Manhattan, NY — Effy's Cafe & Patisserie, a vegetarian restaurant located at 552 Columbus Avenue on Manhattan's Upper West Side, was closed by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) following an inspection conducted on June 29, 2026. Inspectors cited one critical violation and recorded a score of 46, placing the establishment in Grade C territory under the city's letter-grading system. The inspection data was released publicly on July 1, 2026.

The restaurant subsequently passed a reinspection and was reopened on July 1, 2026, the same day the original inspection results became publicly available.

What Inspectors Found

Inspectors cited a single critical violation during the June 29 inspection: Code 04N, which covers the presence of filth flies or food/refuse/sewage-associated flies and other nuisance pests in food and non-food areas of an establishment. Under this code, filth flies are defined to include house flies, blow flies, bottle flies, flesh flies, drain flies, Phorid flies, and fruit flies.

No non-critical violations were recorded alongside the critical finding.

A score of 46 reflects a significant number of penalty points assessed during the inspection. Under NYC's grading framework, a score in this range results in a Grade C designation, indicating that multiple areas of concern were identified. The single violation code cited carries substantial point weight when pest activity is documented in areas where food is prepared, stored, or served.

Because the violation required immediate action, DOHMH exercised its authority to close the establishment until the conditions could be addressed and verified as corrected through a follow-up inspection.

Food Safety Context

The presence of filth flies in a food service establishment is treated as a critical concern under both the NYC Health Code and the FDA Food Code. NYC Health Code Article 81 governs food service establishments operating within the five boroughs and requires that premises be kept free from pest activity that could lead to food contamination.

Flies, particularly those classified under the filth fly category, are capable of transferring pathogens from contaminated surfaces or waste to food, food contact surfaces, and preparation areas. Their presence may indicate underlying sanitation issues including standing moisture, organic debris, improperly sealed waste receptacles, or drain conditions that provide a breeding environment.

Under NYC Health Code provisions, DOHMH inspectors are authorized to order an immediate closure when conditions are identified that pose an imminent public health risk. Establishments are permitted to address the conditions and request a reinspection. If the follow-up inspection confirms compliance, the establishment may reopen.

In this case, Effy's Cafe & Patisserie addressed the cited condition and passed reinspection within two days of the initial closure.

Inspection History

The available inspection record for this location includes the following entries:

  • June 29, 2026: Score 46 (Grade C, 28+ points) — Closed by DOHMH; one critical violation cited (Code 04N, pest flies)
  • July 1, 2026: Score 2 (Grade Z) — Reopened

The reinspection score of 2 reflects a near-clean result, with only minor points assessed. The Grade Z designation is assigned by DOHMH under specific administrative circumstances, such as when a grade card posting requirement is under review or when a score is pending formal adjudication. The underlying numerical score of 2 falls within the range that would ordinarily qualify for a Grade A under standard grading.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City requires all letter-graded food service establishments to post their most recent grade in a window visible from the street. Grades are determined by the score an establishment receives during a DOHMH inspection:

  • Grade A: Score of 0 to 13 points — considered in compliance with city health standards
  • Grade B: Score of 14 to 27 points — indicates violations were found but at a moderate level
  • Grade C: Score of 28 or more points — indicates more significant violations were documented

Scores are calculated by assigning penalty points to each violation found during an unannounced inspection. Critical violations, which pose a greater risk of foodborne illness, carry higher point values than non-critical violations. Establishments that receive a score above 13 on their initial inspection are typically re-inspected within a set period, and the better of the two scores may be used for grading purposes.

Consumers can look up the full inspection history for any NYC restaurant through the DOHMH Restaurant Inspection Results database, available at the city's open data portal. Inspection records include violation codes, scores, dates, and any closure actions taken.

Effy's Cafe & Patisserie is located at 552 Columbus Avenue, Manhattan, NY 10024, and operates as a vegetarian establishment.

More About This Restaurant

View the full inspection history for Effy's Cafe & Patisserie including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.