Manhattan, NY — Mari:ne, a Korean restaurant located at 135 West 41st Street near Times Square, received a score of 55 during a New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene inspection conducted on March 31, 2026, placing it firmly in Grade C territory. The data was released by DOHMH on April 2, 2026.

The inspection identified one critical violation and one non-critical violation across food temperature control and ware washing practices.

What Inspectors Found

The critical violation cited at Mari:ne involved cold food temperature control. Inspectors documented that temperature-controlled for safety (TCS) food items were held above 41°F, a threshold established to inhibit bacterial growth in perishable foods. The violation falls under Code 02G, which also covers requirements for smoked or processed fish held above 38°F, intact raw eggs held above 45°F, and reduced oxygen packaged foods held above their required temperatures during non-preparation periods.

Improper cold holding temperatures are considered critical because they can allow pathogens such as Salmonella, Listeria, and Staphylococcus aureus to reach dangerous levels in food that may be served to customers without further cooking steps.

A second, non-critical violation was recorded under Code 10G, which addresses deficiencies in the cleaning and sanitizing of tableware, dishes, utensils, and equipment during the dishwashing and ware washing process. While classified as non-critical, proper sanitization of food-contact surfaces is a foundational requirement for preventing cross-contamination in food service environments.

Food Safety Context

New York City restaurant inspections are conducted under NYC Health Code Article 81, which establishes food safety standards for all food service establishments operating within the five boroughs. Inspectors apply a point-based scoring system in which each violation carries a set point value; lower scores reflect fewer and less severe violations.

The FDA Food Code, which Article 81 substantially mirrors, designates temperature control for safety foods as those requiring refrigeration to prevent the growth of pathogens. The code's requirement that cold TCS foods be maintained at or below 41°F is one of the most consistently enforced standards in commercial food service inspections nationwide.

Restaurants are generally cited under Code 02G when refrigeration equipment is malfunctioning, when food is improperly stored in units with inadequate airflow, or when TCS items are left out during prep periods longer than permitted intervals.

Inspection History

Mari:ne's recent inspection record shows significant score variability:

  • August 14, 2025: Score 20
  • September 9, 2024: Score 0
  • January 11, 2024: Score 7 (Grade A)

The restaurant had previously demonstrated strong compliance, earning a perfect score of 0 in September 2024 and a Grade A score of 7 in January 2024. The August 2025 inspection produced a score of 20, which falls within Grade B range. The March 2026 inspection represents a notable increase to 55 points.

DOHMH inspects most restaurants twice per year. Scores can vary between inspection cycles based on staffing, equipment condition, food supplier practices, and operational procedures on the day of inspection.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City posts letter grades at restaurant entrances based on the score received during inspection:

  • A: Score of 0 to 13 points
  • B: Score of 14 to 27 points
  • C: Score of 28 points or higher

Restaurants that receive a score above 13 on an initial inspection are re-inspected. If a restaurant scores in Grade B or C range on the re-inspection, that grade must be posted. Establishments have the option to request an administrative tribunal hearing to contest violations before a final grade is posted.

Mari:ne's current Grade C reflects the score recorded on March 31, 2026. The restaurant may have since been re-inspected or taken corrective action; DOHMH inspection records are updated as new data becomes available.

Current and historical inspection records for all NYC restaurants are publicly available through the NYC Open Data portal and the DOHMH restaurant inspection lookup tool at nyc.gov/health.

More About This Restaurant

View the full inspection history for Mari:ne including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.