Manhattan, NY — Village Creperie, a coffee and tea establishment at 933 Amsterdam Avenue on the Upper West Side, received a Grade C score of 28 points during a New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene inspection conducted on March 11, 2026. The inspection resulted in one critical violation related to cold food storage temperatures.

What Inspectors Found

Health inspectors documented that cold temperature control for safety (TCS) food items were held above the required 41°F threshold. According to NYC Health Code Article 81, TCS foods include items that require time and temperature control to prevent bacterial growth, such as dairy products, eggs, meat, and certain prepared foods commonly found in coffee shops and cafeterias.

The violation cited under code 02G indicates that perishable food items were stored at temperatures that exceed food safety standards. The FDA Food Code requires cold TCS foods to be maintained at 41°F or below to inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria such as Salmonella, Listeria, and E. coli. When these foods are held at improper temperatures, bacterial populations can double every 20 minutes in the temperature danger zone of 41°F to 135°F.

The inspection data, released by DOHMH on March 13, 2026, shows that violations were cited but the establishment was not ordered to close. The restaurant remains open for business while addressing the documented violations.

Food Safety Context

Temperature control represents one of the most fundamental aspects of food safety in commercial food service. NYC Health Code Article 81.09 establishes specific requirements for refrigeration equipment and food storage practices. The regulation requires food service establishments to maintain cold holding equipment at temperatures sufficient to keep TCS foods at 41°F or below.

The critical nature of this violation reflects the potential health risk associated with temperature abuse of perishable foods. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, improper holding temperatures contribute to approximately 30% of foodborne illness outbreaks in retail food establishments.

For a coffee and tea establishment like Village Creperie, TCS foods typically include milk and cream for beverages, pastries with cream fillings, yogurt, butter, and any prepared food items containing eggs or dairy. All of these items require consistent refrigeration to remain safe for consumption.

Inspection History

Village Creperie's inspection record shows a notable shift from its previous performance:

  • October 22, 2024: Score 12 (Grade A)
  • May 11, 2023: Score 12 (Grade A)
  • April 26, 2022: Score 10 (Grade A)

The establishment maintained Grade A ratings for three consecutive inspection cycles before the current Grade C result. This marks the first time in the available inspection history that Village Creperie has scored above the Grade A threshold. The 28-point score represents more than double the points recorded in any previous inspection.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City requires restaurants to post letter grades based on inspection scores:

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

Points are assigned based on the number and severity of violations found during unannounced inspections. Critical violations, which directly relate to foodborne illness risk factors, carry more points than general violations related to facility maintenance or documentation.

Establishments that receive Grade B or C scores have the option to request a re-inspection. If conditions improve and violations are corrected, a new grade can be issued based on the re-inspection results.

Public Health Resources

New York City residents can access complete restaurant inspection records through the NYC Health Department's restaurant inspection database at nyc.gov/health. The database provides details on all inspections, violations, and grades for every food service establishment in the five boroughs.

Consumers with food safety concerns about any restaurant can file complaints with the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene through the 311 system. All complaints are investigated, and may result in unscheduled inspections.

The establishment's next regular inspection cycle will determine whether the temperature control issues have been resolved and if the restaurant can return to its previous Grade A status.

More About This Restaurant

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