Manhattan, NY — Spice Symphony, an Indian restaurant at 150 East 50th Street in Midtown Manhattan, received a score of 31 during a New York City health inspection conducted on February 25, 2026, placing it in Grade C territory. The result marks a significant departure from the restaurant's previously consistent Grade A record.

The inspection data was released by the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) on March 5, 2026.

What Inspectors Found

During the February 25 inspection, DOHMH inspectors cited Spice Symphony for conditions related to pest activity. Specifically, the establishment was found not to be free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects, or other pests, a violation classified under code 08A.

While this violation is categorized as non-critical under the city's inspection framework, the overall score of 31 points placed the restaurant well above the 28-point threshold for a Grade C designation. The score reflects the cumulative assessment of conditions observed during the inspection, with points assigned based on the nature and severity of each finding.

No critical violations — those involving food temperature control, cross-contamination risks, or direct threats to consumer health — were documented during this inspection cycle.

Food Safety Context

Pest-related conditions in food service establishments are addressed under NYC Health Code Article 81, which requires restaurants to maintain premises free from vermin and conditions that could attract or harbor pests. The FDA Food Code similarly emphasizes that food establishments must implement integrated pest management practices and maintain physical facilities to prevent pest entry and harborage.

Conditions conducive to pests can include structural gaps, improper waste storage, standing water, or cluttered storage areas that provide shelter for rodents or insects. While the presence of such conditions does not necessarily indicate an active infestation, it signals that the physical environment may not meet the standards required to prevent pest activity.

Restaurants receiving a Grade C are required to undergo a re-inspection, during which the establishment has the opportunity to demonstrate that cited conditions have been corrected.

Inspection History

Spice Symphony's February 2026 result represents a notable shift from the restaurant's prior inspection record, which had been consistently favorable:

  • October 8, 2024: Score 13 (Grade A)
  • September 9, 2024: Score 0
  • April 5, 2023: Score 9 (Grade A)
  • July 6, 2022: Score 0

The restaurant had maintained Grade A scores across multiple inspection cycles, with two inspections resulting in a perfect score of zero points. The jump to a score of 31 in February 2026 represents the first time the establishment has scored outside Grade A range in its available inspection history.

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 recorded during an inspection:

  • Grade A: 0-13 points
  • Grade B: 14-27 points
  • Grade C: 28 or more points

Lower scores indicate fewer or less severe violations. Restaurants that receive a Grade B or C may request an adjudicatory hearing and will be scheduled for a re-inspection. The grade posted at the establishment reflects the most recent grading outcome.

Inspection scores represent a snapshot of conditions observed on the date of the inspection and may not reflect the restaurant's current state. Establishments frequently address cited violations between inspection visits.

Public Resources

Consumers can look up the full inspection history of any New York City restaurant through the DOHMH restaurant inspection database, available online at the NYC Open Data portal. The database provides detailed information about each inspection, including specific violations cited, scores assigned, and any enforcement actions taken.

Spice Symphony's complete inspection record is part of the public data maintained by DOHMH and is available for review by consumers seeking to make informed dining decisions.

More About This Restaurant

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