Manhattan, NY — A routine health inspection at Le Viet Thai, a Southeast Asian restaurant on the Upper East Side, identified a critical temperature control violation in March 2026, resulting in a score of 42 and a Grade C rating from the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH).
The inspection was conducted on March 19, 2026, with data released by DOHMH on March 23, 2026.
What Inspectors Found
Inspectors documented one critical violation during the visit, citing Code 02G: cold temperature-controlled for safety (TCS) food held above 41°F. The violation also encompasses improper storage temperatures for smoked or processed fish (required to be held at or below 38°F), intact raw eggs (required at or below 45°F), and reduced oxygen packaged (ROP) TCS foods.
The inspection record shows one critical violation and no non-critical violations, yielding a total score of 42.
Food Safety Context
Temperature control is one of the foundational principles of safe food handling. Under NYC Health Code Article 81 and the FDA Food Code, perishable foods must be maintained within specific temperature ranges to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria such as Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella, and Staphylococcus aureus.
The 41°F threshold for cold TCS foods is designed to slow bacterial multiplication to safe levels. Foods held above this temperature for extended periods enter the "danger zone" — between 41°F and 140°F — where pathogens can multiply rapidly. The stricter 38°F limit for smoked or processed fish reflects the elevated risk posed by Listeria, which can grow at refrigerator temperatures and poses particular danger to immunocompromised individuals and pregnant women.
Critical violations are those most directly linked to foodborne illness risk. Under DOHMH's scoring system, each critical violation carries a higher point penalty than non-critical violations, which address operational and facility conditions.
Inspection History
Le Viet Thai's prior inspection record shows significantly lower scores in recent years:
- November 13, 2024: Score 9 — Grade A
- April 29, 2024: Score 24
- February 7, 2023: Score 26
The restaurant earned a Grade A as recently as November 2024, indicating this inspection represents a departure from its recent compliance record. The April and February scores, while not resulting in a Grade A, remained below the Grade C threshold of 28 points.
Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades
New York City's letter grading system is based on the total point score recorded during an unannounced DOHMH inspection:
- Grade A: Score of 0–13 points
- Grade B: Score of 14–27 points
- Grade C: Score of 28 points or higher
A Grade C does not automatically result in closure. Restaurants receiving a Grade C on an initial inspection are typically scheduled for a re-inspection. If the score remains at 28 or above during the re-inspection, the Grade C card is posted publicly at the establishment. Restaurants may also request an administrative tribunal hearing to contest violations.
Inspection scores can fluctuate between cycles depending on conditions observed on the specific day of the visit, staffing, equipment performance, and other operational factors.
Additional Resources
Consumers can view the full inspection record for Le Viet Thai and any other NYC restaurant through the DOHMH's online restaurant inspection database. The database includes violation details, scores, and grade history for all permitted food service establishments in the five boroughs.
Le Viet Thai is located at 1750 2nd Avenue in the Yorkville neighborhood of Manhattan, zip code 10128.
More About This Restaurant
View the full inspection history for Le Viet Thai including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.