New York, NY — Five Manhattan restaurants received Grade B inspection scores on February 27, 2026, according to New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene records. The restaurants, spanning cuisines from vegan Asian fusion to classic New York pizza, scored between 14 and 19 points on the city's inspection scale. The average score among the five establishments was 16.2 points, placing them squarely in the Grade B range.
The Inspections
Franchia Vegan Cafe, an Asian fusion restaurant located at 12 Park Avenue, recorded the highest score of the group at 19 points. Inspectors documented critical violations related to improper cold holding temperatures. Specifically, cold time and temperature controlled for safety (TCS) food items were found held above 41°F, a threshold established under NYC Health Code Article 81 and the FDA Food Code to prevent bacterial growth. Proper cold holding is particularly important for perishable items, as temperatures above the mandated limits can allow pathogens to multiply to dangerous levels.
John's Pizzeria, a well-known pizzeria at 278 Bleecker Street in Greenwich Village, received a score of 18 points. The inspection cited a critical violation for evidence of mice in the establishment's food or non-food areas. Rodent activity is among the most commonly cited critical violations in New York City restaurant inspections, and the Health Department requires establishments to maintain facilities free of vermin as a fundamental condition of operation.
Altamirano's Italian Ristorante, an Italian restaurant at 1479 York Avenue on the Upper East Side, scored 15 points. Inspectors noted that non-food contact surfaces or equipment were made of unacceptable material, were not kept clean, or were not properly sealed or raised. While not classified as a critical violation, these conditions can contribute to unsanitary environments if left unaddressed.
Round K, a coffee and tea establishment at 78 Canal Street in Lower Manhattan, also received a score of 15 points. The violation documented at Round K involved deficiencies in dishwashing and ware washing procedures, including inadequate cleaning and sanitizing of tableware, dishes, utensils, and equipment. Proper sanitization of food contact surfaces is a core requirement under both the NYC Health Code and the FDA Food Code.
Singularity, an American restaurant at 1717 Broadway near Columbus Circle, received the lowest score of the group at 14 points, just one point above the Grade A threshold. Inspectors cited a critical violation for food, supplies, or equipment not being protected from potential sources of contamination during storage, preparation, or transport. This type of violation addresses the fundamental food safety principle of protecting items from cross-contamination.
Common Patterns
Several patterns emerge from the February 27 inspection results. Three of the five restaurants — Franchia Vegan Cafe, John's Pizzeria, and Singularity — received critical violations, which the Health Department defines as conditions most likely to contribute to foodborne illness. The critical violations documented on this date covered distinct categories: improper temperature control, pest activity, and inadequate food protection.
The five restaurants represent a broad cross-section of Manhattan's dining landscape, covering Asian fusion, pizza, Italian, coffee and tea, and American cuisines. No single cuisine type dominated the results. Geographically, the establishments were spread across Manhattan, from Canal Street in Lower Manhattan to Broadway near Midtown, with stops on the Upper East Side, Park Avenue South, and Greenwich Village.
Notably, the scores clustered in a narrow range. Four of the five restaurants scored between 14 and 15 points, while only Franchia Vegan Cafe's score of 19 represented a more significant departure. This clustering suggests that most of these establishments were close to maintaining Grade A status and may need only targeted corrections to improve their scores.
What This Means for Diners
A Grade B score indicates that a restaurant had violations that need correction but does not signal an immediate public health hazard. The NYC Department of Health uses its inspection and grading system to provide transparency, giving diners the information they need to make informed choices about where to eat.
Diners can look up any restaurant's inspection history, including specific violations and scores, through the NYC Department of Health's online restaurant inspection portal. Grade cards are also required to be posted at the entrance of every restaurant, making it easy to check a restaurant's current standing before entering.
It is worth noting that inspection scores represent a snapshot of conditions on a single day. Restaurants that receive Grade B scores are given the opportunity to correct violations and may request a re-inspection. Many establishments improve their scores significantly after addressing documented issues.
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 documented during an inspection. A score of 0 to 13 points earns a Grade A, indicating the fewest violations. A score of 14 to 27 points results in a Grade B, while a score of 28 points or more results in a Grade C.
Critical violations, which carry higher point values, involve conditions that are most likely to contribute to foodborne illness, such as improper food temperatures, pest activity, or cross-contamination risks. General violations, which carry fewer points, address issues like facility maintenance, equipment condition, and operational procedures.
Restaurants that do not achieve a Grade A on their initial inspection enter a re-inspection cycle. The Health Department conducts a follow-up inspection, and the restaurant's final grade is based on the better of the two scores. All inspection results are public record and available through the NYC Open Data portal and the Health Department's website.
For the most current inspection information on any Manhattan restaurant, diners can visit the NYC Department of Health restaurant grades search page or check individual facility pages on NYCRestaurantInspections.com.