Manhattan, NY — Tropical Sensation, a Latin American restaurant at 953 Amsterdam Avenue on the Upper West Side, received a Grade B score of 26 following a health inspection conducted on March 11, 2026. The score places the restaurant just one point below the 28-point threshold that would trigger a Grade C designation.

The inspection data was released by the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) on March 13, 2026.

What Inspectors Found

Inspectors documented one critical violation during the inspection:

Cold time-and-temperature-controlled-for-safety (TCS) food items were found held above 41°F. This violation (Code 02G) also covers smoked or processed fish held above 38°F, intact raw eggs held above 45°F, and reduced oxygen packaged TCS foods held above their required temperatures outside of active preparation.

No non-critical violations were cited during this inspection. The single critical violation alone accounted for the restaurant's 26-point score, indicating that inspectors assigned the maximum penalty points available for this particular violation category.

Food Safety Context

Proper cold holding temperatures are a foundational requirement of food safety regulation. Under NYC Health Code Article 81 and the FDA Food Code, TCS foods must be maintained at 41°F or below to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria such as Salmonella, Listeria, and E. coli. When cold foods are held above this threshold, the risk of bacterial multiplication increases significantly, particularly in the temperature range between 41°F and 135°F, commonly referred to as the "danger zone."

The FDA Food Code identifies improper holding temperatures as one of the leading contributing factors in foodborne illness outbreaks. For restaurants handling Latin American cuisine, which often includes items such as prepared meats, dairy-based sauces, and fresh ingredients, consistent cold storage monitoring is particularly important.

Inspection History

The Grade B score represents a notable departure from Tropical Sensation's prior inspection record:

  • 2024-10-22: Score 13 (Grade A)
  • 2023-05-25: Score 10 (Grade A)
  • 2022-06-15: Score 0

The restaurant had maintained Grade A scores across its three previous inspections, including a perfect score of zero violations in June 2022. The jump from a 13 in October 2024 to a 26 in March 2026 represents a doubling of the restaurant's violation points.

Under DOHMH procedures, Tropical Sensation will have the opportunity to request a re-inspection to improve its score before the Grade B letter must be posted. If the restaurant scores a Grade A on re-inspection, the higher grade will replace the current result.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City assigns letter grades based on total violation points accumulated during an inspection:

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

A score of 26 places Tropical Sensation at the upper boundary of the Grade B range, one point away from a Grade C designation.

Consumers can look up any restaurant's inspection history through the DOHMH restaurant inspection database, available online at the NYC Open Data portal. Inspection scores, violation details, and grade histories are public record and updated regularly as new inspections are completed.

More About This Restaurant

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