Manhattan, NY — La Casa Del Mofongo And Piano Bar/ Barra Payan, a Latin American restaurant located at 546 West 207th Street in the Inwood neighborhood, received a score of 31 during a New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) inspection conducted on February 19, 2026. The score places the establishment in Grade C territory, the lowest letter grade assigned under the city's restaurant grading system.

The inspection data was released publicly by DOHMH on February 23, 2026.

What Inspectors Found

During the February 19 inspection, inspectors documented one non-critical violation related to improper thawing procedures. Specifically, the restaurant was cited under violation code 09B for failing to follow proper thawing methods for food products.

Proper thawing is a fundamental component of food safety protocols. The FDA Food Code identifies approved thawing methods as refrigeration at 41°F or below, under running water at 70°F or below, as part of the cooking process, or via microwave when food will be cooked immediately afterward. Thawing food at room temperature or in standing water can allow the exterior of the food to enter the temperature danger zone (41°F to 135°F) while the interior remains frozen, creating conditions where harmful bacteria can multiply.

While the inspection record lists one non-critical violation, the total score of 31 points reflects the cumulative assessment documented during the inspection cycle.

Food Safety Context

New York City's restaurant inspection program, governed by NYC Health Code Article 81, assigns point values to violations identified during inspections. Points are assessed based on the nature and severity of each condition observed. A lower score indicates fewer or less severe violations, while a higher score reflects more significant findings.

Under the FDA Food Code, which serves as the basis for many local health regulations, food establishments are required to maintain proper temperature controls throughout all stages of food handling, including storage, preparation, thawing, cooking, and serving. Thawing procedures are specifically addressed because improper methods can compromise the safety of food before it ever reaches the cooking stage.

The city's inspection program is designed to ensure that restaurants operating in New York City meet established food safety standards and that consumers have access to transparent information about the conditions found at dining establishments.

Inspection History

La Casa Del Mofongo And Piano Bar/ Barra Payan has been inspected multiple times in recent years. The restaurant's recorded inspection history includes:

  • November 20, 2025: Score 0 (Grade Z — score pending adjudication)
  • November 19, 2025: Score 28, closed by DOHMH
  • August 29, 2024: Score 11 (Grade A)
  • May 20, 2024: Score 23 (no grade assigned — initial inspection cycle)
  • December 7, 2022: Score 21 (Grade B)

The inspection record shows a pattern of fluctuation. The restaurant earned a Grade A with a score of 11 in August 2024 but was subsequently closed by health inspectors in November 2025 after receiving a score of 28. A follow-up inspection the next day on November 20, 2025, recorded a score of 0 with a Grade Z designation, which indicates a score pending adjudication or re-inspection.

The current February 2026 score of 31 represents the highest point total recorded for this establishment in the available inspection history.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City assigns letter grades to restaurants based on inspection scores:

  • Grade A: 0 to 13 points — fewest violations documented
  • Grade B: 14 to 27 points — moderate violations documented
  • Grade C: 28 or more points — most significant violations documented

Restaurants that receive a Grade B or C on an initial inspection may request an adjudicatory hearing and are re-inspected. Grade cards must be posted at the entrance of the establishment so that the public can make informed dining decisions.

Consumers can look up inspection results for any New York City restaurant through the DOHMH's publicly available database or by visiting NYCRestaurantInspections.com. The city's inspection data is updated regularly as new inspections are completed and results are processed.

The full inspection record for La Casa Del Mofongo And Piano Bar/ Barra Payan, including detailed violation descriptions and historical scores, is available as public record through the city's open data portal.

More About This Restaurant

View the full inspection history for La Casa Del Mofongo And Piano Bar/ Barra Payan including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.