Manhattan, NY — Kimika, a fusion restaurant at 30 Kenmare Street in Manhattan's NoLita neighborhood, received a score of 28 during a New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) inspection conducted on February 10, 2026. The score places the restaurant in Grade C territory, a significant decline from its previous Grade A rating.

The inspection identified one critical violation related to improper cold food storage temperatures. No non-critical violations were recorded during the visit. Inspection data was released by DOHMH on February 12, 2026.

What Inspectors Found

Inspectors documented a critical violation under DOHMH code 02G: cold time/temperature control for safety (TCS) food items were held above 41°F. This category also covers smoked or processed fish held above 38°F, intact raw eggs held above 45°F, and reduced oxygen packaged TCS foods held above required temperatures outside of active necessary preparation.

TCS foods are items that require specific temperature controls to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria. Common examples include meats, dairy products, cooked vegetables, and prepared sauces. When these foods are held in the "temperature danger zone" — between 41°F and 135°F — bacterial growth can accelerate rapidly, potentially doubling every 20 minutes under certain conditions.

The single critical violation was sufficient to bring Kimika's inspection score to 28, crossing the threshold from a Grade B into Grade C range.

Food Safety Context

NYC Health Code Article 81 establishes the regulatory framework for food service establishments operating in the five boroughs. Under these regulations, all restaurants are required to maintain cold TCS foods at or below 41°F to minimize the risk of foodborne illness. This standard aligns with the FDA Food Code, which sets national benchmarks for food safety practices.

Temperature control violations are among the most commonly cited findings in New York City restaurant inspections. The DOHMH grading system assigns point values to each violation based on severity, with critical violations carrying higher point values than general or non-critical violations. A single critical cold-holding violation can carry enough points to move a restaurant from one grade category to another.

Restaurants that receive a Grade C during an initial inspection have the opportunity to request a re-inspection. The final posted grade reflects the better score between the initial and re-inspection results, provided the restaurant chooses to undergo the additional review.

Inspection History

Kimika's prior inspection record shows a notable contrast with the February 2026 results:

  • April 20, 2023: Score 10 (Grade A)

The 2023 inspection resulted in a score well within the Grade A range, indicating minimal violations at that time. The jump from a score of 10 to a score of 28 represents an 18-point increase spanning nearly three years between inspections.

It should be noted that gaps between recorded inspections are not unusual. DOHMH conducts unannounced inspections on a cycle that varies based on prior performance, complaint history, and other operational factors.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City assigns letter grades to restaurants based on the total points accumulated during health inspections. Lower scores indicate fewer or less severe violations:

  • Grade A: 0–13 points
  • Grade B: 14–27 points
  • Grade C: 28 or more points

Each violation carries a predetermined point value, with critical violations — those most likely to contribute to foodborne illness — receiving the highest scores. The grading system was introduced in 2010 to provide consumers with a clear, standardized measure of restaurant food safety compliance.

Restaurants are required to post their current letter grade in a location visible to the public, typically near the entrance. Consumers can also look up any restaurant's full inspection history, including specific violations and scores, through the DOHMH online database.

For additional information about restaurant inspection results and food safety in New York City, residents can visit the DOHMH restaurant grades portal or call 311 for general inquiries.

More About This Restaurant

View the full inspection history for Kimika including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.