Manhattan, NY — Pardon Me, a French restaurant located at 162 Orchard Street on the Lower East Side, received a Grade B score of 26 following a health inspection conducted on July 29, 2025. The score places the restaurant at the upper boundary of the Grade B range, just one point below the 28-point threshold that triggers a Grade C designation.
The inspection was conducted by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH). Data from this inspection was released publicly on March 5, 2026.
What Inspectors Found
During the inspection, DOHMH inspectors documented one critical violation and no non-critical violations at the establishment.
The critical violation, cited under code 04N, involved the presence of filth flies or food/refuse/sewage-associated (FRSA) flies or other nuisance pests in the restaurant's food and non-food areas. FRSA flies encompass several species including house flies, blow flies, bottle flies, flesh flies, drain flies, Phorid flies, and fruit flies. The presence of these pests in a food service environment is classified as a critical violation due to the direct risk they pose as vectors for foodborne illness.
Despite recording only a single violation, the 26-point score indicates the condition was assessed at a high severity level. Under the DOHMH scoring system, individual violations carry different point values based on their nature, severity, and the specific conditions observed at the time of inspection. A single critical pest violation scored at this level reflects a notable finding.
Food Safety Context
Pest control is a fundamental component of food safety management under both NYC Health Code Article 81 and the FDA Food Code. These regulations require food service establishments to maintain pest-free environments, implement integrated pest management practices, and eliminate conditions that attract or harbor pests.
FRSA flies are of particular concern in restaurant settings because they breed in organic matter, including food waste and sewage, and can transfer pathogens to food preparation surfaces and served items. Restaurants are required to maintain proper sanitation, waste disposal, and structural integrity to prevent pest entry and harborage.
Inspection History
This appears to be the first recorded inspection for Pardon Me in the DOHMH public database. No prior inspection history is available for comparison.
Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades
New York City assigns letter grades to restaurants based on violation scores accumulated during inspections:
- A (0–13 points): The restaurant is in substantial compliance with food safety regulations
- B (14–27 points): The restaurant has conditions that need improvement
- C (28+ points): The restaurant has conditions that require significant correction
Pardon Me's score of 26 falls within the Grade B range but sits at the high end, just one point from the Grade C threshold of 28. Restaurants receiving a B or C grade on an initial inspection are entitled to a re-inspection, during which they have the opportunity to correct cited violations and potentially achieve a lower score.
Consumers can verify restaurant inspection results through the DOHMH restaurant inspection search portal or by checking the letter grade posted at the establishment's entrance, as required by law. Inspection data, including violation details and historical scores, is part of the public record and is available through NYC Open Data.
More About This Restaurant
View the full inspection history for Pardon Me including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.