Manhattan, NY — Elim Bistro, a sandwich restaurant at 11 Park Place in Lower Manhattan, received a Grade B following a health inspection conducted March 17, 2026. The restaurant scored 27 points — the highest score still within the Grade B range and one point below the threshold at which a Grade C is issued. The data was released by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) on March 20, 2026.

What Inspectors Found

Inspectors documented one non-critical violation during the March inspection. The citation — Code 08C — noted that a pesticide or toxic chemical was improperly used or stored, specifically involving an unprotected, unlocked bait station on the premises.

Under NYC Health Code Article 81 and federal EPA guidelines, pesticides used in food service establishments must be properly labeled, stored securely, and applied only by licensed individuals. Unlocked or unprotected bait stations present a risk of accidental contact with food, food-contact surfaces, or employees. While classified as non-critical, improper pesticide handling is a regulated area that can escalate in severity if left unaddressed.

No critical violations — those most directly linked to foodborne illness risk — were identified during this inspection.

Food Safety Context

NYC Health Code Article 81 governs food safety standards for all licensed food service establishments in the city. The FDA Food Code, which New York State incorporates by reference, further defines requirements for pest control, chemical storage, and sanitation practices.

A score of 27 at the top of the Grade B band indicates that, while no critical food handling failures were found, the accumulation of non-critical violations brought the score to its upper boundary. DOHMH assigns points based on the nature and severity of each violation; a single non-critical item in this inspection accounted for the full point total, suggesting the violation carried significant weight under the scoring rubric.

Inspection History

Elim Bistro has a varied inspection record over the past several years:

  • 2025-10-28: Score 17 (Grade B)
  • 2024-07-24: Score 22 (Grade B)
  • 2024-03-12: Score not available
  • 2024-01-25: Score 42 (Grade C)
  • 2023-04-05: Score 33 (Grade C)
  • 2023-02-03: Score 27 (Grade B)

The restaurant has received Grade C scores on two prior occasions and has fluctuated across the B and C ranges. The most recent inspection represents an improvement over those lower marks, though the score of 27 leaves little margin before the Grade C threshold.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

DOHMH issues letter grades based on inspection scores following an initial or re-inspection:

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

Restaurants that do not receive an A on their initial inspection may request a re-inspection before a final grade is issued. Posted grades reflect the most recent completed inspection cycle.

Current inspection records for New York City restaurants are publicly available through the DOHMH's NYC Restaurant Inspection Results database at nyc.gov.

More About This Restaurant

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