Manhattan, NY — Exquisite Vibez Restaurant Bar & Lounge, a Caribbean restaurant located at 2308 AC Powell Boulevard in Harlem, received a score of 43 during a health inspection conducted on March 17, 2026, resulting in a Grade C rating. The inspection identified ventilation deficiencies at the establishment, continuing a pattern of elevated scores documented over the past year.
The inspection data was released by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) on March 19, 2026.
What Inspectors Found
During the March 17 inspection, one non-critical violation was documented at the restaurant. Inspectors cited the establishment under violation code 10D for inadequate ventilation. Specifically, the inspection noted that mechanical or natural ventilation was not provided, was inadequate, improperly installed, in disrepair, or failed to prevent and control excessive build-up of grease, heat, steam condensation, vapors, odors, smoke, or fumes.
While only one violation was formally recorded in the available data, the total score of 43 points indicates that additional violations may have been documented during the inspection. Under the DOHMH scoring system, each violation carries a specific point value, and the cumulative total determines the restaurant's letter grade.
The action taken by DOHMH was to cite the violations found during the inspection.
Food Safety Context
Proper ventilation in commercial kitchens is a food safety requirement addressed under NYC Health Code Article 81 and the FDA Food Code. Adequate ventilation systems serve multiple functions in restaurant environments: they remove airborne grease particles that can accumulate on surfaces and equipment, control heat levels that can affect food storage temperatures, and prevent the build-up of steam and condensation that can promote bacterial growth.
Ventilation failures can also create uncomfortable or hazardous working conditions for kitchen staff and may contribute to fire risks when grease accumulates in ductwork and on cooking surfaces. The FDA Food Code specifies that ventilation systems must be sufficient to keep walls and ceilings free of condensation and to remove cooking fumes and vapors effectively.
Inspection History
The March 2026 inspection continues a trend of elevated scores for Exquisite Vibez Restaurant Bar & Lounge. A review of the restaurant's inspection history shows fluctuating performance over the past several years:
- January 6, 2026: Score 36
- October 21, 2025: Score not available
- September 10, 2025: Score 41 (Grade C)
- June 26, 2025: Score 19
- February 25, 2025: Score 40 (Grade C)
- September 23, 2024: Score 66
- November 16, 2023: Score 12 (Grade A)
The restaurant earned a Grade A with a score of 12 in November 2023, indicating full compliance at that time. However, subsequent inspections have recorded significantly higher scores. The establishment has now received three Grade C scores since February 2025, with scores of 40, 41, and 43. The September 2024 inspection recorded a score of 66, the highest in the available history.
The June 2025 inspection, with a score of 19, was the only recent inspection where the restaurant scored within Grade B range, suggesting the establishment has the capacity to improve its compliance but has not sustained those improvements.
Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades
New York City's restaurant grading system, administered by DOHMH, assigns letter grades based on the total violation points accumulated during an inspection:
- Grade A: 0–13 points
- Grade B: 14–27 points
- Grade C: 28 or more points
Lower scores indicate fewer or less severe violations. Restaurants that receive a Grade B or C on an initial inspection may request a re-inspection. The letter grade must be posted in a location visible to the public near the entrance of the establishment.
A Grade C indicates that significant violations were identified during the inspection. Restaurants receiving this grade are subject to adjudication hearings and may face fines.
Consumers can look up inspection results for any New York City restaurant through the DOHMH restaurant inspection database, available online. Inspection records, including violation details and scores, are public information and are updated as new inspections are completed.
For the most current inspection data on Exquisite Vibez Restaurant Bar & Lounge and other NYC restaurants, visit the DOHMH public restaurant inspection results page or NYCRestaurantInspections.com.
More About This Restaurant
View the full inspection history for Exquisite Vibez Restaurant Bar & Lounge including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.