Manhattan, NY — Eleni's, a Greek restaurant located at 226 Third Avenue in Manhattan, received a score of 21 following a New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) inspection conducted on April 2, 2026. The score places the restaurant in the Grade B range, near the upper boundary of that classification. Inspection data was released by DOHMH on April 7, 2026.

What Inspectors Found

Inspectors documented one critical violation during the April inspection:

  • Code 04L: Evidence of mice or live mice identified in the establishment's food or non-food areas.

A score of 21 sits close to the Grade C threshold, which begins at 28 points. The single critical violation — rodent evidence — carries significant point weight under the DOHMH scoring system and is among the violations that health officials prioritize for correction.

No non-critical violations were recorded during this inspection cycle.

Food Safety Context

Rodent activity in food service establishments poses a recognized public health risk. Under NYC Health Code Article 81, restaurants are required to maintain their premises free of pests and to implement effective pest management measures. The FDA Food Code similarly identifies pest control as a foundational element of safe food handling, noting that rodents can contaminate food contact surfaces, equipment, and stored ingredients.

Evidence of mice — whether through droppings, gnaw marks, or other indicators — is classified as a critical violation because it represents a direct pathway for foodborne illness transmission. Establishments cited for this violation are typically required to correct the condition before a follow-up inspection is conducted.

A score of 21 is a passing result under city guidelines, but it reflects the severity of the documented condition. The Grade B classification spans 14 to 27 points, meaning Eleni's current score falls in the upper portion of that band.

Inspection History

Eleni's has maintained a generally favorable inspection record in prior cycles:

  • November 13, 2024: Score 13 (Grade A)
  • May 30, 2024: Score 24

The November 2024 inspection produced a Grade A result, the highest available designation. The May 2024 cycle recorded a score of 24, also in the Grade B range. The April 2026 result of 21 represents a continued pattern at the Grade B level, though the presence of a critical rodent violation distinguishes this cycle from the prior Grade A performance.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

DOHMH assigns letter grades based on inspection scores:

  • A: 0–13 points (fewest violations)
  • B: 14–27 points
  • C: 28 or more points

Scores are determined by the number and severity of violations identified during unannounced inspections. Critical violations — those most likely to contribute to foodborne illness — carry higher point values than non-critical violations.

Diners can view current and historical inspection records for any New York City restaurant through the DOHMH restaurant inspection search tool at nyc.gov. Inspection results reflect conditions observed on the date of inspection and are updated as new inspections are completed.

More About This Restaurant

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