13 Sarasota area restaurants get high-priority violations, 16 ace inspections
Our digital database of restaurant health inspections is updated regularly with the latest information on which Sarasota, Bradenton and Venice area restaurants passed or failed.
You can use the database to search by Sarasota or Manatee County or by restaurant name. You can see which restaurants were fined and which were forced into temporary closure.
Disclaimer: The Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation describes an inspection report as “a ‘snapshot’ of conditions present at the time of the inspection." On any given day, an establishment may have fewer or more violations than noted in their most recent inspection. An inspection conducted on any given day may not be representative of the overall, long-term conditions at the establishment.
Please note that some more recent, follow-up inspections may not be included here.
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Sarasota-Manatee best restaurant inspections
The following restaurants and food trucks, listed in alphabetical order, passed their inspections April 14-20 with zero violations:
Applebee's, 5490 Clark Road, Sarasota
Big Top Brewing Company, 3045 Fruitville Commons Blvd., Sarasota
Bits and Bites, 31625 Clay Gully Road, Myakka City
Court 21, 3100 Harbourside Drive, Longboat Key
GitChewSum BBQ, 370 Commercial Court, Venice
Green T Spot, 3420 77th Ct. E., Palmetto
Harbor Bistro, 125 Harbor Drive S., Venice
Las Maracuchas, 3401 14th St. W., Bradenton
Lenny's Pizza & Island Bar, 6645 Midnight Pass Road, Sarasota
North River Pizza Company, 11255 U.S. 301 N. Suite 101, Parrish
Opita Salad, 1155 N. Washington Blvd. Unit G, Sarasota
Osaka Sushi & Grill, 8950 U.S. 301 N. Unit 113, Parrish
Purely Mana, 6592 Superior Ave., Sarasota
The Ringling Grillroom, 5401 Bayshore Blvd., Sarasota
Sage, 1216 First St., Sarasota
The Window, 3000 Harbourside Drive, Longboat Key
Sarasota County restaurant inspections with high-priority violations:
The following restaurants, listed in alphabetical order, were issued warnings, recommended for administrative complaints or were temporarily closed due to failed inspections April 14-20:
Allegro Bistro
1740 E. Venice Ave. Unit #10, Venice
April 16
Follow-up needed: Administrative complaint recommended.
Eleven total violations, with three high-priority violations:
High Priority - Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Observed nonfood-grade bags covering pizza dough in the walk-in cooler. Observed nonfood-grade bags used to stored bread in the kitchen. The operator removed the foods from the nonfood-grade bags. **Corrected On-Site**
High Priority - Stop sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Observed sliced cheese (54F - cold holding); cooked pasta (56F - cold holding) in the reach-in cooler at the entrance to the cook line. The operator stated the above foods had been held overnight. The operator discarded the foods. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41F. Observed raw calamari (52F - cold holding); raw ground beef (50F - cold holding); ricotta-stuffed pasta shells (52F - cold holding) in the reach-in cooler at the entrance to the cook line. The operator stated the above foods were pulled from the walk-in cooler approximately two hours prior. The operator placed the items back in the walk-in cooler. Observed sliced cheese (54F - cold holding); cooked pasta (56F - cold holding) in the reach-in cooler at the entrance to the cook line. The operator stated the items had been held overnight. The operator discarded the items. Observed butter (71F - cold holding) on a table at the wait station. The operator stated the butter had been held for approximately two hours. The operator placed the butter in a reach-in cooler. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
Allegro Bistro
1740 E. Venice Ave. Unit #10, Venice
April 17
Call back — administrative complaint recommended. Follow-up needed.
Five total violations, with one high-priority violation:
High Priority - From follow-up inspection 2024-04-17: Observed raw calamari (47F - cold holding); raw ground beef (50F - cold holding); raw tuna (47F - cold holding); sliced cheese (51F - cold holding) in the reach-in cooler at the entrance to the cook line. The operator stated the above foods were pulled from the walk-in cooler approximately 2.5 hours prior. The operator placed the items back in the walk-in cooler. Observed butter (56F - cold holding) at the wait station. The operator stated the butter has been held for less than two hours. The operator placed the butter in a reach-in cooler. **Admin Complaint** **Corrective Action Taken**
Block 15 Cork and Craft
1528 Main St., Sarasota
April 19
Follow-up needed: Warning issued.
Three total violations, with one high-priority violation:
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw shell eggs stored over ready-to-eat fresh herbs in the glass door reach-in cooler in the kitchen. Owner placed the eggs below the herbs. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
Il Panificio
1703 Main St., Sarasota
April 19
Follow-up needed: Warning issued.
Five total violations, but four high-priority violations:
High Priority - Pesticide-emitting strip present in food prep area. Fly strip hanging above the three compartment sink. Manager removed the strip. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
High Priority - Stop sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. All the following items were stored in the converted keg reach in cooler in the left side of the front counter area: cooked eggplant (54F - cold holding); mozzarella cheese (55F - cold holding); pizza sauce (54F - cold holding); marinara (54F - cold holding); cannoli cream (53F - cold holding.) Manager stated the items had been stored in the reach-in cooler overnight. Manager discarded the items. **Warning**
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. All the following items were stored in the converted keg reach in cooler in the left side of the front counter area: cooked eggplant (54F - cold holding); mozzarella cheese (55F - cold holding); pizza sauce (54F - cold holding); marinara (54F - cold holding); cannoli cream (53F - cold holding). Manager stated the items had been stored in the reach-in cooler overnight. Manager discarded the items. **Warning**
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food identified in the written procedure as a food held using time as a public health control has no time marking and the time removed from temperature control cannot be determined. See stop sale. Pizza sold by the slice on time as a public health control has no time mark. Manager stated the pizza had been on time as a public health control for approximately 1.5 hours. Manager placed a time mark on the pizza. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
Metro Diner
2053 S. Tamiami Trail, Venice
April 16
Follow-up needed: Administrative complaint recommended.
Sixteen total violations, with six high-priority violations:
High Priority - Employee touched bare body part and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Observed a server rub her nose and failed to wash hands before picking up a gallon of milk. **Warning**
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw chicken over marinade in the walk-in cooler. **Warning**
High Priority - Stop sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse: milk (51F - cold holding); butter (61F - cold holding); raw fish (56F - cold holding.) **Warning**
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41F: milk (51F - cold holding); butter (61F - cold holding); raw fish (56F - cold holding) in the reach-in coolers. This is a repeat violation **Admin Complaint**
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food re-served to customers. Observed butter packets on the tables between guests. **Warning**
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. Observed a missing back flow preventer at the mop sink by the three compartment sink. **Warning**
Metro Diner
2053 S. Tamiami Trail, Venice
April 17
Call back — complied. Met inspection standards.
Siesta Key Oyster Bar
5238 Ocean Blvd., Sarasota
April 16
Follow-up needed: Administrative complaint recommended.
Five total violations, with two high-profile violations:
High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Observed license expired 12/1/23. Operator renewed during inspection. ** Admin Complaint** **Corrected On-Site**
High Priority - Quaternary ammonium sanitizer not at proper minimum strength for manual warewashing. Do not use equipment/utensils not properly sanitized. Observed quaternary bucket at 0 ppm.
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41F. Observed in four pullout drawers on cook line cold holding mahi 48F, shrimp 47F, hamburger 48F, grouper 48F, chicken 48F. Chef iced product and made service call. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the Manager. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
Siesta Key Oyster Bar
5238 Ocean Blvd., Sarasota
April 17
Call back — complied. Met inspection standards.
Manatee County restaurant inspections with high-priority violations:
The following restaurants, listed in alphabetical order, were issued warnings, recommended for administrative complaints or were temporarily closed due to failed inspections April 14-20:
Bridge Street Bistro
111 Gulf Drive S., Bradenton Beach
April 16
Follow-up needed: Warning issued.
Eleven total violations, with four high-priority violations:
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over canned/bottled drinks. Observed raw beef stored over kegs in the alcohol walk-in cooler. Operator removed the beef. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Observed raw beef stored over raw shrimp in the right side reach-in cooler on the cook line. Operator removed the shrimp. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
High Priority - Stop sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Observed on the right side salad make table: sliced tomatoes (55F - cold holding); pico de gallo (55F - cold holding); fresh salsa (55F - cold holding); fresh guacamole (55F - cold holding). Operator stated it had been out for approximately five hours. Observed in the back bar reach in cooler: milk (47F - cold holding.) Operator stated it had been there for over four hours. Operator willingly disposed of the food. **Warning**
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41F. Observed on the right side salad make table: sliced tomatoes (55F - cold holding); pico de gallo (55F - cold holding); fresh salsa (55F - cold holding); fresh guacamole (55F - cold holding). Operator stated it had been out for approximately five hours. Observed in the back bar reach in cooler: milk (47F - cold holding.) Operator stated it had been there for over four hours. Operator willingly disposed of the food. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
Bridge Street Bistro
111 Gulf Drive S., Bradenton Beach
April 17
Call back — complied. Met inspection standards.
Cremesh Coffee and Bakery
1822 59th St. W., Bradenton
April 15
Follow-up needed: Administrative complaint recommended.
Seven total violations, with two high-priority violations:
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41F: milk 51F, sour cream 51F, butter 51F. Operator stated he was having problems with walk-in. Operator moved items to reach-in cooler. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the employee. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at mop sink faucet or on fitting/splitter added to mop sink faucet. **Warning**
Cremesh Coffee and Bakery
1822 59th St. W., Bradenton
April 16
Call back — complied. Zero violations.
Lazy Lobster of Longboat Key
5350 Gulf of Mexico Drive #102, Longboat Key
April 17
Follow-up needed: Warning issued.
Fifteen total violations, with four high-priority violations:
High Priority - Stop sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse: salmon 50F, shrimp 50F. Operator voluntarily discarded salmon and shrimp. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41F: salmon (50F - cold holding); shrimp (50F - cold holding.) Operator stated items had been in cooler drawer since the day before. Operator voluntarily discarded items. **Warning**
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135F: butter sauce (110F - hot holding); marinara (112F - hot holding.) Operators stated sauces had just been put in holding unit. Operator removed sauces and heated to 212F. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
High Priority - Wiping cloth sanitizer solution exceeds the maximum concentration allowed. Sanitizer bucket at 200ppm. Operator corrected to 50ppm. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
Lazy Lobster of Longboat Key
5350 Gulf of Mexico Drive #102, Longboat Key
April 18
Call back — complied. Met inspection standards.
New Garden
4629 Cortez Road W., Bradenton
April 16
Follow-up needed: Administrative complaint recommended.
Ten total violations, with four high-priority violations:
High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Observed the license expired. Operator stated that they sent in a check on 12/19/23 and showed me their checkbook where it stated as such. Instructed the operator to call the Division for further information. **Corrective Action Taken** **Admin Complaint**
High Priority - Raw animal food stored in top portion of make table over ready-to-eat food in bottom portion of make table — no complete physical barrier between top and bottom. Observed raw shrimp and beef stored over ready-to-eat condiments in the left side cook line make table. Operator moved the condiments. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Observed raw beef stored over raw shrimp in the walk-in cooler. **Warning**
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41F. Observed on the cook line: garlic in oil (66F - cold holding). Operator stated it had been out for approximately one hour. Operator placed item in a reach-in cooler. Observed in the standing white reach-in cooler: chicken (52F - cold holding); cooked egg rolls (50F - cold holding.) Operator stated they had been there for approximately two hours. Operator turned the cooler down. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
New Garden
4629 Cortez Road W., Bradenton
April 17
Call back — complied. Met inspection standards.
Slicker’s Eatery
12012 Cortez Road W., Bradenton
April 18
Follow-up needed: Warning issued.
Four total violations, with two high-priority violations:
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw shell eggs stored over ready-to-eat rice in the walk-in cooler. Operator removed eggs. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41F. Observed in the walk-in cooler: chicken (50F - cold holding); fish (48F - cold holding); rice (46F - cold holding.) Operator stated he had left the door open to store a delivery for approximately 1 hour, 20 minutes before the inspection. Operator called a repairman. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
Slicker’s Eatery
12012 Cortez Road W., Bradenton
April 19
Call back — complied. Zero violations.
Sunny Wok
8756 S.R. 70 E., Bradenton
April 18
Follow-up needed: Administrative complaint recommended.
Ten total violations, with three high-priority violations:
High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the employee. **Admin Complaint**
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with unwashed produce. Observed in walk-in cooler raw beef over unwashed produce. Educated person in charge on safe refrigerator storage and emailed person in charge a copy of the handout in English and Chinese. Person in charge removed raw beef. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed in walk-in cooler raw chicken over cooked vegetables. Educated person in charge on safe refrigerator storage and emailed and printed a copy of the handout in English and Chinese. Person in charge removed raw chicken. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
Thai Wasabi
5250 State Road 64 E., Bradenton
April 15
Call back — administrative complaint recommended. Follow-up needed.
Two total violations, with one high-priority violation:
High Priority - From follow-up inspection 2024-04-15: Observed on cooks line cooked rice and egg mixture no time stamped. Educated person in charge on time/temperature control for safety food identified in the written procedure as a food held using time as a public health control has no time marking and the time removed from temperature control cannot be determined. Person in charge voluntarily discarded. **Admin Complaint**
Vernona Gourmet
711 Manatee Ave. E., Bradenton
April 15
Follow-up needed: Administrative complaint recommended.
Seven total violations, with three high-priority violations:
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed in main kitchen area reach-in cooler raw shell egg mix over cheese. Educated person in charge on safe refrigerator storage and emailed person in charge a copy of the handout. Person in charge removed egg mixture. **Corrected On-Site**
High Priority - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food marked with a date that exceeds seven days after opening/preparation. Observed in main kitchen area reach-in cooler sausage gravy date marked 4/5/24 and Hollandaise date marked 4/6/24. Educated person in charge on ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food marked with a date that exceeds seven days after opening/preparation. Person in charge voluntarily discarded both items. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the employee. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
High Priority - Stop sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. Observed in main kitchen area reach-in cooler sausage gravy date marked 4/5/24 and Hollandaise date marked 4/6/24. Educated person in charge on ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food marked with a date that exceeds seven days after opening/preparation. Person in charge voluntarily discarded both items. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the employee.
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This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Sarasota Bradenton restaurants receive violations, ace inspections
