New York, NY — Health inspectors cited five Manhattan restaurants with Grade B scores on March 25, 2026, with cold food temperature control emerging as the most frequently documented violation across the day's inspections. The five establishments recorded an average score of 19 points, all falling within the 14-to-27-point range that defines a Grade B under New York City's restaurant inspection system.
The Inspections
In Midtown, Blake & Todd at 7 West 47th Street received a score of 20, with inspectors documenting two critical violations related to temperature control of food. Specifically, inspectors noted cold TCS (time/temperature control for safety) food items held above 41°F — a standard established under the FDA Food Code to limit bacterial growth. A secondary violation cited non-food contact surfaces made of unacceptable material or not kept clean. The sandwich shop's grade is listed as pending.
On the Lower East Side, Lucky Grand Bakery at 280 Grand Street also received a score of 20. Inspectors found conditions conducive to rodents, insects, or other pests, citing the establishment under NYC Health Code Article 81 for failing to maintain a harborage-free environment. The Chinese bakery is currently operating under a Z grade, indicating the score is being contested or re-inspected.
On the Upper West Side, Durar Cafe at 996 Amsterdam Avenue received a score of 20 following a critical violation for the improper use or storage of sanitized equipment and utensils, including in-use food dispensing utensils. Proper handling of sanitized equipment is required to prevent cross-contamination of ready-to-eat foods. The coffee and tea establishment is also carrying a Z grade.
On the Upper East Side, Noglu at 21 East 90th Street recorded the day's lowest score among Grade B establishments — 18 points — with inspectors documenting cold TCS food temperature violations. Like Blake & Todd, inspectors cited food items held above the required 41°F threshold. The bakery and desserts shop is operating under a Z grade while the inspection result is under review.
In Chelsea, Joey Bats Cafe at 409 West 15th Street received a score of 17, the lowest of the day's cited restaurants and closest to an A-grade threshold. Inspectors documented two violations: non-food contact surfaces not kept clean or made of acceptable materials, and conditions conducive to pest harborage. The Portuguese café currently holds an N grade, indicating this is a new establishment receiving its first scored inspection.
Common Patterns
Temperature control violations appeared most frequently across March 25 inspections, cited at two of the five restaurants — Blake & Todd and Noglu. Both establishments were flagged for cold TCS food items held above 41°F, the threshold set by the FDA Food Code beyond which harmful bacterial growth becomes a concern. These violations are among the most common recorded by the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) citywide and are classified as critical because they represent a potential — though not immediate — public health risk if left uncorrected.
Pest harborage conditions appeared at two establishments as well, noted at both Lucky Grand Bakery and Joey Bats Cafe. Inspectors assess these conditions under NYC Health Code Article 81, which requires food service establishments to eliminate and prevent conditions that attract or shelter rodents and insects.
The five restaurants cited on this date span a range of cuisine types — sandwiches, Chinese baked goods, coffee and tea, bakery and desserts, and Portuguese food — suggesting the day's findings were not concentrated in any single category of establishment. Geographically, the restaurants were spread across four distinct Manhattan neighborhoods: Midtown, the Lower East Side, the Upper West Side, the Upper East Side, and Chelsea.
What This Means for Diners
A Grade B does not indicate that a restaurant is unsafe to visit. Under the NYC inspection system, a B grade means violations were identified that require correction but do not constitute an immediate hazard to public health. Restaurants receiving a B grade are typically re-inspected within a defined window, and many successfully improve to an A at their next scored inspection.
Diners who wish to review inspection records for any restaurant in New York City can do so through the DOHMH's public inspection database. Each facility page on NYCRestaurantInspections.com also provides a complete violation history, making it straightforward to track a restaurant's inspection record over time.
Grades marked as Z indicate that the restaurant has requested an administrative tribunal hearing to contest the score. During this period, the restaurant is permitted to display its most recent prior grade. A grade of N, as recorded at Joey Bats Cafe, indicates the establishment has not yet received a graded inspection at this location — this is common for newer restaurants still moving through the initial inspection cycle.
Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades
New York City's restaurant letter grading system, administered by the DOHMH, assigns scores based on the number and severity of violations identified during unannounced inspections. The scoring thresholds are as follows:
- Grade A: 0–13 points — indicates a high level of compliance with food safety regulations
- Grade B: 14–27 points — indicates violations that require correction but do not pose an immediate public health hazard
- Grade C: 28 or more points — indicates more significant violations that may require closer regulatory attention
Critical violations — those with the potential to contribute to foodborne illness if not corrected — carry higher point values than general violations. Inspectors assess dozens of factors, from food storage temperatures and employee hygiene to facility sanitation and pest control, all governed by NYC Health Code Article 81 and informed by FDA Food Code standards.
Restaurants are required to post their current grade card in a location visible from the street, allowing diners to make informed decisions before entering. Complete inspection data, including violation descriptions and scores, is publicly available and updated following each inspection cycle.