Manhattan, NY — Reserve Cut, an upscale Jewish/Kosher restaurant located at 109 East 56th Street in Midtown Manhattan, received a score of 41 on a health inspection conducted on February 19, 2026, according to New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) records. The score places the establishment in Grade C territory, indicating 28 or more violation points were assessed during the inspection.
The inspection data was released by DOHMH on February 23, 2026. Inspectors documented two non-critical violations during the visit, and the action recorded was that violations were cited.
What Inspectors Found
During the February 19 inspection, DOHMH inspectors identified two non-critical violations at the establishment:
The first violation, cited under Code 10F, noted that non-food contact surfaces or equipment were made of unacceptable material, were not kept clean, or were not properly sealed, raised, spaced, or movable to allow accessibility for cleaning on all sides, above, and underneath the unit. This violation addresses the condition and maintenance of surfaces and equipment that do not come into direct contact with food but are still required to meet sanitation standards.
The second violation, cited under Code 10G, identified deficiencies in dishwashing and ware washing procedures. Specifically, the cleaning and sanitizing of tableware — including dishes, utensils, and equipment — was found to be deficient. Proper dishwashing procedures are essential to preventing cross-contamination and ensuring that items used in food service meet hygiene standards.
No critical violations were documented during this inspection. The score of 41 reflects the cumulative point values assigned to the violations identified, as determined by the DOHMH scoring system.
Food Safety Context
NYC Health Code Article 81 establishes the regulatory framework for food service establishments operating in New York City. Under these regulations, all restaurants are required to maintain sanitary conditions across all areas of operation, including both food-contact and non-food-contact surfaces.
The FDA Food Code, which serves as a model for local food safety regulations nationwide, emphasizes the importance of properly maintained and sanitized equipment. Non-food contact surfaces, while not directly touching consumable items, can harbor bacteria and other contaminants that may transfer to food preparation areas if not adequately cleaned and maintained.
Dishwashing and ware washing standards require that all tableware, utensils, and equipment be cleaned and sanitized through approved methods — either through commercial dishwashing machines operating at proper temperatures or through manual washing procedures that include appropriate sanitizing solutions. Deficiencies in these processes can compromise the overall hygiene of a food service operation.
Inspection History
Reserve Cut's available inspection history with DOHMH includes the following:
- February 19, 2026: Score 41, violations cited
- 2024-09-05: Score 0 (Grade N)
The September 2024 inspection resulted in a score of 0 with a Grade N designation. A Grade N indicates that the inspection was a new establishment inspection or that the grade had not yet been assigned at the time of recording. The significant increase from a score of 0 to a score of 41 represents a notable change in the restaurant's inspection performance.
Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades
New York City's restaurant grading system, administered by DOHMH, assigns letter grades based on the total violation points accumulated during an inspection:
- Grade A: 0 to 13 points
- Grade B: 14 to 27 points
- Grade C: 28 or more points
A score of 41 falls within the Grade C range. Restaurants that receive a Grade B or C on an initial inspection may request a re-inspection. If the re-inspection yields a lower score, the grade may be adjusted accordingly. Restaurants also have the option to contest their grades through the Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings.
All New York City restaurant inspection results are public record and are available through the DOHMH restaurant inspection database. Consumers can search for any restaurant's inspection history, violation details, and current grade status online. For the most current information about Reserve Cut or any other NYC restaurant, visit the DOHMH restaurant grades website or the NYCRestaurantInspections.com database.
More About This Restaurant
View the full inspection history for Reserve Cut including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.