Manhattan, NY — The Ribbon, an American restaurant located at 20 West 72nd Street on the Upper West Side, received a score of 33 during a New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) inspection conducted on February 18, 2026. The score places the restaurant in Grade C territory, the lowest letter grade assigned under the city's restaurant grading system.
The inspection data was released by DOHMH on February 20, 2026.
What Inspectors Found
During the February 18 inspection, DOHMH inspectors documented one non-critical violation at the establishment.
The violation, coded as 10B, cited the restaurant for issues related to anti-siphonage or back-flow prevention devices not being provided where required. Inspectors also noted that equipment or floors were not properly drained, the sewage disposal system was in disrepair or not functioning properly, and that condensation or liquid waste was being improperly disposed of.
While the violation is classified as non-critical — meaning it does not represent an immediate health hazard to consumers — the drainage and sewage disposal issues contributed to an overall score of 33, which exceeds the 28-point threshold for a Grade C designation.
It is worth noting that the inspection recorded zero critical violations. Under the NYC inspection scoring system, points are assigned based on the nature, extent, and severity of each violation observed. A single non-critical violation category can carry a significant point value depending on the conditions documented at the time of inspection.
Food Safety Context
New York City's restaurant inspection program operates under NYC Health Code Article 81, which establishes sanitary standards for all food service establishments in the five boroughs. The inspection scoring system is also informed by the FDA Food Code, which provides federal guidelines on food safety practices.
Proper drainage and back-flow prevention are fundamental components of a sanitary food service environment. Anti-siphonage devices prevent contaminated water from flowing backward into clean water supplies, while functional drainage systems ensure that wastewater, condensation, and other liquid waste are disposed of in a manner that does not create unsanitary conditions in food preparation or storage areas.
When these systems are in disrepair or absent, the risk of cross-contamination between wastewater and potable water systems increases. The FDA Food Code specifically addresses plumbing requirements in sections related to water supply protection and wastewater disposal to prevent such conditions in food establishments.
Inspection History
The Ribbon's inspection record over the past several years shows a pattern of fluctuating scores:
- February 18, 2026: Score 33 (Grade C)
- October 9, 2025: Score 44 (Grade Z — grade pending adjudication)
- March 20, 2025: Score 23
- June 22, 2023: Score 6 (Grade A)
The restaurant earned a Grade A with a score of 6 in June 2023, indicating strong compliance at that time. However, subsequent inspections in 2025 recorded scores of 23 and 44, reflecting a decline in inspection performance. The October 2025 score of 44 resulted in a Grade Z designation, which indicates the restaurant's grade was pending an adjudication hearing at the NYC Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings (OATH).
The current score of 33 continues the trend of elevated scores compared to the restaurant's 2023 performance.
Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades
New York City assigns letter grades to restaurants based on inspection scores. The grading thresholds are as follows:
- Grade A: 0–13 points (lowest risk of public health violations)
- Grade B: 14–27 points (moderate violations identified)
- Grade C: 28 or more points (significant violations documented)
Restaurants that receive a Grade B or C on an initial inspection may request a re-inspection or an adjudication hearing. During the adjudication process, restaurants may display a "Grade Pending" card rather than the letter grade.
All New York City restaurant inspection results, including scores, violation details, and grade histories, are public record and available through the DOHMH restaurant inspection database. Consumers can search any restaurant's inspection history on the city's open data portal or through the NYC Health Department website.
The Ribbon's current inspection results and complete history can be reviewed on NYCRestaurantInspections.com for additional detail.
More About This Restaurant
View the full inspection history for The Ribbon including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.