Manhattan, NY — Paris Baguette at 591 Lexington Avenue received a score of 27 during a New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) inspection conducted on March 19, 2026, placing the bakery at the upper boundary of the Grade B range. Data from the inspection was released by DOHMH on March 23, 2026.

A score of 27 represents the highest possible result within the Grade B tier. One additional point would have pushed the restaurant into Grade C territory.

What Inspectors Found

Inspectors documented one critical violation during the visit. The cited violation — Code 02B — identified that hot temperature-controlled for safety (TCS) food items were not being held at or above 140°F as required.

Maintaining hot foods at 140°F or above is a foundational requirement in commercial food service. When hot foods fall below this threshold, the temperature range between 41°F and 140°F — known as the "temperature danger zone" — allows for the potential multiplication of harmful bacteria including Salmonella, Listeria, and Staphylococcus aureus.

No non-critical violations were recorded during the inspection.

Food Safety Context

The temperature holding requirement cited in this inspection is addressed under NYC Health Code Article 81 and aligns with standards set out in the FDA Food Code. Together, these frameworks establish the minimum safe holding temperatures for cooked and hot-held foods sold to the public.

Bakeries and dessert establishments that also serve hot food items — such as soups, pastries held warm, or hot beverages — are subject to the same temperature controls as full-service restaurants. A single critical violation of this type carries significant point weight under DOHMH's scoring methodology, contributing directly to the elevated score recorded here.

Inspection History

Paris Baguette's recent inspection record shows variability in scores:

  • December 5, 2024: Score 12 (Grade A)
  • September 26, 2024: Score 31

The September 2024 inspection resulted in a score of 31, which falls within the Grade C range. The December 2024 follow-up brought the score down to 12, a Grade A result. The March 2026 inspection recorded a score of 27, representing a decline from the most recent prior visit.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

DOHMH assigns letter grades based on inspection scores. Lower scores reflect fewer or less severe violations:

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

A score of 27 is a passing Grade B result, but sits at the ceiling of that range. Restaurants that receive a Grade B or C may request a re-inspection or adjudication through the Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings (OATH).

Inspection records for all New York City restaurants are publicly available through the DOHMH Restaurant Inspection Results database at nyc.gov. Consumers can search any establishment by name or address to review full inspection histories.

More About This Restaurant

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