Manhattan, NY — Park At Kims, a coffee and tea shop at 119 Elizabeth Street in Manhattan, received a score of 64 — a Grade C — following a health inspection conducted April 7, 2026. Inspectors documented two critical violations related to temperature control equipment and food protection. Data from the inspection was released by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) on April 9, 2026.

What Inspectors Found

Inspectors cited two critical violations during the April inspection, both of which relate to foundational food safety requirements.

The first violation, Code 05F, was cited for insufficient or absent equipment capable of maintaining Time/Temperature Control for Safety (TCS) foods at required temperatures. TCS foods — including dairy products, prepared beverages containing milk, and other perishable ingredients commonly used in coffee and tea service — must be held at or below 41°F for cold items or at or above 140°F for hot items, as specified under FDA Food Code guidelines. Failure to maintain proper temperatures creates conditions in which harmful bacteria can multiply to unsafe levels.

The second critical violation, Code 06C, was cited for food, supplies, or equipment not adequately protected from potential sources of contamination during storage, preparation, or service. Inspectors also noted that condiments were not provided in single-service containers or dispensed directly by the vendor, as required. This provision under NYC Health Code Article 81 is designed to prevent cross-contamination from shared or refillable containers that customers may handle.

Both violations are classified as critical, meaning they represent conditions with a direct potential to contribute to foodborne illness if left uncorrected.

Food Safety Context

New York City's restaurant inspection program is administered by DOHMH under NYC Health Code Article 81. Inspections are unannounced and scored on a point-based system in which each violation carries a designated point value. Critical violations, which address the most direct food safety risks, carry higher point values than non-critical violations.

Under the FDA Food Code — which NYC's regulations align with — temperature control for perishable foods is one of the most significant factors in preventing foodborne illness. Bacteria such as Salmonella, Listeria, and E. coli can grow rapidly when TCS foods are stored outside the safe temperature range. Equipment maintenance and availability are considered operator responsibilities, regardless of the volume or style of food service.

The contamination protection requirement under Code 06C applies across all food service establishment types, including beverage-focused operations. Even in settings where full meal preparation does not occur, any food or beverage ingredient in contact with shared surfaces or customer-accessible containers carries a contamination risk.

Inspection History

Park At Kims has one prior inspection on record with DOHMH:

  • May 18, 2026: Score 36 (Grade Z)

A Grade Z designation is assigned when a restaurant has been inspected but is either awaiting re-inspection or the grade is under adjudication. The May 2026 entry postdates the April 7 inspection covered in this article, suggesting ongoing inspection activity at the location.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

DOHMH assigns letter grades based on the total score received during an inspection:

  • A: Score of 0–13 points (fewest violations)
  • B: Score of 14–27 points
  • C: Score of 28 or more points (most violations)

A lower score reflects fewer or less severe violations. Restaurants that receive a B or C on their initial inspection may request a re-inspection before their grade is finalized and posted. Grades must be displayed prominently at the entrance of the establishment.

Inspection records for all New York City restaurants are publicly available through the DOHMH Restaurant Inspection Results database at the NYC Open Data portal. Consumers can search by restaurant name, address, or cuisine type to review full violation histories.

More About This Restaurant

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