Manhattan, NY — The Capital Grille, the upscale American steakhouse located at 120 West 51st Street in Midtown Manhattan, received a score of 31 during a New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) inspection conducted on March 24, 2026. A score of 28 or higher results in a Grade C under the city's restaurant grading system. Inspection data was released by DOHMH on March 30, 2026.
The restaurant was not ordered closed as a result of this inspection. Zero critical violations were recorded. One non-critical violation was cited.
What Inspectors Found
Inspectors documented one violation during the March 2026 visit, classified as non-critical under the city's scoring framework.
The cited violation, Code 08B, pertains to waste management practices. Inspectors noted that garbage receptacles on the premises were not pest-resistant or water-resistant, did not have tight-fitting lids, or were not covered when not in active use. The violation also noted that receptacles were not properly cleaned after emptying and prior to reuse, and that garbage, refuse, and other solid and liquid waste were not being collected, stored, removed, and disposed of in a manner that prevents a nuisance.
While non-critical in classification, improper waste storage and handling can attract pests and contribute to contamination risks if not corrected. DOHMH requires all food service establishments to maintain sanitary waste practices as a baseline condition of operation.
Food Safety Context
New York City's restaurant inspection program is governed by NYC Health Code Article 81, which establishes sanitation requirements for all food service establishments operating in the five boroughs. Inspections are unannounced and cover food handling, temperature control, facility maintenance, pest prevention, and waste management, among other areas.
The FDA Food Code, which informs many of the city's standards, specifies that solid waste receptacles must be durable, cleanable, insect- and rodent-resistant, and kept covered when not in use. These requirements exist to prevent the conditions that allow pests to establish themselves in or near food preparation areas.
A Grade C designation does not automatically trigger closure. Restaurants receiving a Grade C are permitted to post their numeric score in lieu of a letter grade and may request re-inspection. If a re-inspection results in a score of 13 or below, the establishment may qualify for a Grade A posting.
Inspection History
The March 2026 result represents a departure from The Capital Grille's more recent performance record. Prior inspection data from DOHMH shows the following:
- November 12, 2024: Score 13, Grade A
- May 29, 2024: Score 27
- December 7, 2022: Score 12, Grade A
- May 24, 2022: Score 30
The restaurant earned Grade A ratings in both its November 2024 and December 2022 inspections. The May 2022 inspection also produced a score of 30, placing it in Grade C territory at that time. The May 2024 inspection resulted in a score of 27, just below the Grade C threshold.
The March 2026 result is the second time in the available inspection record that the restaurant has scored in the Grade C range.
Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades
DOHMH assigns letter grades to restaurants based on the total points accumulated during an inspection. Each violation carries a set point value depending on its risk classification. The grading scale is as follows:
- Grade A: Score of 0 to 13 points
- Grade B: Score of 14 to 27 points
- Grade C: Score of 28 points or higher
Restaurants that receive a B or C grade during an initial inspection may undergo a re-inspection within approximately a month. The grade posted in the window reflects the result of the most recent completed inspection cycle.
Consumers can look up inspection records for any permitted food service establishment in New York City through the DOHMH restaurant inspection results database, available at the NYC Open Data portal. Records include inspection dates, violation codes, scores, and current grade status.
More About This Restaurant
View the full inspection history for The Capital Grille including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.