Bronx, NY — Solimar Grill, a Spanish restaurant located at 1478 Beach Avenue in the Bronx, was closed by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) following an inspection conducted on June 29, 2026. The inspection resulted in a score of 50 points, placing the establishment in the C grade range and triggering a closure order. Inspection data was released by the DOHMH on July 1, 2026.

What Inspectors Found

During the June 29 inspection, DOHMH inspectors documented one critical violation and one non-critical violation at Solimar Grill.

The critical violation — recorded under code 04A — cited the absence of a valid Food Protection Certificate held by a manager or supervisor of food operations. Under NYC Health Code Article 81 and DOHMH regulations, at least one manager or supervisor at a licensed food service establishment is required to hold a Food Protection Certificate at all times during operation. The certificate is issued by the DOHMH following completion of an approved food safety course and passage of a written examination. Its purpose is to ensure that a knowledgeable individual is present and accountable for food safety practices during service.

Inspectors also recorded a non-critical violation under code 15-21, documenting that flavored tobacco products were sold or offered for sale at the establishment. New York City law restricts the sale of flavored tobacco products, including flavored e-cigarettes and certain menthol products, as part of the city's ongoing public health initiatives. While classified as non-critical in the context of food service inspections, the violation contributes to the overall score.

The combined score of 50 points falls well above the threshold for a C grade and was sufficient to result in a closure order from the DOHMH.

Food Safety Context

The Food Protection Certificate requirement is a foundational component of New York City's food service regulatory framework. NYC Health Code Article 81 mandates that food operations be supervised by personnel trained in food safety principles, and the Food Protection Certificate is the primary mechanism by which the city verifies that training. The requirement reflects a broader public health approach: a trained supervisor is better positioned to identify risks related to temperature control, cross-contamination, and sanitation before those risks lead to illness.

The FDA Food Code, which serves as the basis for many local and state food safety regulations including those in New York City, similarly emphasizes the role of a certified food protection manager as a core element of a safe food service operation.

A score of 50 points represents a substantial accumulation of violations within a single inspection cycle. The DOHMH assigns point values to individual violations based on severity, with critical violations carrying higher values due to their direct association with foodborne illness risk. Following a closure, the establishment must address all cited violations and pass a reinspection before resuming operations.

Inspection History

Solimar Grill's inspection record over recent years shows a pattern of strong compliance interrupted by significant lapses. The following reflects the restaurant's documented history through the most recent data release:

  • June 29, 2026: Score 50 (Grade C), closed by DOHMH
  • January 17, 2025: Score 5 (Grade A)
  • May 29, 2024: Score 2 (Grade P)
  • March 3, 2022: Score 59, closed by DOHMH

The restaurant earned high marks during its two most recent prior inspections, including a score of 5 in January 2025 and a score of 2 in May 2024. Both results placed the establishment well within A grade territory and reflected strong compliance at the time. The current inspection marks a sharp departure from that recent record and represents the second closure in the restaurant's documented inspection history, following a prior closure in March 2022 when the establishment scored 59 points.

The inspection record does not provide detail on what changed between the January 2025 inspection and the June 2026 closure, but the contrast between recent performance and the current outcome is notable.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

The DOHMH uses a letter grading system to summarize inspection results for public reference. Grade cards are posted in restaurant windows and reflect scores from the most recent completed inspection cycle:

  • A: Score of 0 to 13 points
  • B: Score of 14 to 27 points
  • C: Score of 28 points or higher

When the DOHMH closes a restaurant following an inspection, the establishment is required to correct all cited violations before a reinspection can be scheduled. A new score and grade are issued following that reinspection.

Consumers can review the complete inspection history for any licensed food service establishment in New York City through the DOHMH's online restaurant inspection results database, available via the NYC Open Data portal. The records are updated regularly as new inspection data is processed and released.

More About This Restaurant

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