Manhattan, NY — La Burdick Chocolate, a specialty coffee and chocolate shop at 156 Prince Street in SoHo, received a Grade B on its most recent health inspection after earning a score of 22 points. The inspection, conducted on March 4, 2026, identified one critical violation related to food safety management credentials. The data was released by the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) on March 6, 2026.
The score of 22 places the establishment in the upper range of Grade B territory, just five points below the Grade C threshold of 28. This represents a notable departure from the restaurant's prior inspection record, which had consistently earned Grade A scores.
What Inspectors Found
The sole violation cited during the March 4 inspection was a critical finding: the establishment did not have a Food Protection Certificate (FPC) held by a manager or supervisor of food operations (violation code 04A).
Under NYC Health Code Article 81, every food service establishment is required to have at least one certified food protection manager on duty during all hours of operation. This individual must hold a valid certificate issued by an accredited food safety training program recognized by the DOHMH. The requirement ensures that someone with formal training in safe food handling practices — including proper temperatures, cross-contamination prevention, and allergen management — is actively supervising food preparation and service.
No non-critical violations were documented during this inspection.
Food Safety Context
The Food Protection Certificate requirement is classified as a critical violation because of its direct connection to public health outcomes. The FDA Food Code, which serves as the model framework for local health regulations including those in New York City, identifies the presence of a certified food protection manager as a foundational element of a food safety management system.
A single critical violation such as this one carries significant point weight in New York City's scoring system, which explains why the establishment received a score of 22 despite having no other violations documented. Critical violations are assessed higher point values than general violations because they represent conditions more likely to contribute to foodborne illness.
The establishment can address this violation by ensuring a staff member with a valid Food Protection Certificate is present during all operating hours.
Inspection History
La Burdick Chocolate had maintained a consistent Grade A record across its three prior inspection cycles:
- December 2, 2024: Score 12, Grade A
- June 1, 2023: Score 12, Grade A
- June 24, 2022: Score 13, Grade A
The March 2026 score of 22 represents the first time the establishment has scored outside the Grade A range in its recent inspection history. Prior scores had been at or near the top of the Grade A bracket.
Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades
New York City assigns letter grades to restaurants based on the total number of violation points recorded during a health inspection:
- Grade A: 0–13 points
- Grade B: 14–27 points
- Grade C: 28 or more points
Lower scores indicate fewer or less severe violations. Restaurants that receive a Grade B or C on an initial inspection may request a re-inspection to improve their score. Grade results are required to be posted at the restaurant entrance.
Consumers can look up the full inspection history for any New York City restaurant through the DOHMH restaurant inspection search portal or the NYC Open Data platform. Inspection records are public information and are updated regularly as new data becomes available.
More About This Restaurant
View the full inspection history for La Burdick Chocolate including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.