Manhattan, NY — Menkoi Sao, a Japanese restaurant located at 7 Cornelia Street in the West Village neighborhood of Manhattan, was cited for one non-critical violation during a New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) inspection conducted March 19, 2026. Inspection data was released publicly by DOHMH on April 27, 2026.

The inspection resulted in a Grade B outcome. Under NYC's restaurant grading system, a Grade B corresponds to a score in the range of 14 to 27 points. No critical violations were recorded during this inspection.

What Inspectors Found

Inspectors documented one non-critical violation under Code 20-04, related to required safety postings. Specifically, the following items were found to be absent:

  • A "Choking First Aid" poster, as required by law
  • An "Alcohol and Pregnancy" warning sign
  • Proper signage for resuscitation equipment, including exhaled air resuscitation masks (adult and pediatric sizes) and latex gloves

These postings are mandated by New York State and City regulations and must be displayed in a visible location within the establishment. While classified as non-critical — meaning they do not directly involve food handling or contamination risks — their absence constitutes a documented violation under the health code.

Food Safety Context

New York City requires all food service establishments to comply with NYC Health Code Article 81, which governs food handling, sanitation, and general safety protocols. Required postings, including first aid instructions and public health warnings, are considered part of baseline compliance obligations.

The FDA Food Code also outlines minimum standards for food establishment operations, and New York State incorporates many of those standards into its regulatory framework. Posting requirements like those cited at Menkoi Sao exist to ensure that staff and patrons have access to critical safety information in emergency situations.

Non-critical violations do not pose an immediate threat to public health but are subject to correction and may affect a restaurant's overall inspection score.

Inspection History

No prior inspection history for Menkoi Sao is available in DOHMH's public records at the time of this report. This may reflect the restaurant's age, recent opening, or a gap in publicly available data.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City's letter grading system translates inspection scores into grades displayed in restaurant windows:

  • A: Score of 0–13 points (fewest violations)
  • B: Score of 14–27 points
  • C: Score of 28 or more points

A Grade B result, particularly one approaching the upper boundary of that range, reflects a meaningful number of documented violations relative to the best-performing establishments in the city. Restaurants that receive a Grade B or C during an initial inspection may request a re-inspection before a final grade is assigned.

Menkoi Sao's current grade is posted at the restaurant in accordance with DOHMH requirements.

More About This Restaurant

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