5 restaurants in Bradenton, Lakewood Ranch cited by health inspectors

Florida’s Division of Hotels and Restaurants routinely inspects restaurants, food trucks and other food service establishments for public health and cleanliness issues. The reports are public information.

During the most recent inspections in Manatee County, issues at area restaurants included lack of employee hand-washing and bare hand-contact with food.

A Bradenton fast food restaurant was also cited for signs of rodent activity.

Here is what inspectors found:

River Club Grille, 6600 River Club Blvd., Lakewood Ranch

• Shredded cheese, lettuce and butter were cold held at temperatures greater than 41 degrees. Corrective action was taken. The items were iced down.
• Raw shell eggs were stored at an ambient air temperature greater than 45 degrees. Corrective action was taken.
• Raw shell eggs were stored above ready-to-eat cheese in a walk-in cooler. Corrective action was taken.
• A large can of kidney beans was dented at the seam. Corrective action was taken. The can was removed from service.
• An open container of milk was not properly date-marked. Corrective action was taken.
• A can opener blade was soiled.
• A handwash sink was used for non-handwashing purposes. Corrective action was taken.
• A wall near the cook line was soiled.
• Reach-in freezer gaskets were soiled with a black slimy substance. Corrective action was taken.
• A reach-in cooler was not maintaining cool enough temperatures. An inspector advised discontinuing use of the unit until it was working properly.
• A follow-up inspection was required.

Scarpino’s Family Restaurant, 6152 14th St. W., Bradenton

• Raw garlic in oil was stored at a temperature greater than 41 degrees. Corrective action was taken.
• The flooring in the entire kitchen area was unsealed concrete, according to an inspector.
• A mixer head was soiled.
• Shelves in cold-holding units throughout the kitchen were soiled.
• A microwave was soiled.
• Two cooks were preparing food without hair restraints. Corrective action was taken.
• A follow-up inspection was required.

Domino’s, 14640 S.R. 70 E. , Lakewood Ranch

• During a follow-up visit for previous violations, an inspector observed unresolved issues, including a manager that had not received food manager certification.
• Another follow-up inspection was required.

Gianni’s NY Pizza, 4925 S.R. 64, Bradenton

• An inspector observed two food employees change gloves without washing hands in the process. Corrective action was taken.
• Four cans of pizza sauce were dented. Corrective action was taken. The cans were removed from service.
• There was mold-like substance and slime on an ice chute of a self-service drink machine in the dining area.

• No written procedures available for use of time as a public health control to monitor potentially hazardous foods. Corrective action was taken.

• Previously prepared chicken and eggplant that were being held for future use were not properly date-marked. Corrective action was taken.

• Required food safety training was expired for some employees.

• Walk-in cooler and/or freezer shelves were pitted with rust.

• A box of desserts was stored on the floor of a walk-in freezer. Corrective action was taken.

• Two employees were not wearing hair restraints while preparing food. Corrective action was taken.

• The restaurant met inspection standards.

Riviera Mediterranean Grille, 8742 S.R. 70 E, Bradenton

• Raw shell eggs were stored above cooked pasta in a reach-in cooler. Corrective action was taken.
• A can of garbanzo beans was dented at the seam. Corrective action was taken. The can was removed from service.
• Cooked gyro meat that was being held for future use was not properly date-marked. Corrective action was taken.

• Previously prepared tzatziki sauce was not properly date-marked. Corrective action was taken.

• There was an accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of an ice machine.

• There was unsealed concrete flooring under the cook line.

• Cooked gyro meat was stored uncovered in a freezer. Corrective action was taken.

• Reach-in cooler interiors and/or shelves were soiled with debris.

• There was an accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of an ice machine.

• The restaurant met inspection standards.

Editor’s Note: According to the Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation, these reports are a “snapshot” of the conditions present at the time of the inspection and are public record. The agency is required to inspect every licensed restaurant at least once per year, but new and “high-risk” establishments tend to be inspected more frequently.

When an emergency shutdown order is given by an inspector, it must first be reviewed and approved by agency supervisors. In order for a business to reopen, an inspector will continue visiting the establishment daily until compliance is met. Some citations may include a financial penalty. Inspectors may also respond to complaints, which can be filed here.

The Bradenton Herald’s weekly dirty dining reports list restaurants where inspectors found issues that might concern the average diner — such as unsafe food temperatures, employee hand-washing issues or moldy drink machines — regardless of whether or not the businesses passed inspection.