Surprisingly, a popular West Village restaurant, Carbon, has an unnoticed “B” rating from city health officials.
The restaurant, known for attracting A-list patrons since its opening in 2012, has been cited for hygiene issues that led to this rating. The findings, which emerged in a recent inspection, revealed that Carbon hasn’t been showcasing its health grade, as required by the city’s regulations.
During a July inspection, officials found five health violations, including food being stored at unsafe temperatures, which raises concerns about the potential for foodborne illnesses. There were also issues regarding the cleanliness of dishes and cooking equipment.
The restaurant’s inspection history, accessible online, only goes back three years, but Carbon has received visits from health inspectors almost every year since 2023.
When approached about the health rating, the manager at Carbon opted not to comment. Yet, some patrons expressed their willingness to return despite the less-than-stellar rating.
Eric Winter, a frequent visitor, was taken aback upon learning of the “B” grade, specifically questioning the safety of dining on raw dishes in such an environment. He acknowledged the service quality but noted hesitancy about returning.
Madison, another diner, emphasized the restaurant’s popularity on social media, suggesting that the allure of the place might overshadow its cleanliness issues.
A tourist, who was also enjoying her time outside the restaurant, mentioned that they would likely continue visiting despite the rating.
In its recent inspection, the restaurant scored significantly lower than in previous years, moving from 21 points in 2024 to just 17 points. According to the city’s grading system, an “A” rating ranges from 0 to 13 points, while a “B” spans from 14 to 27 points.
Carbon’s previous health violations include issues like missing dishwashing equipment and workers handling food without gloves. It’s noteworthy that another inspection less than a year apart revealed similar temperature-related violations, along with concerns about waste disposal practices.
One local who passed by expressed surprise, saying he had expected better, given the restaurant’s reputation. Visitors from out of town remarked on their enjoyment of the food but expressed uncertainty about returning after hearing the inspection results.
While some diners remain loyal due to the restaurant’s famed atmosphere, questions linger about whether reputation alone can justify overlooking these health concerns.
