Manhattan, NY — Lazard Freres, the American cuisine restaurant located at 30 Rockefeller Plaza in Midtown Manhattan, received a Grade B following a health inspection conducted March 17, 2026. The establishment recorded a score of 23, placing it near the upper boundary of the Grade B range and within a few points of the Grade C threshold. Inspection data was released by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) on March 23, 2026.
What Inspectors Found
Inspectors documented one non-critical violation during the visit. The citation, issued under Code 10F, noted that a non-food contact surface or piece of equipment was made of unacceptable material, was not kept clean, or was not properly sealed, raised, spaced, or positioned to allow adequate access for cleaning on all sides, above, and underneath the unit.
No critical violations were identified during the inspection. Critical violations are those most directly linked to the potential for foodborne illness, such as improper food temperatures or evidence of pest activity. The single violation recorded here falls into the non-critical category, which typically involves physical maintenance and sanitation conditions rather than immediate food safety hazards.
Food Safety Context
New York City restaurants are inspected under NYC Health Code Article 81, which establishes standards for food handling, facility maintenance, equipment condition, and sanitation practices. The FDA Food Code provides additional federal guidance that informs local standards.
Equipment that is difficult to clean due to improper materials, poor placement, or lack of clearance can allow grease, food debris, and moisture to accumulate over time. While this type of violation does not carry the same immediate risk as a critical finding, it is cited because such conditions can contribute to broader sanitation concerns if left unaddressed.
A score of 23 falls within the Grade B band but sits closer to the Grade C cutoff than to the Grade A range. Had the score reached 28 or above, the restaurant would have been subject to a Grade C posting.
Inspection History
Lazard Freres has maintained a strong compliance record in prior inspection cycles, consistently earning Grade A scores:
- October 4, 2024: Score 9 (Grade A)
- April 26, 2023: Score 8 (Grade A)
- March 7, 2022: Score 13 (Grade A)
The March 2026 result represents a notable departure from that pattern. A score of 23 is roughly 10 to 15 points higher than the restaurant's recent history, suggesting a decline in at least one area of facility maintenance since the last inspection cycle.
Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades
DOHMH assigns letter grades based on the total score recorded at the time of inspection. Lower scores reflect fewer violations and better compliance:
- Grade A: 0–13 points
- Grade B: 14–27 points
- Grade C: 28 points or more
Restaurants with a Grade B or C may request a re-inspection, at which point a new score is calculated. The posted grade reflects either the initial or re-inspection result, whichever applies at the time of posting.
Current inspection records for all New York City restaurants are publicly available through the DOHMH restaurant inspection database at the NYC Open Data portal.
More About This Restaurant
View the full inspection history for Lazard Freres including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.