Manhattan, NY — Heritage Grand Bakery, Restaurant & Pizza Bar, located at 8 West 40th Street in Midtown Manhattan, received a Grade C following a health inspection conducted March 24, 2026. Inspectors assigned a score of 39, which falls in the Grade C range under New York City's restaurant grading system. The inspection data was released by the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) on March 27, 2026.

What Inspectors Found

The inspection identified one critical violation, cited under Code 04N, related to the presence of filth flies or food/refuse/sewage-associated (FRSA) flies in the establishment's food and non-food areas. FRSA flies, as defined by the DOHMH, include house flies, blow flies, bottle flies, flesh flies, drain flies, Phorid flies, and fruit flies.

No non-critical violations were recorded during this inspection.

The Code 04N violation is classified as critical because flies can serve as vectors for transmitting pathogens to food contact surfaces and exposed food items. Under NYC Health Code Article 81, food service establishments are required to implement active pest management protocols and maintain conditions that prevent pest entry and harborage. Inspectors are trained to distinguish between isolated pest sightings and conditions indicative of an ongoing infestation.

Food Safety Context

Pest control is a foundational requirement under both NYC Health Code Article 81 and the FDA Food Code. The presence of filth flies in a food service environment carries an elevated public health concern because flies can mechanically transfer bacteria — including Salmonella and E. coli — from refuse or waste areas to food preparation and storage surfaces.

The DOHMH requires establishments to maintain physical barriers against pest entry, eliminate harborage conditions, ensure proper refuse storage, and engage licensed pest management professionals when infestations are identified. A single critical violation in this category is sufficient to generate a score in the C range when combined with other point deductions, or when the violation carries significant point weight.

The score of 39 reflects a cumulative assessment based on the nature, severity, and scope of violations documented during the inspection cycle.

Inspection History

Heritage Grand Bakery, Restaurant & Pizza Bar has a documented inspection history that shows a pattern of elevated scores in recent years, following a strong performance in 2023:

  • June 16, 2023: Score 11 (Grade A)
  • December 3, 2024: Score 33
  • January 13, 2025: Score 26 (Grade B)
  • July 8, 2025: Score 35
  • August 27, 2025: Score 31 (Grade Z)
  • February 5, 2026: Score 53
  • March 24, 2026: Score 39 (Grade C)

The restaurant earned a Grade A as recently as June 2023, indicating that conditions meeting the city's highest standards were achievable at this location. Since late 2024, however, scores have remained above the Grade B threshold in every recorded inspection. The February 2026 score of 53 was the highest recorded in this review period. The March 2026 score of 39 represents a reduction from that peak but remains within the Grade C range.

A "Grade Z" designation, as appeared in August 2025, is assigned when an establishment is undergoing the adjudication process and a final grade has not yet been determined.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City's letter grading system is based on points assessed during unannounced DOHMH inspections. Each violation carries a point value based on its potential to cause foodborne illness. Grades are assigned as follows:

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

Restaurants that receive a B or C on their initial inspection are re-inspected. The grade posted in the window reflects the best score from the initial and follow-up inspections, or the score from the most recent completed inspection cycle.

Consumers can review the full inspection history for any NYC restaurant through the DOHMH's online restaurant inspection database. Inspection records are public information and are updated as new data becomes available.

More About This Restaurant

View the full inspection history for Heritage Grand Bakery, Restaurant & Pizza Bar including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.