Manhattan, NY — Le Bistroquet, a French restaurant located at 50 West 22nd Street in Manhattan, was closed by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) following an inspection conducted on August 4, 2026. Inspectors cited two violations, including one classified as critical, resulting in a score of 55 — a Grade C under the city's grading system. Inspection data was released publicly by DOHMH on August 6, 2026.

What Inspectors Found

During the August 4 inspection, DOHMH inspectors documented two violations at the West 22nd Street location.

The critical violation, recorded under Code 04L, cited evidence of mice or live mice in the establishment's food and non-food areas. Under NYC Health Code Article 81 and the FDA Food Code, rodent activity in a food service facility represents a direct threat to food safety and public health. This type of violation requires immediate corrective action and is among the categories that can trigger a closure order from the DOHMH.

The second violation, classified as non-critical, was recorded under Code 10F. Inspectors noted that non-food contact surfaces or equipment were made of unacceptable material, were not kept clean, or were not properly sealed, raised, spaced, or positioned to allow for adequate cleaning access on all sides and underneath the unit. While non-critical violations do not independently mandate closure, they indicate maintenance deficiencies that can contribute to conditions favorable to pest activity and contamination risk.

Together, the two violations produced a combined score of 55, placing the restaurant in Grade C territory under the city's scoring framework.

Food Safety Context

NYC Health Code Article 81 governs food service establishment requirements throughout the five boroughs. Under this framework, DOHMH inspectors are authorized to order the immediate closure of any establishment where conditions present a significant risk to public health — including documented evidence of rodent activity.

The FDA Food Code, which informs city and state food safety regulations nationally, identifies pest control as a foundational element of safe food handling. Rodents can contaminate food, food-contact surfaces, and equipment through droppings, urine, and direct contact, creating pathways for foodborne illness.

When an establishment is closed under this authority, it must address the cited violations and pass a reinspection before being permitted to reopen to the public. In cases involving critical violations, the DOHMH requires that those conditions be corrected before operations resume.

Equipment surface violations, while classified as non-critical, are relevant to overall sanitation. Surfaces that are difficult to clean, made of porous or damaged materials, or positioned in ways that block cleaning access can harbor bacteria and attract pests over time. NYC Health Code Article 81 establishes specific standards for equipment construction, maintenance, and placement in commercial food service settings.

Inspection History

Le Bistroquet's recent inspection record reflects ongoing compliance challenges at this location:

  • January 13, 2026: Score 43 (Grade N — score pending adjudication or re-inspection)
  • August 4, 2026: Score 55, closed by DOHMH

The January 2026 inspection resulted in a score of 43, also in Grade C range, assigned a Grade N designation, which is typically applied when a score is pending an administrative hearing or follow-up inspection. The August inspection marks the second consecutive cycle in which the restaurant scored above 28 points and the first resulting in a closure action.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

The DOHMH assigns letter grades to restaurants based on the score received during inspection. Scores reflect the number and severity of violations documented, with lower scores indicating better compliance:

  • Grade A: Score of 0 to 13 points
  • Grade B: Score of 14 to 27 points
  • Grade C: Score of 28 points or more
  • Grade N: Score is pending a hearing or re-inspection; a grade card is not posted

A score of 55, as recorded at Le Bistroquet on August 4, falls well above the Grade C threshold. Establishments that receive a score in the C range are entitled to request an administrative hearing before a grade is officially assigned and posted. During that period, a Grade Pending card is typically displayed in the establishment's window.

Closure orders operate independently of the grading process. An establishment may be closed at any point during an inspection if inspectors determine that conditions pose an immediate public health risk, regardless of the overall score.

More About This Restaurant

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