Manhattan, NY — Karamelo Bar & Kitchen, a Latin American restaurant at 141 Nagle Avenue in Upper Manhattan, received a score of 46 points during a health inspection conducted on March 7, 2026, resulting in a Grade C designation. Inspectors documented four critical violations and two non-critical violations during the visit.
The inspection data was released by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) on March 9, 2026.
What Inspectors Found
The most serious violation involved food from unapproved or unknown sources. Inspectors cited the restaurant under Code 03A for food that was prohibited due to being from an unapproved or unknown source, which can also include home-canned or home-prepared items. This violation addresses a fundamental food safety requirement — that all food served in commercial establishments be traceable to approved, regulated sources.
Inspectors also documented improper cold food storage temperatures under Code 02G. Time and temperature controlled for safety (TCS) food items were found held above 41°F, which is the maximum temperature permitted for cold storage of potentially hazardous foods. When cold foods are held above safe temperatures, bacterial growth can accelerate rapidly, increasing the risk of foodborne illness.
A third critical violation cited under Code 06D noted that food contact surfaces were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized after each use and following any activity when contamination may have occurred. Proper cleaning and sanitizing of surfaces that come into contact with food is a core requirement for preventing cross-contamination.
The fourth critical violation, cited under Code 06C, documented that food, supplies, or equipment were not adequately protected from potential sources of contamination during storage, preparation, transportation, display, or service.
Two non-critical violations were also recorded. One involved a failure to make a good faith effort to inform smokers or electronic cigarette users of Smoke-Free Air Act prohibitions (Code 15-42). The other cited the sale or offering for sale of flavored tobacco products (Code 15-21).
Food Safety Context
The violations documented at Karamelo Bar & Kitchen relate to several provisions of NYC Health Code Article 81, which governs food service establishments in New York City. Temperature control requirements align with the FDA Food Code, which establishes 41°F as the maximum holding temperature for cold TCS foods to limit the growth of pathogenic bacteria.
The violation involving food from unapproved sources is particularly significant from a regulatory standpoint. NYC Health Code requires that all food served in licensed establishments originate from sources that are inspected, regulated, and approved. This ensures traceability in the event of a foodborne illness outbreak and confirms that food has been handled under sanitary conditions throughout the supply chain.
Inspection History
The March 2026 inspection continues a pattern of elevated scores for the establishment:
- Aug 29, 2025: Score 40 (Grade N)
- Oct 18, 2023: Score 16
The restaurant's previous inspection in August 2025 also resulted in a high score of 40 points with a Grade N designation, indicating the establishment was in the process of adjudication at that time. Prior to that, an October 2023 inspection yielded a score of 16, which would have fallen within the Grade A range.
Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades
New York City's restaurant grading system, administered by DOHMH, assigns letter grades based on the total number of violation points recorded during an inspection:
- Grade A: 0–13 points
- Grade B: 14–27 points
- Grade C: 28 or more points
A Grade C score of 46 points indicates multiple significant violations were documented. Restaurants receiving a Grade C may request a hearing before the Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings (OATH) and may be re-inspected.
Consumers can verify any restaurant's current inspection status and grade through the DOHMH restaurant inspection database or by checking the letter grade posted at the establishment's entrance, as required by law.
More About This Restaurant
View the full inspection history for Karamelo Bar & Kitchen including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.