Restaurant Report Card: March 2012

Each month, we post a report of restaurants in the 10002 ZIP code that scored 28 points or more on their health department inspections, the equivalent of “C” grades under the city’s rating system. We also call out establishments that excelled, by earning 3 points or fewer.

For more details on how the city grades food establishments, see the guide (PDF). Because of the way the online search function operates, we cannot link directly to individual restaurant reports here, but you can visit the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene’s website, type in the name of any restaurant and view the details of inspectors’ findings for all recent visits. You can also read our Restaurant Report Card archives here.

Please note that restaurateurs are permitted to post a “grade pending” certificate while they appeal an unsatisfactory score, so those listed here may not currently display a “C” grade in their storefronts.

Here’s the report for March.

First, the good news:  New establishments Ghost (132A Eldridge St.), Via Tribunali (122 Ludlow St.) and Caffe Vita (124 Ludlow St.) all earned 2 points or less on their initial inspections this month. Also, Orchard Street nightlife venue Tammany Hall scored 2 points during a March 13 visit by inspectors.

On a related note, Latin café La Isla at 212 Delancey St. earned only 4 points during a reinspection and was allowed to reopen March 20. Inspectors had shut it down on March 12 following an inspection that garnered a whopping 80 points.

Here’s the list of 28 points and over, from most points to least: