Brooklyn, NY — Sips & Salt, a Jewish/Kosher restaurant at 419 Bedford Avenue in Williamsburg, received a Grade B following a health inspection conducted March 30, 2026. The restaurant scored 26 points — placing it at the upper edge of the B range and just two points below the threshold for a Grade C. Inspection data was released by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) on April 2, 2026.

What Inspectors Found

Inspectors documented two violations during the March inspection: one critical and one non-critical.

The critical violation, cited under Code 06C, noted that food, supplies, or equipment were not protected from potential sources of contamination during storage, preparation, transportation, display, or service. Specifically, condiments were found not stored in single-service containers or dispensed directly by the vendor. Under NYC Health Code Article 81 and the FDA Food Code, proper handling and containment of condiments is required to prevent cross-contamination and ensure food safety from the point of storage through the point of service.

The non-critical violation, cited under Code 10F, identified non-food contact surfaces or equipment made of unacceptable material, or not kept sufficiently clean, sealed, raised, or positioned to allow cleaning on all sides, above, and underneath. While classified as non-critical, this type of finding can contribute to pest harborage and sanitation concerns if left unaddressed.

Food Safety Context

NYC Health Code Article 81 governs food safety standards for all city restaurants, covering everything from food storage and temperature control to equipment maintenance and sanitation practices. The FDA Food Code, which the city's standards align with, requires that food and food-contact equipment be protected from contamination at every stage of handling.

A score of 26 is technically within the Grade B range, but it reflects a meaningful accumulation of violations. Inspectors assign points based on the severity and nature of each finding, with critical violations — those more directly linked to foodborne illness risk — carrying higher point values.

Inspection History

Sips & Salt's inspection record shows a recent shift from prior strong performance:

  • 2026-02-13: Score 28
  • 2026-02-10: Score 28
  • 2024-11-07: Score 13 (Grade A)
  • 2023-05-31: Score 13 (Grade A)
  • 2022-06-03: Score 10 (Grade A)
  • 2022-04-28: Score 0

The restaurant received Grade A scores across three consecutive inspections from 2022 through 2024. The two February 2026 inspections, both scoring 28, represent a notable change. The March 30 inspection score of 26 reflects a slight improvement but remains well above the establishment's recent baseline.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City's restaurant grading system translates inspection scores into letter grades posted publicly at the establishment:

  • Grade A: 0–13 points (lowest violation burden)
  • Grade B: 14–27 points
  • Grade C: 28 or more points

Lower scores indicate fewer or less severe violations. Restaurants scoring in the B or C range are typically subject to follow-up inspections.

Diners can look up current inspection records and grades for any NYC restaurant through the DOHMH's online restaurant inspection database at the NYC Open Data portal.

More About This Restaurant

View the full inspection history for Sips & Salt including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.