Manhattan, NY — Want Italy Pasta & Go, a restaurant located at 185 Greenwich Street in Lower Manhattan, was closed by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) following a health inspection conducted on February 19, 2026. The establishment received a score of 38 points, placing it well above the 28-point threshold for a Grade C — the lowest letter grade in New York City's restaurant grading system.
Want Italy Pasta & Go restaurant inspection" width="400" height="225" loading="eager" decoding="async" class="article-featured-image">The closure was ordered after inspectors identified a critical food safety violation related to improper cold food storage temperatures. The inspection data was released publicly by DOHMH on February 23, 2026.
What Inspectors Found
During the February 19 inspection, DOHMH inspectors documented one critical violation at the Greenwich Street location:
Inspectors found that cold time/temperature control for safety (TCS) food items were being held above 41°F. Under New York City health regulations, cold TCS foods must be maintained at 41°F or below to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria. This category also encompasses smoked or processed fish, which must be held at or below 38°F, intact raw eggs that must remain at or below 45°F, and reduced oxygen packaged (ROP) TCS foods, which must be held at their specific required temperatures.
TCS foods include items such as meat, poultry, dairy products, cooked vegetables, cut fruits, and other perishable items that require strict temperature control to remain safe for consumption. When these foods are held above their required temperatures — outside of active, necessary preparation — bacteria such as Salmonella, Listeria, and E. coli can multiply rapidly, reaching levels that may cause foodborne illness.
The violation was classified as critical, meaning it represents a condition that could directly contribute to foodborne illness or injury if not corrected. Inspectors noted that the violations requiring immediate action were addressed at the time of inspection. The establishment was closed pending further compliance.
No non-critical violations were documented during this inspection cycle.
Food Safety Context
The temperature requirements cited in this inspection are rooted in both local and federal food safety regulations. NYC Health Code Article 81 establishes the rules governing food service establishments in New York City, including requirements for proper food storage, handling, and temperature maintenance.
These local standards align with the FDA Food Code, which serves as a model for food safety regulations nationwide. The FDA Food Code specifies that cold TCS foods must be held at 41°F (5°C) or below to limit the growth of pathogenic microorganisms. The temperature range between 41°F and 135°F is commonly referred to as the "danger zone," where bacteria can double in number in as little as 20 minutes under certain conditions.
When DOHMH orders an establishment closed, the restaurant must correct all cited violations and pass a re-inspection before it is permitted to reopen to the public. Closure actions are reserved for situations where inspectors determine that conditions pose an immediate risk to public health.
Inspection History
Want Italy Pasta & Go does not have prior inspection history available in the DOHMH public database. This may indicate that the establishment is relatively new, recently changed ownership, or that earlier inspection records are not reflected in the current dataset.
The February 19, 2026 inspection represents the first publicly available inspection record for this location:
- Feb 19, 2026: Score 38 (Grade C range), Closed by DOHMH — 1 critical violation cited for improper cold food holding temperatures
Restaurants that are closed by DOHMH typically undergo a re-inspection within a short timeframe once the operator notifies the department that violations have been corrected.
Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades
New York City's restaurant grading system, administered by DOHMH, assigns letter grades based on the total violation points accumulated during an inspection. Lower scores indicate fewer or less severe violations:
- A: 0–13 points — Represents the highest level of compliance with health regulations
- B: 14–27 points — Indicates moderate violations were found during inspection
- C: 28 or more points — Indicates significant violations requiring attention
With a score of 38 points, Want Italy Pasta & Go fell into the Grade C range. However, because the establishment was closed by DOHMH, the grading process is paused until the restaurant passes a subsequent re-inspection.
Restaurant inspection results are public record and can be viewed on the DOHMH website or through the NYC Open Data portal. Consumers can also check a restaurant's current letter grade, which is required to be posted at the entrance of every food service establishment in New York City.
Inspection data sourced from NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene public records. Inspection conducted February 19, 2026; data released February 23, 2026.
More About This Restaurant
View the full inspection history for Want Italy Pasta & Go including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.