Manhattan, NY — Otani, a Japanese restaurant located at 59 Nassau Street in lower Manhattan, was closed by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) following a health inspection conducted on February 10, 2026. The restaurant received a score of 66, placing it well into the C grade range and prompting immediate closure by inspectors.
The restaurant has since reopened. A follow-up inspection on February 13, 2026 resulted in a score of 2, indicating the establishment addressed the issues that led to its closure.
What Inspectors Found
During the February 10 inspection, DOHMH inspectors cited Otani for one non-critical violation related to pest management documentation. Specifically, the restaurant did not have a contract with a pest management professional in place, and records of extermination activities were not being kept on the premises, a violation of code 28-06.
While only one violation was formally documented during this inspection cycle, the overall score of 66 reflects the cumulative point assessment applied by DOHMH inspectors during their evaluation. The score placed the restaurant significantly above the 28-point threshold for a C grade, which is the lowest letter grade issued under the city's restaurant grading system.
The closure action indicated that violations were cited and those requiring immediate action were addressed at the time of inspection.
Food Safety Context
New York City's restaurant inspection program operates under NYC Health Code Article 81, which establishes the sanitary standards all food service establishments must meet. The inspection and grading system is designed to protect public health by ensuring restaurants maintain safe food handling, storage, and preparation practices.
The requirement to maintain a pest management contract and keep extermination records on-site reflects guidelines aligned with the FDA Food Code, which emphasizes integrated pest management as a core component of food safety. Pest management documentation allows inspectors to verify that a restaurant is taking proactive steps to prevent pest activity, which can lead to contamination of food and food preparation surfaces.
Under the city's enforcement framework, DOHMH has the authority to close any food establishment that presents conditions deemed an imminent threat to public health. Closure orders require the restaurant to correct all cited violations before being permitted to reopen. A reinspection must then confirm that conditions meet the standards set forth in the Health Code.
Otani's rapid turnaround — reopening just three days after closure with a score of 2 — suggests the restaurant took swift corrective action to resolve the issues identified during the initial inspection.
Inspection History
Otani's recent inspection record shows a pattern of scoring that has fluctuated over the past year:
- Feb 13, 2026: Score 2, Grade Z (Reopened after closure)
- Feb 10, 2026: Score 66, Grade C, Closed by DOHMH
- May 20, 2025: Score 35, Grade N
The May 2025 inspection resulted in a score of 35, which also placed the restaurant in the C grade range. A Grade N designation indicates that the grade was not yet determined at the time of that inspection cycle, which typically occurs during initial or reinspection phases before a final grade is posted.
The February 2026 closure and subsequent reinspection score of 2 represents a significant improvement and suggests the restaurant has brought its operations into compliance with city health standards.
Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades
New York City assigns letter grades to restaurants based on the total violation points accumulated during an inspection. The grading scale is as follows:
- A: 0–13 points (lowest number of violation points)
- B: 14–27 points
- C: 28 or more points
Lower scores indicate fewer and less severe violations. Restaurants that receive a B or C grade on an initial inspection have the option to request a reinspection, during which they can improve their score and potentially receive a higher grade. Grades must be posted at the restaurant entrance where they are visible to the public.
A score of 66, as Otani received on February 10, falls well above the C threshold and indicated conditions that warranted immediate closure by DOHMH.
Data and Public Records
The inspection data referenced in this report was collected by DOHMH on February 10, 2026, and released publicly on February 12, 2026. All New York City restaurant inspection results are public record and can be accessed through the DOHMH restaurant inspection database.
Consumers can look up any restaurant's inspection history, current grade, and specific violations through the city's online portal. The system is designed to provide transparency and allow diners to make informed decisions about where they eat.
For the most current information about Otani's inspection status, residents can visit the official NYC restaurant inspection lookup tool maintained by DOHMH.
More About This Restaurant
View the full inspection history for Otani including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.