisions outlined in NYC Health Code Article 81, which establishes standards for food protection in commercial food service establishments. The FDA Food Code similarly emphasizes that food must be protected from contamination at all stages of handling, including storage and display.
Contamination protection failures can expose food to environmental contaminants, cross-contact with allergens, or contact with unsanitary surfaces. Proper food protection practices — including covered storage, sneeze guards at service areas, and single-use condiment packaging — are foundational elements of food safety management in restaurant operations.
Inspection History
East Season Restaurant House's inspection record over the past several years shows notable score fluctuations:
- December 1, 2025: Score 33
- August 7, 2024: Score 11 (Grade A)
- January 29, 2024: Score 26
- December 29, 2022: Score 2
The restaurant earned an excellent score of 2 in late 2022 and maintained strong performance with a Grade A score of 11 in August 2024. However, its January 2024 inspection yielded a 26, and its December 2025 inspection resulted in a score of 33, which falls in the Grade C range. The current score of 25 represents a modest improvement from that December result but remains elevated compared to the restaurant's stronger performances.
Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades
New York City's restaurant grading system, administered by DOHMH, assigns letter grades based on inspection scores:
- Grade A: 0–13 points
- Grade B: 14–27 points
- Grade C: 28 or more points
Lower scores indicate fewer violations and reflect stronger compliance with health code requirements. East Season Restaurant House's current score of 25 places it near the upper boundary of the Grade B range.
Residents can view the full inspection details for any New York City restaurant through the DOHMH restaurant inspection database, available online. Inspection scores, violation details, and grade histories are public record and updated regularly as new data becomes available.
More About This Restaurant
View the full inspection history for East Season Restaurant House including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.