Manhattan, NY — Michaeli Bakery, located at 401 East 90th Street in the Yorkville neighborhood, received a score of 31 following a New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) inspection conducted on March 26, 2026. That score places the establishment in Grade C territory, which begins at 28 points, representing a significant decline from the bakery's prior Grade A standing.

The inspection data was released by DOHMH on March 30, 2026.

What Inspectors Found

Inspectors documented one non-critical violation during the March inspection, citing the bakery under Code 08C for improper pesticide storage and use. Specifically, the violation noted an unprotected, unlocked bait station on the premises — a condition that raises concerns about access to toxic materials by employees, customers, or pests in a food preparation environment.

The violation does not necessarily indicate that pesticides came into contact with food products, but the presence of an unsecured bait station is considered a correctable deficiency under city health standards. No critical violations — those directly linked to foodborne illness risk — were identified during this inspection.

Food Safety Context

Pesticide handling in food service establishments is governed by both NYC Health Code Article 81 and federal guidelines referenced in the FDA Food Code. Article 81 requires that any pesticide used in a food service setting be applied only by a licensed exterminator, stored in clearly labeled containers, and kept inaccessible to unauthorized individuals.

Unlocked or unprotected bait stations in food-handling areas present a risk of accidental contamination and are inconsistent with the integrated pest management standards the city expects food businesses to follow. Violations in this category, while classified as non-critical, can still carry meaningful point values under DOHMH's scoring system, which contributed to the bakery's elevated score.

Under the city's grading system, a score of 31 results in a Grade C posting, which establishments are required to display publicly. Restaurants and food businesses that receive a Grade C on an initial inspection may request a re-inspection, at which point a final grade is issued.

Inspection History

The March 2026 result represents a notable departure from Michaeli Bakery's recent track record. Prior inspections show consistent Grade A performance:

  • November 6, 2024: Score 10 (Grade A)
  • July 14, 2023: Score 13 (Grade A)

Both prior inspections resulted in scores well within the Grade A range, suggesting the pesticide storage issue identified in March 2026 may be an isolated or newly emerged condition rather than a pattern of ongoing noncompliance.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City requires all food service establishments to post their most recent inspection grade in a window visible to the public. The grading scale is as follows:

  • Grade A: Score of 0 to 13 points (fewest violations)
  • Grade B: Score of 14 to 27 points
  • Grade C: Score of 28 points or higher

Points are assigned based on the number and severity of violations identified during an unannounced inspection. Critical violations — those with a direct link to foodborne illness, such as improper food temperatures or evidence of pests — carry higher point values than non-critical violations.

Establishments that receive a score above 13 on an initial inspection are typically given the opportunity for a compliance inspection before a final grade is assigned.

More About This Restaurant

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