Brooklyn, NY — Sea Wolf, an American restaurant located at 19 Wyckoff Avenue in Brooklyn, received a score of 34 — a Grade C — following a health inspection conducted on March 18, 2026. Inspection data was released by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) on March 25, 2026. Inspectors documented three critical violations and no non-critical violations during the visit.

What Inspectors Found

The most serious violation recorded during the inspection involved contamination of food preparation and storage areas by sewage or liquid waste (Code 04F). This type of violation raises direct concerns about the sanitary condition of areas where food is handled, as liquid waste contact can introduce pathogens to surfaces, equipment, and food itself.

Inspectors also cited a temperature control violation (Code 02B), documenting that hot temperature-controlled for safety (TCS) food items were not being held at or above the required 140°F. Proper hot-holding temperatures are essential to preventing the growth of harmful bacteria in cooked or prepared foods that are kept warm for service.

The third critical violation (Code 04A) noted that no Food Protection Certificate was held by a manager or supervisor of food operations on-site. New York City requires that at least one certified food protection manager be present during all hours of operation to oversee safe food handling practices.

Food Safety Context

Under NYC Health Code Article 81 and the FDA Food Code, food service establishments are required to maintain rigorous controls over food temperatures, facility sanitation, and staff certifications. The 140°F minimum hot-holding temperature is a foundational requirement designed to keep cooked foods out of the "danger zone" — the range between 41°F and 140°F in which bacterial growth can accelerate rapidly.

Sewage and liquid waste contamination of food preparation areas represents a significant sanitary concern under these same standards. Such conditions can compromise surfaces, utensils, and food contact areas in ways that increase the risk of foodborne illness if not promptly addressed.

The absence of a Food Protection Certificate holder, while administrative in nature, is also classified as a critical violation because certified managers are responsible for ensuring that food safety procedures are followed throughout the establishment's operations.

Inspection History

Sea Wolf's inspection record over recent years reflects a pattern of elevated scores:

  • October 10, 2024: Score 37
  • April 19, 2023: Score 30 (Grade C)
  • July 13, 2022: Score 24

The restaurant received a Grade C on its April 2023 inspection as well, and has scored above 28 in two of its last three recorded inspections. The July 2022 visit resulted in a score below the Grade C threshold, suggesting variability in compliance over time.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City's letter grading system for restaurants is based on the number of points assessed during an inspection, with lower scores indicating better compliance:

  • Grade A: 0–13 points (posted immediately)
  • Grade B: 14–27 points (establishment may request re-inspection)
  • Grade C: 28 or more points (lowest posted grade)

When a restaurant receives a score in the B or C range, it has the option to request a re-inspection before a grade is officially posted. The grade reflects conditions observed on the day of inspection and does not necessarily represent the restaurant's ongoing compliance status.

Consumers can look up the full inspection history for any New York City restaurant through the DOHMH's public restaurant inspection database at NYC OpenData or the city's official restaurant grading site.

More About This Restaurant

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