Inspection conducted Aug 6, 2024 · Data released by DOHMH Feb 6, 2026
CRITICAL VIOLATIONS
Rare Steak & Lobster Cited for Critical Violations - Brooklyn
Published March 10, 2026 12:05 AM
1005 SURF AVENUE, Brooklyn, NY 11224 · Mediterranean
47
Violation Score
A: 0-13 · B: 14-27 · C: 28+
Brooklyn, NY — Rare Steak & Lobster, a Mediterranean restaurant at 1005 Surf Avenue in Coney Island, received a Grade C score of 47 points during a health inspection conducted on August 6, 2024. Inspectors documented 4 critical violations and 25 non-critical violations across multiple areas of the establishment.
What Inspectors Found
The most significant findings involved hand washing facilities. Inspectors cited the restaurant twice under Code 05D for deficiencies related to hand washing stations. The violations noted that hand washing facilities were either not provided in required locations, not accessible, obstructed, used for non-hand washing purposes, or lacked adequate hot and cold running water, soap, or acceptable hand-drying devices. Under the FDA Food Code, accessible and properly equipped hand washing stations are considered a fundamental requirement for preventing the spread of foodborne illness.
Inspectors also recorded two separate critical violations under Code 04J for the absence of properly scaled and calibrated thermometers or thermocouples in food preparation and holding areas. These instruments are required to verify that time and temperature control for safety (TCS) foods are maintained at safe temperatures during cooking, cooling, reheating, and holding.
Beyond the critical findings, inspectors documented a substantial number of non-critical violations across the establishment. Drainage and plumbing issues were cited five times under Code 10B, noting problems with anti-siphonage or back-flow prevention devices, improper floor drainage, or sewage disposal systems in disrepair.
Signage deficiencies accounted for a significant portion of the non-critical violations. The restaurant was cited three times for not posting signs prohibiting smoking or electronic cigarette use (Code 15-27), four times for missing "Choking first aid" posters, "Alcohol and Pregnancy" warning signs, and resuscitation equipment signage (Code 20-04), and four times for not posting required hand washing signs near sinks (Code 09E). Additional signage violations included missing food allergy information posters (Code 20-01, cited twice) and failure to post healthy eating information (Code 20-08, cited four times).
Inspectors also noted issues with non-food contact surfaces and equipment not being kept clean or properly maintained (Code 10F, cited twice) and deficiencies in dishwashing and ware washing procedures (Code 10G).
Food Safety Context
NYC Health Code Article 81 establishes the regulatory framework for food service establishments in New York City. Hand washing requirements are among the most fundamental provisions, as proper hand hygiene is widely recognized by public health authorities as one of the most effective measures for preventing foodborne illness transmission.
The FDA Food Code similarly emphasizes temperature monitoring as a critical food safety control. Without properly calibrated thermometers readily available, food workers cannot verify that TCS foods — including meats, seafood, dairy products, and cooked vegetables — are being held at temperatures that prevent bacterial growth. The danger zone for bacterial multiplication is between 41°F and 135°F.
A score of 47 points places the restaurant well above the 28-point threshold for a Grade C designation.
Inspection History
No prior inspection history is available for this establishment in the DOHMH database.
This inspection was conducted on August 6, 2024. The data was released by the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) on February 6, 2026. Readers should note the gap between the inspection date and data publication when considering the current status of the establishment.
Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades
New York City's restaurant grading system assigns letter grades based on the total violation points recorded during an inspection:
- 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 a re-inspection. The restaurant posts the grade from whichever inspection yields the better score.
Consumers can look up any restaurant's inspection history through the DOHMH restaurant inspection database or by searching on NYCRestaurantInspections.com. The letter grade must be posted at the entrance of the establishment where it is visible to the public.
More About This Restaurant
View the full inspection history for Rare Steak & Lobster including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.
Violations Documented — Aug 6, 2024
Non-Critical
Sign prohibiting smoking or using electronic cigarettes not conspicuously posted. (Code 15-27)
CRITICAL
No hand washing facility in or adjacent to toilet room or within 25 feet of a food preparation, food service or ware washing area. Hand washing facility not accessible, obstructed or used for non-hand washing purposes. No hot and cold running water or water at inadequate pressure. No soap or acceptable hand-drying device. (Code 05D)
Non-Critical
Sign prohibiting smoking or using electronic cigarettes not conspicuously posted. (Code 15-27)
Non-Critical
Wash hands sign not posted near or above hand washing sink. (Code 09E)
Non-Critical
Non-food contact surface or equipment made of unacceptable material, not kept clean, or not properly sealed, raised, spaced or movable to allow accessibility for cleaning on all sides, above and underneath the unit. (Code 10F)
Non-Critical
“Choking first aid” poster not posted. “Alcohol and Pregnancy” warning sign not posted. Resuscitation equipment: exhaled air resuscitation masks (adult & pediatric), latex gloves, sign not posted. (Code 20-04)
Non-Critical
Anti-siphonage or back-flow prevention device not provided where required; equipment or floor not properly drained; sewage disposal system in disrepair or not functioning properly. Condensation or liquid waste improperly disposed of. (Code 10B)
Non-Critical
Anti-siphonage or back-flow prevention device not provided where required; equipment or floor not properly drained; sewage disposal system in disrepair or not functioning properly. Condensation or liquid waste improperly disposed of. (Code 10B)
Non-Critical
Failure to post or conspicuously post healthy eating information (Code 20-08)
Non-Critical
Anti-siphonage or back-flow prevention device not provided where required; equipment or floor not properly drained; sewage disposal system in disrepair or not functioning properly. Condensation or liquid waste improperly disposed of. (Code 10B)
CRITICAL
No hand washing facility in or adjacent to toilet room or within 25 feet of a food preparation, food service or ware washing area. Hand washing facility not accessible, obstructed or used for non-hand washing purposes. No hot and cold running water or water at inadequate pressure. No soap or acceptable hand-drying device. (Code 05D)
Non-Critical
Food allergy information poster not conspicuously posted where food is being prepared or processed by food workers. (Code 20-01)
Non-Critical
Dishwashing and ware washing: Cleaning and sanitizing of tableware, including dishes, utensils, and equipment deficient. (Code 10G)
Non-Critical
Failure to post or conspicuously post healthy eating information (Code 20-08)
Non-Critical
Non-food contact surface or equipment made of unacceptable material, not kept clean, or not properly sealed, raised, spaced or movable to allow accessibility for cleaning on all sides, above and underneath the unit. (Code 10F)
Non-Critical
Sign prohibiting smoking or using electronic cigarettes not conspicuously posted. (Code 15-27)
CRITICAL
Properly scaled and calibrated thermometer or thermocouple not provided or not readily accessible in food preparation and hot/cold holding areas to measure temperatures of TCS foods during cooking, cooling, reheating, and holding. (Code 04J)
Non-Critical
Wash hands sign not posted near or above hand washing sink. (Code 09E)
Non-Critical
“Choking first aid” poster not posted. “Alcohol and Pregnancy” warning sign not posted. Resuscitation equipment: exhaled air resuscitation masks (adult & pediatric), latex gloves, sign not posted. (Code 20-04)
Non-Critical
“Choking first aid” poster not posted. “Alcohol and Pregnancy” warning sign not posted. Resuscitation equipment: exhaled air resuscitation masks (adult & pediatric), latex gloves, sign not posted. (Code 20-04)
Non-Critical
Anti-siphonage or back-flow prevention device not provided where required; equipment or floor not properly drained; sewage disposal system in disrepair or not functioning properly. Condensation or liquid waste improperly disposed of. (Code 10B)
Non-Critical
Food allergy information poster not conspicuously posted where food is being prepared or processed by food workers. (Code 20-01)
Non-Critical
Wash hands sign not posted near or above hand washing sink. (Code 09E)
Non-Critical
Failure to post or conspicuously post healthy eating information (Code 20-08)
Non-Critical
“Choking first aid” poster not posted. “Alcohol and Pregnancy” warning sign not posted. Resuscitation equipment: exhaled air resuscitation masks (adult & pediatric), latex gloves, sign not posted. (Code 20-04)
Non-Critical
Wash hands sign not posted near or above hand washing sink. (Code 09E)
Non-Critical
Failure to post or conspicuously post healthy eating information (Code 20-08)
Non-Critical
Anti-siphonage or back-flow prevention device not provided where required; equipment or floor not properly drained; sewage disposal system in disrepair or not functioning properly. Condensation or liquid waste improperly disposed of. (Code 10B)
CRITICAL
Properly scaled and calibrated thermometer or thermocouple not provided or not readily accessible in food preparation and hot/cold holding areas to measure temperatures of TCS foods during cooking, cooling, reheating, and holding. (Code 04J)
Inspection History
| Date |
Score |
Grade |
Status |
| Aug 6, 2024 |
47 |
N
|
This inspection |
View full inspection history for Rare Steak & Lobster at 1005 SURF AVENUE, Brooklyn →
Editorial Standards & Data Transparency
Data Source: This report is based on official public inspection data from the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH), released under the NYC Open Data program.
Editorial Process: Content generated using AI (Claude) to synthesize official inspection data into accessible reporting, then reviewed and verified for accuracy by our editorial team.
Professional Review: All content undergoes standards and compliance oversight by Christopher F. Nesbitt, Sr., NH EMT & BU-trained Paralegal, through Twin Digital Media's regulatory data auditing protocols.
Regulatory References: NYC Health Code Article 81, FDA Food Code (2022). NYC Restaurant Inspections is an independent public data reporting service. We are not affiliated with the City of New York.
| Last verified: March 13, 2026 | Our methodology