Manhattan, NY — Patiala Grill, an Indian restaurant located at 371 West 34th Street in Manhattan, received a score of 38 during a New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) inspection conducted on February 17, 2026. The score places the restaurant in Grade C territory, a significant departure from its prior record of Grade A results.
Inspectors documented one critical violation and one non-critical violation during the inspection. The data was released by DOHMH on February 19, 2026.
What Inspectors Found
The most serious finding involved a critical violation under code 06C: food, supplies, or equipment were not adequately protected from potential sources of contamination during storage, preparation, transportation, display, or service. The citation also noted that condiments were not provided in single-service containers or dispensed directly by the vendor. Under NYC inspection protocols, this category of violation is classified as critical because it represents a condition that could directly contribute to foodborne illness.
Inspectors additionally cited a non-critical violation under code 10E, noting that an accurate thermometer was not provided or properly located in refrigerated, cold storage, or hot holding equipment. While classified as non-critical, proper thermometer placement is an essential component of food safety monitoring, as it enables staff to verify that foods are stored at temperatures that inhibit bacterial growth.
The combined point total of 38 from these two violations resulted in a Grade C designation, which is assigned to restaurants scoring 28 or more points on the DOHMH inspection scale.
Food Safety Context
NYC Health Code Article 81 establishes the regulatory framework governing food service establishments in New York City. Under these regulations, food must be protected from contamination at all stages of handling, from receiving through service. The FDA Food Code, which serves as the model for many local regulations, similarly requires that food be stored, prepared, and displayed in a manner that prevents contamination from external sources.
The contamination protection violation cited at Patiala Grill addresses a foundational food safety principle. When food is exposed to potential contamination sources — whether from environmental factors, improper storage conditions, or cross-contact with other materials — the risk of foodborne illness increases. The condiment-related portion of the citation reflects requirements that shared condiments be dispensed in a manner that prevents customer-to-customer cross-contamination.
Temperature monitoring, addressed by the non-critical violation, supports the broader food safety system. Refrigerated foods must generally be maintained at or below 41°F, and hot-held foods at or above 140°F. Without properly placed and accurate thermometers, staff cannot reliably verify that equipment is maintaining safe temperatures.
Inspection History
Patiala Grill's prior inspection record shows a consistent pattern of compliance before the February 2026 inspection:
- 2024-10-22: Score 12 (Grade A)
- 2023-05-03: Score 12 (Grade A)
- 2022-03-02: Score 10 (Grade A)
- 2022-01-20: Score 16
The restaurant had received Grade A scores on its three most recent graded inspections, with scores of 12, 12, and 10 points respectively. The February 2026 score of 38 represents the highest point total in the restaurant's available inspection history and its first result outside the Grade A range.
Under DOHMH procedures, restaurants that receive a Grade C on an initial inspection may request a re-inspection. The grade posted at the establishment reflects the most recent adjudicated result.
Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades
New York City's restaurant grading system assigns letter grades based on total violation points documented during inspections:
- Grade A: 0–13 points
- Grade B: 14–27 points
- Grade C: 28 or more points
Lower scores indicate fewer or less serious violations. The grading system has been in effect since 2010 and covers more than 27,000 restaurants across the five boroughs.
Consumers can look up any restaurant's inspection history through the DOHMH website or the NYC Open Data portal. Inspection results for Patiala Grill and all other NYC restaurants are public record and updated regularly as new inspections are completed.
More About This Restaurant
View the full inspection history for Patiala Grill including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.