Brooklyn, NY — Sips & Salt, a Jewish/Kosher restaurant at 419 Bedford Avenue in Williamsburg, received a score of 28 during a New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) inspection conducted on February 13, 2026. The score places the establishment in Grade C territory, the lowest passing grade in the city's restaurant grading system.
Sips & Salt restaurant inspection" width="400" height="225" loading="eager" decoding="async" class="article-featured-image">The inspection identified one critical violation and one non-critical violation. Inspection data was released by DOHMH on February 16, 2026.
What Inspectors Found
The most significant finding was a critical violation: no manager or supervisor of food operations held a valid Food Protection Certificate (FPC). Under NYC regulations, at least one supervisory staff member must hold this certificate at all times during food service operations. The FPC requirement ensures that someone on-site has demonstrated knowledge of safe food handling practices, temperature control, cross-contamination prevention, and allergen awareness.
Inspectors also documented a non-critical violation, noting that the establishment was not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects, or other pests. This type of citation can refer to structural gaps, unsealed entry points, improper waste storage, or other environmental conditions that may attract or shelter pests, even if no active pest activity was observed at the time of inspection.
Food Safety Context
The Food Protection Certificate requirement is established under NYC Health Code Article 81 and reflects broader food safety principles outlined in the FDA Food Code. Article 81 mandates that food service establishments maintain certain operational standards, including the presence of a certified food protection manager during all hours of operation.
The FPC is obtained by passing an accredited examination that covers foodborne illness prevention, proper cooking and holding temperatures, personal hygiene for food handlers, and sanitation procedures. When no certified manager is present, there is reduced assurance that staff are following established food safety protocols, which can increase the risk of foodborne illness.
Pest harborage conditions, while cited as a non-critical violation, are also addressed under Article 81's sanitation requirements. The NYC Health Code requires that food establishments maintain their premises in a condition that does not attract or harbor vermin. Addressing structural vulnerabilities and maintaining proper sanitation practices are key components of integrated pest management in food service settings.
Inspection History
The February 2026 inspection marks a departure from Sips & Salt's previously consistent record. Prior inspections show the restaurant had maintained Grade A scores for several years:
- Feb 13, 2026: Score 28 (Grade C)
- Feb 10, 2026: Score 28
- Nov 7, 2024: Score 13 (Grade A)
- May 31, 2023: Score 13 (Grade A)
- Jun 3, 2022: Score 10 (Grade A)
- Apr 28, 2022: Score 0
The restaurant's history shows scores of 0, 10, 13, and 13 on its four inspections between 2022 and 2024 — all within Grade A range. The score of 28 recorded in February 2026 represents the establishment's first result outside Grade A since its inspection record began.
Notably, the inspection history shows two entries in February 2026, both resulting in scores of 28, which may indicate an initial inspection followed by a re-inspection within the same cycle.
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 found during an inspection:
- Grade A: 0 to 13 points
- Grade B: 14 to 27 points
- Grade C: 28 or more points
Each violation carries a predetermined point value based on its severity and the specific condition observed. Critical violations, which pose a greater risk to public health, generally carry higher point values than non-critical violations.
Restaurants that receive a Grade B or C on an initial inspection may request an adjudicatory hearing or a re-inspection. During this process, the restaurant may post a "Grade Pending" card rather than the letter grade.
The full inspection results for Sips & Salt and all New York City restaurants are available through the DOHMH restaurant inspection portal, a public database that allows consumers to review inspection histories, violation details, and current grades for any permitted food establishment in the city.
More About This Restaurant
View the full inspection history for Sips & Salt including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.