Manhattan, NY — Lilly's Craft And Kitchen, an American restaurant at 675B 9th Ave in Hell's Kitchen, received a score of 37 during a health inspection conducted on February 18, 2026, placing it in Grade C territory. The score represents a significant decline from the restaurant's previous Grade A rating received in September 2024.

The inspection data was released by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) on February 20, 2026.

What Inspectors Found

During the February 2026 inspection, inspectors documented one non-critical violation at the establishment:

Food contact surface maintenance issues (Code 09C): Inspectors cited the restaurant for improper design, construction, materials, or maintenance of food contact surfaces. The surfaces were noted as not being easily cleanable, sanitizable, or properly maintained.

Under NYC Health Code Article 81, food contact surfaces must be constructed of durable, smooth, and easily cleanable materials. These surfaces — which include cutting boards, prep tables, utensils, and equipment that directly contacts food — must be maintained in good repair to prevent the accumulation of food particles, bacteria, and other contaminants.

The score of 37 placed the restaurant well above the 28-point threshold for a Grade C designation.

Food Safety Context

The FDA Food Code requires that food contact surfaces be made of safe materials, be smooth and easily cleanable, and be maintained free of imperfections that could harbor bacteria. Surfaces that are cracked, pitted, or otherwise degraded can create environments where pathogens may persist even after routine cleaning.

NYC Health Code Article 81 establishes the regulatory framework for food service establishments in the city. The DOHMH conducts unannounced inspections of approximately 27,000 restaurants citywide, evaluating compliance across multiple categories including food handling, temperature control, personal hygiene, pest activity, and facility maintenance.

Each violation identified during an inspection carries a specific point value. Points are assigned based on the nature and severity of the violation, with critical violations generally carrying higher point values than non-critical ones. The total points accumulated during an inspection determine the restaurant's letter grade.

It is worth noting that while the restaurant's score of 37 is elevated, the inspection record shows only one non-critical violation was documented. The scoring methodology used by DOHMH assigns point values that reflect the inspector's assessment of conditions at the time of the visit.

Inspection History

A review of the restaurant's inspection history shows a pattern of generally favorable results prior to the February 2026 inspection:

  • Sep 18, 2024: Score 13 (Grade A)
  • May 18, 2024: Score 0
  • Apr 12, 2023: Score 19
  • Mar 1, 2022: Score 0 (Grade A)

The restaurant had earned a Grade A with a score of 13 during its most recent prior graded inspection in September 2024. The February 2026 score of 37 represents the highest point total in the establishment's available inspection history.

Restaurants that receive a Grade C have the option to request an adjudicatory hearing with the DOHMH's Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings (OATH). A re-inspection is also typically scheduled, giving the establishment an opportunity to address cited violations and potentially improve its score.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City's restaurant grading system, implemented in 2010, assigns letter grades based on total violation points accumulated during an inspection:

  • Grade A: 0-13 points — Establishment is in substantial compliance with food safety regulations
  • Grade B: 14-27 points — Some violations identified requiring corrective action
  • Grade C: 28 or more points — Significant violations documented; re-inspection and potential hearing scheduled

Restaurants are required to post their current letter grade in a conspicuous location near the entrance. The grading system was designed to provide consumers with an accessible summary of inspection results and to incentivize compliance among food service operators.

Consumers can look up the full inspection history of any New York City restaurant through the DOHMH's publicly accessible database. Inspection results, including specific violations and scores, are available online and are considered public record.

For the most current inspection results for Lilly's Craft And Kitchen and other NYC restaurants, residents can visit the DOHMH restaurant inspection database or the NYCRestaurantInspections.com website.

More About This Restaurant

View the full inspection history for Lilly's Craft And Kitchen including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.