New York, NY — Two Brooklyn restaurants received Grade B inspection scores on March 6, 2026, according to records from the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. The inspections, conducted as part of the city's ongoing restaurant grading program, identified critical food safety violations at a Church Avenue bakery and a Third Avenue pizzeria. The two establishments recorded an average score of 19 points, placing both squarely in the Grade B range.
The Inspections
Health inspectors visited La Baguette Shop, a bakery and desserts establishment located at 2705 Church Avenue in Brooklyn, and documented a score of 20 points. The inspection identified a critical violation related to juice packaging: juice packaged on the premises was found with no or incomplete labeling and no warning statement. Under NYC Health Code Article 81 and FDA Food Code guidelines, juices packaged in-house must carry proper labels that include required warning statements about potential health risks, particularly regarding unpasteurized products. This labeling requirement exists because improperly labeled juices can pose serious health risks to vulnerable populations, including children, the elderly, and individuals with compromised immune systems. La Baguette Shop's grade is currently listed as pending, meaning the establishment may choose to contest the results or undergo a re-inspection.
Inspectors also visited Nonno's Pizza, a pizzeria at 8816 Third Avenue in Brooklyn, which received a score of 18 points. The inspection documented multiple critical violations. Inspectors noted that food, supplies, or equipment were not adequately protected from potential sources of contamination during storage, preparation, and transport — a violation that was cited more than once during the visit. Additionally, the establishment was found lacking proper anti-siphonage or back-flow prevention devices where required, with equipment or floors not properly drained. Back-flow prevention is a key infrastructure requirement under the NYC Health Code, as improper drainage can allow contaminated water to flow back into clean water supplies used for food preparation. Nonno's Pizza grade is also listed as pending.
Common Patterns
Though only two restaurants were inspected with Grade B results on this date, several patterns are worth noting. Both establishments are located in Brooklyn, reflecting the borough's density of food service establishments and the Health Department's broad inspection coverage across neighborhoods. The violations recorded at both locations fall under the category of food protection — whether through proper labeling at La Baguette Shop or contamination prevention at Nonno's Pizza.
The cuisines represented — bakery products and pizza — are among the most common food service categories in Brooklyn. Both types of establishments handle high volumes of prepared food daily, making adherence to storage, labeling, and contamination prevention protocols particularly important. The critical violations at both locations centered on foundational food safety practices rather than issues like pest activity or temperature control, suggesting areas where staff training and procedural updates could help bring these establishments into fuller compliance.
It is also notable that both restaurants received grades listed as pending. This status indicates that the inspection results have not yet been finalized, and the establishments may request a re-inspection or adjudication hearing through the city's Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings.
What This Means for Diners
For diners in Brooklyn, these inspection results serve as a reminder that the city's restaurant grading system provides a transparent window into food safety conditions at local establishments. A Grade B score indicates that violations were identified and need to be corrected but do not constitute an immediate threat to public health. Restaurants receiving a B grade are required to post their grade card in a conspicuous location visible to customers before they enter.
Consumers can look up the full inspection history of any restaurant in New York City through the Department of Health's online restaurant inspection database. This resource provides detailed violation descriptions, inspection dates, and historical scores, allowing diners to make informed choices. The facility pages for both La Baguette Shop and Nonno's Pizza on NYCRestaurantInspections.com also provide accessible summaries of each establishment's inspection record.
Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades
New York City's restaurant grading system, established in 2010, assigns letter grades based on the total number of violation points recorded during an inspection. A score of 0 to 13 points earns a Grade A, indicating the restaurant is in substantial compliance with food safety regulations. A score of 14 to 27 points results in a Grade B, indicating that violations were found that require corrective action. A score of 28 points or more results in a Grade C, indicating more serious or widespread compliance issues.
Each violation carries a specific point value based on its severity and the condition in which it was found. Critical violations — such as those documented at both Brooklyn restaurants on March 6 — carry higher point values because they relate directly to practices that can contribute to foodborne illness. General violations, which involve issues like facility maintenance or record-keeping, carry lower point values.
Restaurants that receive a B or C grade on an initial inspection are entitled to a re-inspection, typically within a set timeframe. If the restaurant scores an A on the re-inspection, it can post the A grade. If the score remains a B or C, the restaurant may choose to post that grade or request a hearing. Throughout this process, the grade may be listed as pending.
For the most current inspection results and restaurant grades in New York City, diners can visit the NYC Department of Health's restaurant grading page or search individual establishments on NYCRestaurantInspections.com.