A-listers have been settling for a B for years without even knowing.
Perennially-buzzy West Village red sauce joint Carbone has been concealing its city-issued, cleanliness-rating “B” letter grade from diners — possibly for years, The Post has learned.
The ritzy Thompson Street restaurant – where the likes of Leonardo DiCaprio, Rihanna and the Kardashians have been spotted on repeat since it opened in 2012 — has been dinged for sanitary violations worthy of a below-A rating “B” status since at least 2023, according to the a city website that makes the grades public.
Health inspectors, during their most recent visit in July, scolded the restaurant for not posting its B grade — bright green and bold on an 8×11 sign — where it can be seen from the street, or possibly at all. The city’s health department requires all restaurants to display their grades in clear view of passers-by, and at all times.
The city found five violations last month, including temperature-controlled food held at higher-than-normal temperatures — thus increasing the risk of foodborne illness — as well as “deficient” washing of dishes, utensils and equipment.
The city’s website only shows restaurants’ inspection histories for the past three years. Restaurants are randomly inspected at least yearly, and Carbone has had the health department visit annually since 2023.
When confronted with the grade online, a clearly mortified Carbone manager shook her head and refused to comment Thursday. But despite the subpar rating, some customers told The Post they’d still come back for seconds.
“Really?!” notably shocked customer Eric Winter, a college student and four-time Carbone guest, said after learning of the eatery’s letter grade. “I have the beef carpaccio — maybe it’s not smart to get raw meat from a ‘B’ rated place.
“Honestly though, the service is phenomenal,” the 18-year-old Boston resident told The Post. “They’re always super-friendly. I’m pretty sure I’m going to keep coming.”
Kentucky resident Madison, 30, who has visited the eatery “about 50 times since 2023” said she comes partly because “people will be talking about it on TikTok and Instagram: it’s a really popular place.”
“I think the pictures that people like to post and the clout will overpower warm eggs and cleaning issues,” she mused.
“We know the restaurant, we’ve eaten here many times before,” one unfazed Italian tourist said as she took turns posing for photos outside the swanky spot. “Yeah, I think we’re still going.”
The latest inspection racked up a total 17 health department points, compared to 21 points in 2024 and 22 points in 2023.
An inspection score between 0 to 13 points yields an A rating, and 14 to 27 is a B, according to the city’s website. Restaurants that rack up an abysmal 28 or more points — usually because of roaches, rats, mice (or all three) — get a C grade.
Carbone’s first available health inspection online details four sanitary violations found in April 2023, including: a hot food item kept below 140 degrees Fahrenheit; “deficient” dishwashing equipment; a lack of restroom toilet paper, trash bin or self-closing door; and a worker using bare hands to prep food.
Carbone was scolded during another inspection less than a year later for similar food temperature-related violations. The same visit also found a malfunctioning sewage disposal system; liquid waste “improperly disposed of;” and the absence of a mandatory “wash hands” sign.
“I would’ve expected an A — it seems like a really nice place,” said Carbone passerby and Manhattan resident Alex, 29. “I’ve gone to B ratings before though, I’m not picky.”
“It was very good,” 55-year-olds Gigi and Scott, visiting from Portland, Oregon, said of their Carbone experience – which was included on their extensive New York bucket list.
Gigi said she isn’t sure whether the pair will be returning to the buzzy spot after “knowing everything now.”
“On the surface, everything is great,” said Carbone patron Michael Russo, 35, visiting from Boston. “But for a restaurant like that, they shouldn’t fall back on their reputation.”
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