They only get an A for effort.<\/p>\n
Nearly a dozen Instagram-worthy hotspots around the Big Apple are pulling a fast one on oblivious foodies by hiding their city-issued B and C letter grades, The Post has found.<\/p>\n
Patrons sitting at outdoor tables at Citizens of Soho restaurant. Gabriella Bass<\/p>\n
Trendy eateries such as Serafina, Citizens of Soho, Flippers and more have earned sub-A ratings over the likes of rodents, flies and other hazards \u2014 but are duping diners by posting outdated \u201cgrade pending\u201d notices or foregoing the mandatory signs altogether, The Post has learned.<\/p>\n
Ritzy Dante outpost Caffe Dante has been hiding a B rating since March 2024, when it was issued five sanitary violations over mice, flies and \u201cconditions conducive\u201d to other pests.<\/p>\n
As of Thursday, it displays an outdated \u201cgrade pending\u201d sign outside.<\/p>\n
\u201cI honestly never would\u2019ve noticed,\u201d Caffe Dante diner Rebecca, 24, said, adding she would still \u201cprobably\u201d return.<\/p>\n
\u201cI just wish they were more up-front about it, it\u2019s deceptive,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n
\u201cI honestly never would\u2019ve noticed,\u201d one Caffe Dante diner said.<\/p>\n
But not all New Yorkers said they would return to the beloved dining spot \u2014 which did not return a request for comment \u2014 knowing its rating.<\/p>\n
\u201cRats shouldn\u2019t be in kitchens or restaurants unless it\u2019s Ratatouille,\u201d said 29-year-old Adam Fazli. \u201cI only strive for A\u2019s. That\u2019s it.\u201d<\/p>\n
The city\u2019s health department requires all restaurants to display their grades in a bold 8 x 11 sign in clear view of passers-by, and at all times, or risk fines.<\/p>\n
Aria wine bar in the West Village has a B rating, but displays a \u201cgrade pending\u201d sign. Nicole Rosenthal\/NY Post<\/p>\n
Citizens of Soho<\/a>, a viral Aussie-style brunch joint, touts a \u201cgrade pending\u201d sign outside its Nolita outpost \u2013 despite being issued a C rating in April over rats, flies and food contamination concerns, The Post found.<\/p>\n A closing manager at the restaurant told The Post the facility is contesting the letter grade. A July follow-up still found evidence of rats, an unwashed food surface and food held at improper temperatures, but missed its absent letter rating.<\/p>\n \u201cThe food was good, so I don\u2019t really know and I don\u2019t care,\u201d one customer said.<\/p>\n The brunch spot is only one of roughly 200 in Manhattan with a C rating, per city records. More than 8,000 Manhattan establishments have an A rating, and about 600 others have a B.<\/p>\n Aria\u2019s grade was switched from \u201cgrade pending\u201d to \u201cB\u201d during a Post visit.<\/p>\n