Manhattan, NY — Raf's, the New French restaurant at 290 Elizabeth Street in NoLita, received a score of 29 during a health inspection conducted on February 12, 2026, according to public records released by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) on February 16, 2026. The score places the restaurant in Grade C territory, which applies to establishments scoring 28 points or higher.

The inspection identified one critical violation and no non-critical violations. This is the third consecutive inspection in which Raf's has received a score of 29.

What Inspectors Found

Inspectors documented a single critical violation during the February 12 inspection:

  • Hot TCS food item not held at or above 140 °F (Violation Code 02B): Time/temperature control for safety (TCS) foods that are served hot must be maintained at an internal temperature of 140 °F or above. Inspectors found that hot TCS food items at the establishment were not being held at the required minimum temperature.

TCS foods include items such as cooked meats, poultry, seafood, dairy products, cooked vegetables, and certain grain-based dishes. These foods are classified as high-risk because they support rapid bacterial growth when held in the temperature danger zone between 41 °F and 140 °F. When hot foods fall below the 140 °F threshold, harmful bacteria such as Clostridium perfringens, Salmonella, and Staphylococcus aureus can multiply to levels that may cause foodborne illness.

Food Safety Context

The temperature requirements for hot holding are established under both the FDA Food Code and NYC Health Code Article 81, which governs food service establishments in New York City. Article 81 requires that all food service operators maintain TCS foods at proper temperatures throughout preparation, holding, and service.

The FDA Food Code designates the range between 41 °F and 140 °F as the "temperature danger zone." Foods held within this range for extended periods present an elevated risk for bacterial contamination. The hot holding requirement of 140 °F or above is considered a fundamental food safety control, and failure to maintain this standard is classified as a critical violation by DOHMH because of its direct relationship to foodborne illness risk.

Restaurants cited for critical violations are required to correct the conditions promptly. DOHMH may conduct re-inspections to verify compliance, and repeated critical findings can result in additional enforcement actions.

Inspection History

Public records show the following inspection history for Raf's:

  • February 12, 2026: Score 29
  • December 23, 2025: Score 29
  • November 24, 2025: Score 29
  • September 12, 2023: Score 12 (Grade A)

The restaurant had previously maintained a Grade A rating, as reflected in its September 2023 inspection where it received a score of 12. However, beginning in late 2025, the establishment has recorded three consecutive scores of 29, each placing it in the Grade C range. This pattern indicates a sustained departure from the restaurant's earlier compliance record.

It should be noted that inspection scores reflect conditions observed on the specific date of the inspection and may not represent the restaurant's conditions on any other day. Restaurants have the opportunity to address cited violations and request re-inspections.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City's restaurant grading system, administered by DOHMH, assigns letter grades based on the total number of violation points recorded during an inspection. Lower scores indicate fewer or less severe violations:

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

Restaurants that receive a Grade B or C on an initial inspection may request an adjudicatory hearing or a re-inspection. During the adjudication process, restaurants may display a "Grade Pending" card rather than the letter grade.

The grading system has been in place since 2010 and is designed to provide the public with accessible information about restaurant food safety compliance. All inspection results are part of the public record and are available through the DOHMH restaurant inspection database.

Consumers can look up the latest inspection results for any restaurant in New York City by visiting the DOHMH restaurant grades search page or by checking the letter grade card posted at the establishment's entrance.

More About This Restaurant

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