Manhattan, NY — Nova Pizza & Grill, a pizzeria located at 1739 2nd Avenue on the Upper East Side, received a score of 62 during a New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) inspection conducted on March 2, 2026. The score places the restaurant well above the 28-point threshold for a Grade C, the lowest letter grade issued under the city's restaurant grading system.
The inspection data was released by DOHMH on March 5, 2026.
What Inspectors Found
During the inspection, DOHMH inspectors documented a violation related to the restaurant's plumbing and drainage systems. Specifically, the establishment was cited for failure to provide anti-siphonage or back-flow prevention devices where required. Inspectors also noted issues with improper drainage of equipment or floors, a sewage disposal system in disrepair or not functioning properly, and improper disposal of condensation or liquid waste.
This violation falls under DOHMH violation code 10B, which addresses plumbing infrastructure and waste disposal requirements in food service establishments. While categorized as a non-critical violation, plumbing and drainage deficiencies can create conditions that affect the overall sanitary environment of a food preparation area.
It should be noted that while the restaurant's total score of 62 is notably high, the inspection record lists one non-critical violation and zero critical violations. The significant gap between the single documented violation and the overall score suggests that additional violation details may not yet be fully reflected in the publicly available data, or that the scoring reflects multiple components within the cited violation area.
Food Safety Context
NYC Health Code Article 81 establishes the sanitary standards that all food service establishments in the city must meet. These regulations cover a wide range of requirements, from food handling and temperature control to facility maintenance and plumbing infrastructure.
The FDA Food Code, which serves as the model framework for local jurisdictions, emphasizes the importance of proper plumbing systems in food establishments. Back-flow prevention devices are required to prevent contaminated water from flowing back into the clean water supply — a fundamental safeguard in any facility that prepares food for public consumption. Proper drainage systems are similarly essential to prevent standing water, which can attract pests and create unsanitary conditions.
Under NYC's restaurant grading system, establishments that receive a score of 28 or higher during an initial inspection are typically scheduled for a re-inspection, during which the restaurant has an opportunity to correct violations and potentially achieve a lower score.
Inspection History
No prior inspection history is available in the DOHMH public database for Nova Pizza & Grill at this location. This may indicate that the March 2, 2026 inspection was the establishment's first recorded inspection, or that the restaurant operates under a recently issued permit.
Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades
New York City's restaurant grading system, administered by DOHMH, assigns letter grades based on the total points accumulated during an inspection. Points are assessed for each violation found, with more serious violations carrying higher point values.
- Grade A: 0–13 points — indicates the fewest violations
- Grade B: 14–27 points — indicates moderate violations
- Grade C: 28 or more points — indicates the most significant violations
A score of 62 falls well into the Grade C range. Restaurants that receive a Grade C are required to post the grade card in a location visible to the public. The establishment will typically be scheduled for a re-inspection, providing an opportunity to address cited violations and potentially improve their score.
Consumers can look up any restaurant's inspection history, including specific violations and scores, through the DOHMH restaurant inspection database, which is publicly accessible online. The data used in this report is sourced from that public record system.
Nova Pizza & Grill is located at 1739 2nd Avenue in Manhattan's Upper East Side neighborhood, ZIP code 10128.
More About This Restaurant
View the full inspection history for Nova Pizza & Grill including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.
Violations Documented — Mar 2, 2026
CRITICAL
Sanitized equipment or utensil, including in-use food dispensing utensil, improperly used or stored. (Code 06E)
CRITICAL
Food, supplies, or equipment not protected from potential source of contamination during storage, preparation, transportation, display, service or from customer’s refillable, reusable container. Condiments not in single-service containers or dispensed directly by the vendor. (Code 06C)
CRITICAL
No hand washing facility in or adjacent to toilet room or within 25 feet of a food preparation, food service or ware washing area. Hand washing facility not accessible, obstructed or used for non-hand washing purposes. No hot and cold running water or water at inadequate pressure. No soap or acceptable hand-drying device. (Code 05D)
CRITICAL
Food Protection Certificate (FPC) not held by manager or supervisor of food operations. (Code 04A)
CRITICAL
Sanitized equipment or utensil, including in-use food dispensing utensil, improperly used or stored. (Code 06E)
CRITICAL
Food, supplies, or equipment not protected from potential source of contamination during storage, preparation, transportation, display, service or from customer’s refillable, reusable container. Condiments not in single-service containers or dispensed directly by the vendor. (Code 06C)
CRITICAL
No hand washing facility in or adjacent to toilet room or within 25 feet of a food preparation, food service or ware washing area. Hand washing facility not accessible, obstructed or used for non-hand washing purposes. No hot and cold running water or water at inadequate pressure. No soap or acceptable hand-drying device. (Code 05D)
CRITICAL
Food Protection Certificate (FPC) not held by manager or supervisor of food operations. (Code 04A)
CRITICAL
Sanitized equipment or utensil, including in-use food dispensing utensil, improperly used or stored. (Code 06E)
CRITICAL
Food, supplies, or equipment not protected from potential source of contamination during storage, preparation, transportation, display, service or from customer’s refillable, reusable container. Condiments not in single-service containers or dispensed directly by the vendor. (Code 06C)
CRITICAL
No hand washing facility in or adjacent to toilet room or within 25 feet of a food preparation, food service or ware washing area. Hand washing facility not accessible, obstructed or used for non-hand washing purposes. No hot and cold running water or water at inadequate pressure. No soap or acceptable hand-drying device. (Code 05D)
CRITICAL
Food Protection Certificate (FPC) not held by manager or supervisor of food operations. (Code 04A)
CRITICAL
Sanitized equipment or utensil, including in-use food dispensing utensil, improperly used or stored. (Code 06E)
CRITICAL
Food, supplies, or equipment not protected from potential source of contamination during storage, preparation, transportation, display, service or from customer’s refillable, reusable container. Condiments not in single-service containers or dispensed directly by the vendor. (Code 06C)
CRITICAL
No hand washing facility in or adjacent to toilet room or within 25 feet of a food preparation, food service or ware washing area. Hand washing facility not accessible, obstructed or used for non-hand washing purposes. No hot and cold running water or water at inadequate pressure. No soap or acceptable hand-drying device. (Code 05D)
CRITICAL
Food Protection Certificate (FPC) not held by manager or supervisor of food operations. (Code 04A)
Non-Critical
“Choking first aid” poster not posted. “Alcohol and Pregnancy” warning sign not posted. Resuscitation equipment: exhaled air resuscitation masks (adult & pediatric), latex gloves, sign not posted. (Code 20-04)
Non-Critical
“Choking first aid” poster not posted. “Alcohol and Pregnancy” warning sign not posted. Resuscitation equipment: exhaled air resuscitation masks (adult & pediatric), latex gloves, sign not posted. (Code 20-04)
Non-Critical
Establishment is not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects or other pests. (Code 08A)
Non-Critical
“Choking first aid” poster not posted. “Alcohol and Pregnancy” warning sign not posted. Resuscitation equipment: exhaled air resuscitation masks (adult & pediatric), latex gloves, sign not posted. (Code 20-04)
Non-Critical
“Choking first aid” poster not posted. “Alcohol and Pregnancy” warning sign not posted. Resuscitation equipment: exhaled air resuscitation masks (adult & pediatric), latex gloves, sign not posted. (Code 20-04)
Non-Critical
“Choking first aid” poster not posted. “Alcohol and Pregnancy” warning sign not posted. Resuscitation equipment: exhaled air resuscitation masks (adult & pediatric), latex gloves, sign not posted. (Code 20-04)
Non-Critical
Anti-siphonage or back-flow prevention device not provided where required; equipment or floor not properly drained; sewage disposal system in disrepair or not functioning properly. Condensation or liquid waste improperly disposed of. (Code 10B)
Non-Critical
“Choking first aid” poster not posted. “Alcohol and Pregnancy” warning sign not posted. Resuscitation equipment: exhaled air resuscitation masks (adult & pediatric), latex gloves, sign not posted. (Code 20-04)
CRITICAL
Food, supplies, or equipment not protected from potential source of contamination during storage, preparation, transportation, display, service or from customer’s refillable, reusable container. Condiments not in single-service containers or dispensed directly by the vendor. (Code 06C)
Non-Critical
Anti-siphonage or back-flow prevention device not provided where required; equipment or floor not properly drained; sewage disposal system in disrepair or not functioning properly. Condensation or liquid waste improperly disposed of. (Code 10B)