Manhattan, NY — Miznon, the Middle Eastern restaurant at 601 Lexington Avenue, received a score of 26 during a New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene inspection conducted on March 23, 2026, resulting in a Grade B. The score places the restaurant one point below the Grade C threshold, according to data released by DOHMH on March 30, 2026.

What Inspectors Found

Inspectors cited one non-critical violation during the visit, recorded under Code 10G: deficient cleaning and sanitizing practices for tableware, including dishes, utensils, and equipment used in dishwashing and ware washing operations. No critical violations were documented.

While no critical violations were identified, the single non-critical violation carried sufficient point weight to push the score to 26 — the upper boundary of the Grade B range. Under the NYC scoring system, a score one point higher would have resulted in a Grade C.

Food Safety Context

NYC Health Code Article 81 governs food service establishment sanitation standards in New York City, including requirements for the cleaning and sanitizing of equipment and utensils. The FDA Food Code, which informs local health regulations, establishes that adequate ware washing procedures are essential to prevent cross-contamination and the spread of foodborne illness.

A score of 26 reflects a meaningful accumulation of point deductions. Although the cited violation is classified as non-critical — meaning it does not represent an immediate public health hazard — proper cleaning and sanitizing of food-contact surfaces and utensils is a foundational component of safe food handling practice.

Restaurants receiving a Grade B are required to display that grade card prominently. Establishments may request a re-inspection to attempt to improve their grade.

Inspection History

Miznon's inspection record prior to this visit reflected consistent compliance:

  • November 4, 2024: Score 13 (Grade A)
  • July 13, 2023: Score 13 (Grade A)

The March 2026 inspection represents a significant departure from the restaurant's previous performance. Both prior inspections resulted in scores at the lower end of the Grade A range, indicating strong compliance at those times. The jump from 13 to 26 between the November 2024 and March 2026 inspections marks a notable change.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City's letter grading system is based on the number of points assessed during an inspection. Each violation type carries a point value, and scores are totaled to determine a grade:

  • Grade A: 0–13 points
  • Grade B: 14–27 points
  • Grade C: 28 or more points

Inspections are unannounced and conducted by DOHMH sanitation inspectors. Restaurants may be re-inspected if they receive a score above 13 on an initial inspection.

Full inspection records for all NYC food service establishments are publicly available through the DOHMH restaurant inspection database at nyc.gov/health. Consumers can search by restaurant name, address, or cuisine type to review current and historical inspection data.

More About This Restaurant

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