BELLA VITA ITALIAN KITCHEN
501 N BENEVA RD STE 250, Sarasota FL 34232 · 401-226-1650
Last inspected Nov 25, 2025 · 9 visits since September 2023
JUL 24
APR 25
MAY 25
AUG 25
NOV 25
≈ ERRATIC
5 inspections, swinging between A and D. Consistency is the problem here, not any single visit.
Presence of insects, rodents, or other pests. Observed approximately 1 live crawling insect on top of the kitchen make table. Operator killed/disposed of the insect and cleaned the area.
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Inspection history
9 visits, newest first
Nov 25, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 4 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority0 Intermediate4 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 4 findings
Food stored on floor. Observed cases of food stored on the floor of their walk in cooler.
In-use utensil not stored with handle above the top of time/temperature control for safety food and rim of the container. Observed a scoop handle in contact with potatoes on the cook line. Operator removed the scoop.
In-use wet wiping cloth/towel used under cutting board. Observed a wet wiping cloth under their yellow cutting board. Operator removed the cloth.
Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. Observed coffee filters not protected with a lid. Operator placed a lid on their container.
Aug 20, 2025□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Aug 19, 2025Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 10 recorded, 5 high priority.
5 High priority0 Intermediate5 Basic
Show 10 findings ▾
Container of medicine improperly stored. Observed a container of medicine improperly stored above the cook line. Operator removed it.
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw chicken stored over butter in the kitchen.
Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. Observed a filet of reduced oxygen packaged fish not removed from its package when thawed. Operator willingly disposed of the product.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed in their temporary outside walk in cooler: Chicken (48F - Cold Holding); Pork (48F - Cold Holding); Cooked noodles (48F - Cold Holding). Operators walk in cooler went down and is currently waiting on a replacement. Operator was able to show digital record of their cooler being at the appropriate temperature but had three truck come in today and stated that they had the door open too long.
Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Observed multiple chemicals stored above their back food prep storage area. Operator removed the products.
Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed a cup used as a scoop for their flour. Operator removed it.
Commercially processed reduced oxygen packaged fish bearing a label indicating that it is to remain frozen until time of use no longer frozen and not removed from reduced oxygen package. Observed a filet of reduced oxygen packaged fish not removed from its package when thawed. Operator willingly disposed of the product.
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Observed an open water bottle stored above their back make table. Operator removed it.
Employee with no beard guard/restraint while engaging in food preparation. Observed their chef without a beard restraint.
Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Observed a prep cook without a hair restraint. Operator had them put on a hat.
May 6, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionComplaint Investigation
Met inspection standards. 4 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
3 High priority0 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 4 findings ▾
Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Observed sitting on top of the fill line in the kitchen make table: Butter chips (60F - Cold Holding); Fresh Cooked garlic (56F - Cold Holding) Operator stated they had been there for over a day. Operator willingly disposed of the product.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed sitting on top of the fill line in the kitchen make table: Butter chips (60F - Cold Holding); Fresh Cooked garlic (56F - Cold Holding) Operator stated they had been there for over a day. Operator willingly disposed of the product.
Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Observed multiple chemical spray bottles stored above food product and soda boxes in the dry storage area. Operator removed the bottles.
Insect control device installed over food preparation area. Observed an insect control device placed above their soda/ice holder in the kitchen.
Apr 3, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionLicensing Inspection
Nothing was found. The inspector recorded no violations at all.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Jul 24, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 4 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority0 Intermediate4 Basic
Show 4 findings ▾
Employee personal food not properly identified and segregated from food to be served to the public. Observed employee food mixed with customer food in the right side standing reach in cooler.
Employee wearing jewelry other than a plain ring on their hands/arms while preparing food. Observed an employee making food with a watch on. Operator had the employee remove the watch.
Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Observed the operator making food with no hair restraint. Operator put on a hat.
Outer openings not protected with self-closing doors. Observed the back exit door not self closing.
Dec 7, 2023□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 1 finding ▾
Dumpster rusted out on bottom.
Dec 6, 2023Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 4 recorded, 1 high priority.
1 High priority0 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 4 findings ▾
Presence of insects, rodents, or other pests. Observed approximately 1 live crawling insect on top of the kitchen make table. Operator killed/disposed of the insect and cleaned the area.
Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed multiple ceiling vents with soot build up in the establishment. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the employee.
Dumpster rusted out on bottom.
Floor not cleaned when the least amount of food is exposed. Observed food debris build up below the standing reach in coolers on the cook line.
Sep 5, 2023Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 10 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
2 High priority3 Intermediate5 Basic
Show 11 findings ▾
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food marked with a date that exceeds 7 days after opening/preparation. Observed approximately 8 pounds of cooked pasta in the walk in cooler date marked 8/25. Operator willingly tossed food.
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food not consumed/sold within 7 days after opening/preparation. See stop sale. Observed approximately 8 pounds of cooked pasta in the walk in cooler date marked 8/25. Operator willingly tossed food.
Certified Food Manager or person in charge lacks knowledge of foodborne illnesses and symptoms of illness that would prevent an employee from working with food, clean equipment and utensils, and single-service items. Gave operator a big 6 chart to post. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the employee.
Establishment has no written procedures for employees to follow in response to a vomiting or diarrheal event where the vomit or diarrhea is discharged onto surfaces in the establishment. Handed operator a copy. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the employee.
No proof provided that food employees are informed of their responsibility to report to the person in charge information about their health and activities related to foodborne illnesses. Observed no signed agreements. Gave operator a copy to sign and emailed him more. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the employee.
Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed Ceiling vents with a build up of black soot in the kitchen. Observed ceiling tiles in the kitchen with a buildup of grease.
Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed.
Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Observed cutting boards in the dishwashing area with grooves. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the employee.
Reach-in freezer interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. The bottom of the kitchen standing reach in freezer soiled with food debris.
Unsealed concrete floor in food preparation, food storage, warewashing area or bathroom. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the employee.
Propane tank (larger than 2.7 lb. water capacity/1 lb. gas capacity) located inside of the building. For reporting purposes only. Observed 4 propane tanks in the back storage area. Propane tanks used as part of a alcohol setup. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the employee.
This record follows the licence, not the owner. Restaurants change hands and the licence history normally does not, so an older entry may describe people who no longer run the place. Every inspection above links to the state's own report. Something wrong? Tell us.