Manhattan, NY — Parm, the Italian restaurant at 235 Columbus Avenue on the Upper West Side, received a score of 34 during a New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) inspection conducted on March 12, 2026. The score places the restaurant in Grade C territory, a significant decline from its Grade A rating received just four months earlier.

The inspection identified one critical violation and no non-critical violations. The inspection data was released by DOHMH on March 16, 2026.

What Inspectors Found

During the March 12 inspection, DOHMH inspectors documented a single critical violation under code 02B: hot time/temperature control for safety (TCS) food items were not being held at or above 140 °F.

TCS foods — which include cooked meats, pasta, sauces, and other prepared items commonly served at Italian restaurants — require continuous temperature control to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria. When these foods fall below the 140 °F threshold in a hot-holding environment, they enter what food safety professionals refer to as the "danger zone" between 41 °F and 140 °F, where bacterial growth can occur rapidly.

The violation was cited under DOHMH's scoring framework, which assigns point values based on the nature and severity of each violation found. Critical violations related to temperature control carry substantial point values, reflecting the direct risk they pose to public health.

Food Safety Context

NYC Health Code Article 81 establishes the regulatory framework for food service establishments in New York City. Temperature control requirements align with the FDA Food Code, which mandates that hot TCS foods be maintained at 140 °F or above during holding and service.

According to the FDA Food Code, TCS foods that remain in the temperature danger zone for extended periods can support the growth of pathogens including Salmonella, E. coli, and Clostridium perfringens. Proper hot-holding procedures are considered a fundamental component of food safety management in commercial kitchens.

The DOHMH inspection program conducts unannounced inspections of approximately 27,000 restaurants across New York City. Inspectors evaluate food handling practices, facility conditions, and operational procedures against established health code standards.

Inspection History

Parm's inspection record shows variability in compliance over the past several years:

  • Nov 26, 2024: Score 12, Grade A
  • Jul 25, 2024: Score 23
  • Jan 26, 2023: Score 13, Grade A
  • Jun 27, 2022: Score 66

The restaurant's most recent prior inspection in November 2024 resulted in a score of 12 and a Grade A designation, indicating strong compliance at that time. The current score of 34 represents a 22-point increase from that inspection.

The 2022 inspection score of 66 indicates the restaurant has experienced periods of elevated violations in the past. The subsequent inspections in 2023 and late 2024 showed marked improvement before the current cycle.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City's restaurant grading system assigns letter grades based on inspection scores:

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

A score of 34 falls into the Grade C range. Restaurants that score 28 or above on an initial inspection are typically offered a re-inspection opportunity. If the restaurant scores within Grade A or B range upon re-inspection, the improved grade is posted. Restaurants may also request an adjudicatory hearing through the Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings (OATH) to contest inspection findings.

Grade cards are required to be posted at restaurant entrances where they are visible to the public, as mandated by NYC Health Code Article 81.

Consumers can verify any restaurant's current inspection status and complete violation history through the DOHMH restaurant inspection database, available online at the NYC Open Data portal. The inspection data referenced in this article reflects records released as of March 16, 2026, and the restaurant's status may have changed since the inspection date.

More About This Restaurant

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