Cafe on 5th, Sterling Affair

Name: Cafe on 5th, Sterling Affair
Address: 1216 5 Avenue, NYC, NY, 10029, US
Telephone: (212) 822-7229

1216 5 Avenue, Manhattan, NY 10029

American East Harlem South (212) 822-7229

Grade A · as of Feb 12, 2026

Cafe on 5th, Sterling Affair was last inspected on February 12, 2026 and scored 7 points (A range). Inspectors found 1 violation, 1 of them critical.

Latest inspection

February 12, 2026 · Cycle Inspection · Re-inspection

Score: 7 points (A range)

1 critical

CriticalFood handling

Food was contaminated or cross-contaminated, or wasn’t thrown out when it should have been.

Official wording (code 04H)
Raw, cooked or prepared food is adulterated, contaminated, cross-contaminated, or not discarded in accordance with HACCP plan.

Inspection scores over time. Lower is better: 0–13 is an A, 14–27 a B, 28 or more a C.

Inspection history

4 inspections on record

Dec 30, 2025 15 15 points (B range)

Cycle Inspection · Initial Inspection

Scored in the B range on an initial inspection, so no grade is given yet. A re-inspection follows.
2 critical Show violations
- CriticalHygiene & sanitation
  
  Someone was eating, drinking, or smoking in a food prep or dishwashing area.
  
  Official wording (code 06B)
  Tobacco or electronic cigarette use, eating, or drinking from open container in food preparation, food storage or dishwashing area.
- CriticalFood handling
  
  No one supervising the kitchen held a Food Protection Certificate.
  
  Official wording (code 04A)
  Food Protection Certificate (FPC) not held by manager or supervisor of food operations.
Aug 1, 2024 A 13 points (A range)

Cycle Inspection · Initial Inspection
1 critical2 general Show violations
- CriticalPests
  
  Mice, or signs of mice, were found.
  
  Official wording (code 04L)
  Evidence of mice or live mice in establishment's food or non-food areas.
- GeneralPests
  
  The building wasn’t pest-proofed: gaps, holes, or clutter that let rodents or insects in or give them shelter.
  
  Official wording (code 08A)
  Establishment is not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects or other pests.
- GeneralFacility upkeep
  
  Plumbing was missing protection against backflow, or floors didn’t drain properly.
  
  Official wording (code 10B)
  Anti-siphonage or back-flow prevention device not provided where required; equipment or floor not properly drained; sewage disposal system in disrepair or not functioning properly. Condensation or liquid waste improperly disposed of.
Mar 22, 2023 A 12 points (A range)

Cycle Inspection · Re-inspection
2 critical Show violations
- CriticalPests
  
  Mice, or signs of mice, were found.
  
  Official wording (code 04L)
  Evidence of mice or live mice in establishment's food or non-food areas.
- CriticalFood handling
  
  Food was contaminated or cross-contaminated, or wasn’t thrown out when it should have been.
  
  Official wording (code 04H)
  Raw, cooked or prepared food is adulterated, contaminated, cross-contaminated, or not discarded in accordance with HACCP plan.

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How NYC grades restaurants

Inspectors add points for each violation. Lower is better.
0–13 points earns an A. 14–27 is a B. 28 or more is a C.
A restaurant that scores 14 or more on its first inspection gets no grade yet. It is re-inspected about a month later and can display “Grade Pending” in the meantime.

Severity levels

Critical Can directly make someone sick: food temperatures, contamination, pests, hand-washing.
General Cleanliness, maintenance and facility problems.
Paperwork Missing signs, permits or paperwork.

More in East Harlem South

Source: NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) open data, refreshed hourly. Last inspection 9 months ago. Always confirm with the official record.