BISTRO TOWERHOUSE
5500 COLLINS AVE, Miami Beach FL 33140 · 305.861.8339
Last inspected Jul 23, 2026 · 9 visits since October 2023
NOV 24
MAR 25
JUL 25
JAN 26
JUL 26
≈ ERRATIC
5 inspections, swinging between A and F. Consistency is the problem here, not any single visit.
Food with mold-like growth. See stop sale. Observed Parmesan cheese with mold like substance on it. Cheese was discarded.
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Inspection history
9 visits, newest first
Jul 23, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 4 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
2 High priority0 Intermediate2 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 4 findings
Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Observed bread in direct contact with carry out shopping market bags inside reach in coolers. Employee transferred the food to food grade bags.
Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Observed raw beef above raw fish inside reach in cooler located in front of the prep sink. Employee inverted them.
Establishment charging automatic gratuity/ operations charge without properly disclosing the information on the menu and the bill/ not visible or smaller than the letter size used for food items.
Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry.
Jan 30, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 6 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority3 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 6 findings ▾
Employee began working with food, handling clean equipment or utensils, or touching unwrapped single-service items without first washing hands. Observed employee came from outside and start touching the tong in the cook line without washing his hands. Employee was coached and washed his hands correctly.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed old debris on can opener.
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Missing inside employee restroom lower level. Station was restocked.
No proof of required state approved employee training provided for employee hired more than 60 days ago. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. Missing certificates for 2 employees : Martin and Leandro working in the establishment for more than 60 days.
Clean glasses, cups, bowls, plates, pots and pans not stored inverted or in a protected manner. Observed pots and pans not inverted on rack. Employee inverted them.
Water leaking from pipe and/or faucet/handle. Observed a leak from dishwasher machine pipe.
Aug 4, 2025□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority1 Intermediate0 Basic
Show 1 finding ▾
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Observed cooked pasta from 7/24.
Jul 28, 2025Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 14 recorded, 5 high priority.
5 High priority4 Intermediate5 Basic
Show 14 findings ▾
Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within 6 hours. Observed caramelized onions at 60 F inside cooler. As per cook, the caramelized onions were cooked yesterday 7/27.
Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food. Observed employee came from outside and put the gloves on to start working with food. Employee was coached and washed her hands correctly.
Food with mold-like growth. See stop sale. Observed Parmesan cheese with mold like substance on it. Cheese was discarded.
Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Observed raw chicken above raw fish inside reach in freezer located in front of the prep line. Employee inverted the products.
Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Observed caramelized onions at 60 F inside cooler. As per cook, the caramelized onions were cooked yesterday 7/27.
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed hand sink used to discard ice.
No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. Missing quat test kit to check sanitizer solution at the 3 compartment sink.
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Missing paper at the dispenser located next to 3 compartment sink.
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Observed cooked pasta from 7/24.
Clean glasses, cups, bowls, plates, pots and pans not stored inverted or in a protected manner. Observed clean pots and pans to inverted on shelves. Manager inverted them.
In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Observed tongs on oven handle.
Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning.
Time/temperature control for safety food not maintained frozen solid in a freezer. Observed shrimp (32F - Cold Holding); chicken (37F - Cold Holding); cooked eggplant (37F - Cold Holding) inside reach in freezer located.
Water leaking from pipe and/or faucet/handle. Observed water leaking underneath the 3 compartment sink.
Mar 6, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 7 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority2 Intermediate5 Basic
Show 7 findings ▾
No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. Missing quaternary test kit to check sanitizing concentration.
No measuring device available for measuring utensil surface temperature when using hot water as sanitizer in a dishmachine.
Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Observed employee engaged in food preparation without hair restraint.
Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning. Observed old sticker stocked on clean container. Employee removed it immediately.
Ripped/worn tin foil used as shelf cover. Observed under prep table.
Water leaking from pipe and/or faucet/handle. Observed leak underneath the 3 compartment sink.
Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry.
Nov 18, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 7 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
2 High priority4 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 7 findings ▾
Employee touched soiled surface and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Observed employee touching the stair railing,went back to prep area and continued working with food without washing hands and changing gloves. Employee was instructed and conducted the correct procedure.
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw chicken above cooked pasta inside reach in cooler located in front of the cook line. Chef inverted them.
Menu does not identify which items contain raw or undercooked animal foods covered by the consumer advisory. Mani ceviche not identified as raw item. Employee corrected the menu while I was inspected the restaurant.
No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. Missing quat test kit to check sanitizer at the 3CS.
No measuring device available for measuring utensil surface temperature when using hot water as sanitizer in a dishmachine. Missing device to check hot temperature used as way to sanitize.
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Kitchen station. Employee restocked the station.
Ice scoop handle in contact with ice. Observed handle touching the ice. Employee corrected the issue.
Apr 15, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 3 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority1 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 3 findings ▾
No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. No test strips to check sanitizer solution.
Covered waste receptacle not provided in women's bathroom. Missing cover for trash container in the employee unisex restroom.
Lights in food preparation, food storage or warewashing area missing the proper shield, sleeve coatings or covers. Observed missing covers for lights in the storage area.
Nov 29, 2023Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Nothing was found. The inspector recorded no violations at all.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Oct 6, 2023□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
1 High priority4 Intermediate5 Basic
Show 10 findings ▾
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Observed establishment is open to the public with an expired license.. License was paid.
Chemical test kit not used to ensure proper sanitization of equipment and utensils when using a chemical sanitizer. Quat test kit not used to check as evidence of sealed test kit. Chef opened the test kit and check the sanitizer concentration.
Manager or person in charge lacking proof of food manager certification.
No plan review submitted and approved. Must submit plans and plan review application to DBPR H and R Plan Review office located at 2601 Blair Stone Rd., Tallahassee, FL 32399-1011. Plans must be submitted AND approved within 60 days. The direct link to the Plan Review page is https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/hotels-restaurants/licensing/plan-review/. Plans need to be submitted to update the license.
No proof of required state approved employee training provided for any employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233.
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Employee started cleaning the machine.
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 commercially packaged fish already thawed inside the sealed vacuum package. Chef opened the bags.
Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Observed employees engaged in food preparation without hair restrain.
Establishment did not report seating change that affects the license fee, Clean Indoor Air Act, sewage system approval or other related requirements. Observed 114 seats combining the total of seats inside the 3 rooms used as dining areas.
In-use wiping cloth/towel used under cutting board. Observed towel under cutting board. Chef removed it immediately.
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.