Manhattan, NY — Lenox Thai, a Thai restaurant located at 1217 1st Avenue on the Upper East Side, received a score of 42 during a New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) inspection conducted on February 9, 2026. The score places the restaurant in Grade C territory, a significant decline from its most recent Grade A rating.

The inspection identified one critical violation related to hand washing facilities, a fundamental requirement under NYC food safety regulations. The inspection data was released by DOHMH on February 11, 2026.

What Inspectors Found

During the February 9 inspection, DOHMH inspectors documented a single but serious critical violation under code 05D. The citation noted the absence of an accessible hand washing facility in or adjacent to the toilet room, or within 25 feet of food preparation, food service, or ware washing areas.

The violation further specified that the hand washing facility was either not accessible, obstructed, or being used for non-hand washing purposes. Inspectors also documented issues with hot and cold running water availability or inadequate water pressure, along with the absence of soap or an acceptable hand-drying device.

While only one critical violation and zero non-critical violations were recorded during this inspection, the severity of the hand washing citation alone resulted in a score of 42 — well above the 28-point threshold for a Grade C designation.

Food Safety Context

Hand washing is considered one of the most fundamental safeguards in food safety. NYC Health Code Article 81 requires that food service establishments maintain properly equipped and accessible hand washing stations in proximity to food preparation and service areas. This requirement aligns with FDA Food Code guidelines, which identify inadequate hand hygiene as a leading contributing factor to foodborne illness outbreaks.

Under these regulations, hand washing stations must provide hot and cold running water at adequate pressure, soap, and an approved hand-drying method such as paper towels or an air dryer. The stations must remain unobstructed and dedicated exclusively to hand washing — they cannot be used for food preparation, ware washing, or storage.

The absence or inaccessibility of hand washing facilities is classified as a critical violation because it directly impacts the ability of food handlers to maintain proper hygiene during food preparation and service. Without functioning hand washing stations, the risk of cross-contamination and transmission of pathogens increases substantially.

Inspection History

Lenox Thai's prior inspection record shows a notable shift from its February 2026 results:

  • 2024-08-27: Score 10 (Grade A)
  • 2024-04-29: Score 17

The restaurant had earned a Grade A during its most recent graded inspection in August 2024, scoring 10 points — well within the 0-13 point range required for the top grade. The April 2024 inspection resulted in a score of 17, which falls in the Grade B range but may have been an initial inspection preceding the adjudication process.

The jump from a score of 10 to 42 represents a significant change in the restaurant's inspection performance. DOHMH records indicate that violations were cited and the restaurant remains subject to the standard re-inspection and grading cycle.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City's restaurant grading system, administered by DOHMH, assigns letter grades based on the total violation points recorded during an 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. Critical violations carry higher point values than general (non-critical) violations due to their greater potential impact on public health.

Restaurants that receive a Grade B or C on an initial inspection have the opportunity to be re-inspected and may also contest their scores through the Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings (OATH). The grade posted at a restaurant reflects the most recent graded inspection outcome.

Consumers can look up current inspection results and violation details for any New York City restaurant through the DOHMH restaurant inspection database, available online at the NYC Open Data portal. Lenox Thai's full inspection history, including specific violation descriptions and scores, is accessible as public record through this system.

More About This Restaurant

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