B

Essence Bar & Grill

1662 Atlantic Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11213

American Crown Heights North (718) 913-7495

Grade B · as of Nov 1, 2025

Essence Bar & Grill was last inspected on November 1, 2025 and scored 18 points (B range). Inspectors found 4 violations, 2 of them critical, including signs of pests.

Latest inspection

November 1, 2025 · Cycle Inspection · Re-inspection

B

Score: 18 points (B range)

2 critical2 general
  • CriticalPests

    Rats, or signs of rats, were found.

    Official wording (code 04K)

    Evidence of rats or live rats in establishment's food or non-food areas.

  • CriticalFood temperature

    Cold food was kept warmer than 41°F, where bacteria can grow.

    Official wording (code 02G)

    Cold TCS food item held above 41 °F; smoked or processed fish held above 38 °F; intact raw eggs held above 45 °F; or reduced oxygen packaged (ROP) TCS foods held above required temperatures except during active necessary preparation.

  • GeneralFacility upkeep

    Non-food surfaces or equipment were dirty, damaged, or made of unsuitable material.

    Official wording (code 10F)

    Non-food contact surface or equipment made of unacceptable material, not kept clean, or not properly sealed, raised, spaced or movable to allow accessibility for cleaning on all sides, above and underneath the unit.

  • 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.

ABAug 10, 2023: 313123/08Aug 24, 2023: 373723/08Sep 25, 2023: 262623/09Mar 28, 2024: 131324/03Jun 18, 2025: 282825/06Nov 1, 2025: 181825/11
Inspection scores over time. Lower is better: 0–13 is an A, 14–27 a B, 28 or more a C.

Inspection history

7 inspections on record

  1. 28 28 points (C range)

    Cycle Inspection · Initial Inspection

    Scored in the C range on an initial inspection, so no grade is given yet. A re-inspection follows.

    3 critical2 general Show violations
    • CriticalPests

      Rats, or signs of rats, were found.

      Official wording (code 04K)

      Evidence of rats or live rats in establishment's food or non-food areas.

    • CriticalHygiene & sanitation

      Clean utensils or equipment were stored or handled in a way that could contaminate them.

      Official wording (code 06E)

      Sanitized equipment or utensil, including in-use food dispensing utensil, improperly used or stored.

    • CriticalHygiene & sanitation

      Surfaces that touch food weren’t properly washed and sanitized.

      Official wording (code 06D)

      Food contact surface not properly washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any activity when contamination may have occurred.

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Non-food surfaces or equipment were dirty, damaged, or made of unsuitable material.

      Official wording (code 10F)

      Non-food contact surface or equipment made of unacceptable material, not kept clean, or not properly sealed, raised, spaced or movable to allow accessibility for cleaning on all sides, above and underneath the unit.

    • 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.

  2. –

    Administrative Miscellaneous · Initial Inspection · Violations were cited in the following area(s)

    1 paperwork Show violations
    • PaperworkSigns & paperwork

      Letter grade or Grade Pending card not posted.

      Official wording (code 20-06)

      Current letter grade or Grade Pending card not posted

  3. A 13 points (A range)

    Cycle Inspection · Initial Inspection

    1 critical2 general Show violations
    • CriticalFood temperature

      Hot food was being held below 140°F, where bacteria can grow.

      Official wording (code 02B)

      Hot TCS food item not held at or above 140 °F.

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Non-food surfaces or equipment were dirty, damaged, or made of unsuitable material.

      Official wording (code 10F)

      Non-food contact surface or equipment made of unacceptable material, not kept clean, or not properly sealed, raised, spaced or movable to allow accessibility for cleaning on all sides, above and underneath the unit.

    • 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.

  4. 26 26 points (B range)

    Pre-permit (Operational) · Compliance Inspection

    3 critical1 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.

    • CriticalHygiene & sanitation

      Surfaces that touch food weren’t properly washed and sanitized.

      Official wording (code 06D)

      Food contact surface not properly washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any activity when contamination may have occurred.

    • CriticalFood temperature

      Cold food was kept warmer than 41°F, where bacteria can grow.

      Official wording (code 02G)

      Cold TCS food item held above 41 °F; smoked or processed fish held above 38 °F; intact raw eggs held above 45 °F; or reduced oxygen packaged (ROP) TCS foods held above required temperatures except during active necessary preparation.

    • 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.

  5. C 37 points (C range)

    Pre-permit (Operational) · Re-inspection

    4 critical4 general Show violations
    • CriticalPests

      Live roaches were found.

      Official wording (code 04M)

      Live roaches in facility's food or non-food area.

    • CriticalHygiene & sanitation

      Surfaces that touch food weren’t properly washed and sanitized.

      Official wording (code 06D)

      Food contact surface not properly washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any activity when contamination may have occurred.

    • 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 temperature

      Cold food was kept warmer than 41°F, where bacteria can grow.

      Official wording (code 02G)

      Cold TCS food item held above 41 °F; smoked or processed fish held above 38 °F; intact raw eggs held above 45 °F; or reduced oxygen packaged (ROP) TCS foods held above required temperatures except during active necessary preparation.

    • GeneralPests

      Pesticides were used or stored improperly, or open bait was used.

      Official wording (code 08C)

      Pesticide not properly labeled or used by unlicensed individual. Pesticide, other toxic chemical improperly used/stored. Unprotected, unlocked bait station used.

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Non-food surfaces or equipment were poorly built or maintained.

      Official wording (code 10G)

      Dishwashing and ware washing: Cleaning and sanitizing of tableware, including dishes, utensils, and equipment deficient.

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Non-food surfaces or equipment were dirty, damaged, or made of unsuitable material.

      Official wording (code 10F)

      Non-food contact surface or equipment made of unacceptable material, not kept clean, or not properly sealed, raised, spaced or movable to allow accessibility for cleaning on all sides, above and underneath the unit.

    • 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.

  6. 31 31 points (C range)

    Pre-permit (Operational) · Initial Inspection

    Scored in the C range on an initial inspection, so no grade is given yet. A re-inspection follows.

    3 critical3 general Show violations
    • CriticalHygiene & sanitation

      Food or supplies weren’t protected from contamination during storage, prep, or service.

      Official wording (code 06C)

      Food, supplies, or equipment not protected from potential source of contamination during storage, preparation, transportation, display, service or from customer’s refillable, reusable container. Condiments not in single-service containers or dispensed directly by the vendor.

    • 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 temperature

      Cold food was kept warmer than 41°F, where bacteria can grow.

      Official wording (code 02G)

      Cold TCS food item held above 41 °F; smoked or processed fish held above 38 °F; intact raw eggs held above 45 °F; or reduced oxygen packaged (ROP) TCS foods held above required temperatures except during active necessary preparation.

    • 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.

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Non-food surfaces or equipment were dirty, damaged, or made of unsuitable material.

      Official wording (code 10F)

      Non-food contact surface or equipment made of unacceptable material, not kept clean, or not properly sealed, raised, spaced or movable to allow accessibility for cleaning on all sides, above and underneath the unit.

More in Crown Heights North

Source: NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) open data, refreshed hourly. Last inspection 12 months ago. Always confirm with the official record.