Staten Island, NY — Garden Gourmet Cafe, located at 814 Forest Avenue, received a Grade C rating following a health inspection conducted on March 10, 2026. The coffee and tea establishment scored 62 points, placing it in the Grade C category under New York City's restaurant grading system. The Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) released the inspection data on March 12, 2026.

The inspection resulted in violations being cited, though the establishment was not closed by health officials. The cafe remains open to the public with the posted Grade C rating displayed as required by city regulations.

What Inspectors Found

During the March 10 inspection, DOHMH inspectors documented one non-critical violation at the establishment. The violation, coded as 09E under NYC Health Code Article 81, identified that a handwashing sign was not posted near or above the handwashing sink as required by food safety regulations.

NYC Health Code Article 81 requires food service establishments to post signage reminding employees to wash their hands. This requirement serves as a critical component of food safety protocols, as proper handwashing by food handlers is one of the most effective methods for preventing foodborne illness transmission.

The FDA Food Code, which forms the basis for many local health regulations including New York City's, emphasizes that handwashing signage must be clearly visible to employees using designated handwashing facilities. These signs serve as constant reminders of proper hygiene practices during food preparation and service.

Food Safety Context

Handwashing signage requirements exist because proper hand hygiene represents a fundamental control point in preventing contamination of food products. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, inadequate handwashing by food workers contributes to approximately 89% of foodborne illness outbreaks in food service settings.

NYC Health Code Article 81 establishes comprehensive standards for food service establishment operations, including requirements for employee hygiene facilities and signage. Section 81.13 specifically addresses hand washing facilities and related requirements, including the posting of appropriate signage in languages understood by all food workers.

While the violation documented at Garden Gourmet Cafe was classified as non-critical, meaning it did not pose an immediate threat to public health, the accumulation of points from multiple violations can result in lower grade assignments. The establishment's score of 62 points indicates that inspectors identified conditions requiring correction to meet city health standards.

Inspection History

This represents the first documented inspection record available for Garden Gourmet Cafe in the DOHMH public database. The establishment does not have prior inspection scores or violation citations on record with the city.

As a newly documented establishment in the inspection system, Garden Gourmet Cafe will be subject to regular unannounced inspections as part of the city's ongoing food safety monitoring program. NYC restaurants typically receive inspections at intervals determined by their previous inspection scores and violation history.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City's restaurant grading system assigns letter grades based on violation points accumulated during inspections. The grading scale operates as follows:

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

Inspections evaluate establishments across multiple categories including food temperature control, personal hygiene practices, facility maintenance, vermin control, and proper food sourcing. Each violation carries a specific point value, with critical violations related to foodborne illness risk receiving higher point assignments.

Establishments receiving Grade B or Grade C ratings have the option to request a re-inspection. If conditions improve and violation points decrease during the re-inspection, the establishment may qualify for a higher grade. The most recent grade must be posted in a location visible to customers entering the premises.

Restaurant owners are required to correct all cited violations and may face additional penalties for recurring violations or failure to address critical food safety issues. The DOHMH conducts follow-up inspections to verify that violations have been corrected.

Public Health Resources

Consumers can access current inspection records for any New York City food service establishment through the DOHMH website. The database provides violation details, inspection dates, and current grade assignments. Residents who observe potential health code violations at food service establishments can report concerns to 311.

The Department of Health and Mental Hygiene provides educational resources for food service workers and managers regarding proper food safety practices and compliance with NYC Health Code Article 81 requirements.

More About This Restaurant

View the full inspection history for Garden Gourmet Cafe including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.