Manhattan, NY — The Golden Swan, a New French restaurant at 314 West 11th Street in Greenwich Village, received a score of 29 during a health inspection conducted on February 17, 2026, placing it in Grade C territory. Inspectors documented two critical violations, including evidence of rats in the establishment.
The inspection data was released by the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) on February 19, 2026.
What Inspectors Found
During the February 17 inspection, DOHMH inspectors identified two critical violations at The Golden Swan:
Evidence of rats or live rats was documented in the establishment's food or non-food areas (violation code 04K). The presence of rodent activity in a food service establishment represents one of the most serious findings under the city's inspection framework, as rodents can contaminate food, food preparation surfaces, and storage areas.
Inspectors also cited the restaurant for food workers not using utensils or other barriers to eliminate bare hand contact with food that will not receive adequate additional heat treatment (violation code 04C). This violation means that staff were observed handling ready-to-eat foods — items served directly to customers without further cooking — without gloves, tongs, or other protective measures.
No non-critical violations were recorded during this inspection.
Food Safety Context
Both violations identified at The Golden Swan are classified as critical under NYC Health Code Article 81, which governs food service establishments in New York City. Critical violations are those that directly contribute to foodborne illness risk.
The bare hand contact violation relates to requirements outlined in both NYC Health Code Article 81 and the FDA Food Code, which mandate that food workers use appropriate barriers when handling ready-to-eat foods. These regulations exist because human hands can transfer pathogens such as norovirus, hepatitis A, Staphylococcus aureus, and E. coli to food items.
Rodent activity violations carry particular weight in the NYC inspection scoring system. Evidence of rats — which can include droppings, gnaw marks, grease marks, or live sightings — indicates conditions that may compromise food safety throughout the establishment. The FDA Food Code requires that food establishments be maintained free of pests that may contaminate food or food-contact surfaces.
The combined score of 29 points from these two critical violations placed The Golden Swan above the 28-point threshold for a Grade C designation. According to the inspection record, violations were cited and the restaurant was permitted to continue operating.
Inspection History
The February 2026 inspection marks a notable change from The Golden Swan's prior record. The restaurant's recent inspection history shows:
- 2023-10-10: Score 12 (Grade A)
- 2023-07-26: Score 17
The restaurant had previously earned a Grade A with a score of 12 during its October 2023 inspection, indicating strong compliance at that time. The July 2023 inspection resulted in a score of 17, which falls within Grade B range. The jump from a score of 12 to 29 represents a significant increase in documented violations.
Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades
New York City's restaurant grading system, administered by DOHMH, assigns letter grades based on the total violation points recorded during an inspection. Each violation carries a predetermined point value, with critical violations generally carrying higher scores:
- Grade A: 0-13 points
- Grade B: 14-27 points
- Grade C: 28 or more points
Restaurants receiving a Grade B or C may request a re-inspection. Grade cards must be posted in a conspicuous location visible to the public, as required by NYC Health Code Article 81.
The Golden Swan's score of 29 places it just above the Grade C threshold. Restaurants have the opportunity to address cited violations and improve their scores during subsequent inspections.
Consumers can look up current inspection results for any New York City restaurant through the DOHMH restaurant inspection database, available online. Inspection records, including violation details and scores, are public information updated regularly as new inspections are completed.
More About This Restaurant
View the full inspection history for The Golden Swan including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.