Queens, NY — Vert Frais, a Japanese restaurant located at 43-10 Crescent Street in Long Island City, received a score of 30 following a New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene inspection conducted on April 1, 2026. A score of 28 or higher results in a Grade C, the lowest passing grade issued under the city's restaurant grading system. Inspection data was released publicly by DOHMH on April 3, 2026.

Inspectors documented two critical violations during the visit and no non-critical violations.

What Inspectors Found

Both violations cited at Vert Frais were classified as critical, meaning they represent conditions with a direct potential to contribute to foodborne illness.

The first violation, Code 02B, was recorded for hot temperature-controlled for safety (TCS) food items not being held at or above 140°F. Under food safety standards, cooked and hot-held foods must remain at 140°F or higher to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria. When food drops below that threshold, it enters what regulators refer to as the temperature danger zone — between 41°F and 140°F — where pathogens can multiply rapidly.

The second violation, Code 06E, was cited for sanitized equipment or utensils, including in-use food dispensing utensils, being improperly used or stored. Once equipment is sanitized, improper handling or storage can reintroduce contamination, undermining the sanitation process and creating potential cross-contamination risks.

Food Safety Context

New York City's restaurant inspection program operates under NYC Health Code Article 81, which governs food handling, storage, preparation, and facility sanitation. The city's standards align closely with the FDA Food Code, a federal reference document that establishes science-based guidelines for reducing foodborne illness risk in retail food establishments.

Temperature control for safety foods — including cooked proteins, rice, and other items common in Japanese cuisine — are subject to strict holding requirements because they support bacterial growth when mishandled. Similarly, sanitation protocols for food-contact surfaces and utensils are designed to prevent cross-contamination between cleaning cycles and service.

Critical violations are weighted more heavily in the city's scoring system. Each critical violation carries a higher point value than non-critical violations, which is reflected in the 30-point score recorded at this inspection.

Inspection History

Vert Frais has a limited inspection record on file with DOHMH. Prior to the April 2026 inspection, the restaurant had one documented visit:

  • September 13, 2023: Score 2 (Grade A)

The 2023 inspection resulted in one of the lowest possible scores, indicating the restaurant was operating with minimal documented violations at that time. The April 2026 inspection represents a significant change from that prior record.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City assigns letter grades to restaurants following each inspection cycle based on the total points accumulated. The grading scale is as follows:

  • A: 0 to 13 points — meets or exceeds food safety standards with minimal violations
  • B: 14 to 27 points — some violations documented; corrective action expected
  • C: 28 or more points — multiple or more serious violations identified

Restaurants that receive a B or C on their initial inspection are offered a re-inspection within a set window. The grade posted publicly reflects the most recent completed inspection cycle. Restaurants are required to post their current grade card in a window visible to the public.

The DOHMH inspection report for Vert Frais is part of the public record and can be accessed through the city's restaurant inspection lookup tool at the NYC Open Data portal. Consumers can use that resource to review the full violation details, inspection dates, and grade history for any city restaurant.

More About This Restaurant

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