5 restaurants in Bradenton, University Park, Longboat Key get poor health inspections

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, restaurants were cited for problems including dirty kitchens and lack of employee handwashing; one restaurant had bugs in flour.

Here is what inspectors found:

Pierre’s Eatery, 5463 Factory Shops Blvd., Ellenton

• During a follow-up visit for previous violations, an inspector found numerous unresolved issues.
• There was no current documentation of a certified food manager for the restaurant.
• There was no probe thermometer on site to measure the temperature of food products.
• There was no proof of required food safety training for any employees.
• There were no written procedures available for use of time as a public health control to monitor potentially hazardous foods.
• Parts of a floor mixer were heavily soiled.

• No Heimlich maneuver/choking sign was posted.

• A floor drain did not have a cover.

• The restaurant’s current license was not displayed.

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

• Another follow-up inspection was required.

Riverhouse Waterfront Restaurant, Second Floor, 995 Riverside Dr., Palmetto

• An employee handled dirty dishes and then failed to wash hands before handling clean dishes. An inspector advised the employee and a manager on proper handwashing. Corrective action was taken.
• Raw shell eggs were stored over shredded cheese in a walk-in cooler. Corrective action was taken.

• Raw animal foods (beef and fish) were not properly separated from one another in a reach-in cooler based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Corrective action was taken.

• Shellfish tags were not marked with the last date that the food was served.

• Walls in a dishwashing area were soiled.

• The exteriors of all cooking equipment on the cook line were soiled.

• The floor of a walk-in cooler was soiled.

• The restaurant met inspection standards.

Viento Kitchen and Bar, 4711 Gulf of Mexico Dr., Longboat Key

• An employee cracked raw shell eggs and then failed to wash hands before touching clean dry towels. An inspector advised the employee and a manager on proper handwashing procedure.
• Cut melon was cold held at a temperature greater than 41 degrees.
• There was an accumulation of mold-like substance in the interior of an ice machine.
• Water was draining onto a floor surface.
• A waste line was missing at a soda gun holster in a bar area.
• The area around soda machine nozzles was soiled. Corrective action was taken.
• Four pairs of tongs were stored on an equipment floor handle between uses. Corrective action was taken.
• There was standing water in a dishwashing area.
  
  
• An employee drink was stored on a dishmachine. Corrective action was taken.
• The restaurant met inspection standards.

Thai Seed, 5215 University Parkway #108, University Park

• An inspector observed small insects inside of a bin of flour on a dry storage shelf. A stop sale was issued due to contamination of food product.
• Paper towels were used to line containers of chopped green onions and cilantro. Corrective action was taken.
• Employee water bottles were stored next to sauce containers on the cook line. Corrective action was taken.
• There was an accumulation of mold-like substance in the interior of an ice machine.
• The restaurant met inspection standards.

Longbeach Cafe, 6836 Gulf of Mexico Dr., Longboat Key

• Dishmachine sanitizer was not at the proper minimum strength. An inspector took a sanitizer reading of zero. Corrective action was taken. A restaurant operator set up manual warewashing in a three-compartment sink.
• A dishwasher touched dirty dishes and then failed to wash hands before handling clean plates. An inspector advised the employee and a manager on proper handwashing.
• No soap was provided at two employee handwash sinks. Corrective action was taken.
• There was an accumulation of mold-like substance in the interior of an ice machine.
• There was standing water in the bottom of a reach-in cooler.
• Shelves underneath cook line tables were soiled.
• There was soiling around soda nozzles.
• Floors were soiled between pieces of equipment throughout the kitchen.
• Cutting boards throughout the kitchen had cut marks and were no longer cleanable.
• There was an accumulation of limescale on the inside of a dishmachine.
• 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 at www.myfloridalicense.com.

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.