LA SCALA RESTAURANT
180 CRANDON BLVD STE 109, Key Biscayne FL 33149 · 305-717-8876
Last inspected Jun 2, 2026 · 7 visits since April 2024
DEC 24
DEC 24
FEB 25
MAR 26
JUN 26
≈ ERRATIC
5 inspections, swinging between A and F. Consistency is the problem here, not any single visit.
Employee washed hands with cold water. Observed staff washed hands with cold water at HWS at entrance to kitchen. HWS has no hot water.
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Inspection history
7 visits, newest first
Jun 2, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 12 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority3 Intermediate8 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 12 findingsThe state's own report →
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed clams and raw mussels stored above individual water bottles and other beverages on a shelf inside walk in cooler. Employee rearranged and placed raw items on the bottom shelf.
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. Provided to operator via email.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed near slicer soiled with food debris and also with over amount of grease for the knobs.
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. Provided poster via email and discussed.
Show the remaining 8 findings ▾
Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, or warewashing areas. Observed not smooth ceilings in the kitchen, prep and warewash areas.
Ceiling tile missing. Observed ceiling tile missing over 3CS.
Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed some tiles soiled with water stains on tiles above kitchen and warewah area.
Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Observed for ice chest across dish machine and white upright near prep table.
No Heimlich maneuver/choking sign posted. Provided to operator via email.
No copy of latest inspection report available. Discussed required to provide when consumer ask.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed WIC fan guard soiled.
Walk-in cooler/freezer shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Observed accumulation of rust on one shelf in the WIC.
Jun 2, 2026□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority1 Intermediate5 Basic
Show 6 findings ▾
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. Provided to operator via email.
Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, or warewashing areas. Observed at kitchen area.
Ceiling tile missing. Observed over 3CS.
No copy of latest inspection report available.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed WIC fan guard soiled.
Walk-in cooler/freezer shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Observed at WIC shelves.
Mar 3, 2026Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 20 recorded, 3 high priority.
3 High priority7 Intermediate10 Basic
Show 20 findings ▾
Employee washed hands with cold water. Observed staff washed hands with cold water at HWS at entrance to kitchen. HWS has no hot water.
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Observed license expired on October 1, 2025.
Raw animal foods not properly separated from one another based upon minimum required cooking temperature when stored in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. Observed not commercially packaged chicken over commercially packaged pasta at white standup RIF.
Clam/mussel/oyster tags not marked with last date served.
Employee has not received adequate training related to their assigned duties as evidenced by the inability to answer basic food safety questions. Observed staff member not knowing minimum concentration of chlorine at dishwasher. Coached staff.
Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Observed HWS blocked by trash bins at entrance to kitchen.
Menu does not identify which items contain raw or undercooked animal foods covered by the consumer advisory. Observed beef carpaccio not identified as raw on the menu.
No probe thermometer provided to measure temperature of food products.
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. Observed Jose and Carmen hired over 60 days with no food handlers training.
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. Provided to operator via email.
Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, or warewashing areas. Observed at kitchen area.
Ceiling tile missing. Observed over 3CS.
Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed around hood tiles.
Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed.
No conspicuously located ambient air temperature thermometer in holding unit. Observed at RIC across from cooking range.
No copy of latest inspection report available.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed WIC fan guard soiled.
Plumbing system in disrepair. Observed hot water knob at HWS in disrepair.
Silverware/utensils stored upright with the food-contact surface up. Observed spoons and forks stored with the food-contact surface up.
Walk-in cooler/freezer shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Observed at WIC shelves.
Feb 6, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 4 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority3 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 4 findings ▾
Clam/mussel/oyster tags not marked with last date served.
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. Provided to operator via email.
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Observed cooked pasta inside walk in cooler no date marked, as per operator for more than 24 hours prior.
No Heimlich maneuver/choking sign posted. Provided to operator via email.
Dec 20, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionComplaint Investigation
Met inspection standards. 9 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority4 Intermediate4 Basic
Show 9 findings ▾
Employee began working with food, handling clean equipment or utensils, or touching unwrapped single-service items without first washing hands. Coached employee and employee washed hands.
Clam/mussel/oyster tags not marked with last date served.
Expired chlorine chemical test kit on 2021 provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed cutting boards soiled.
Required employee training expired for some employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. Observed some employee training expired on 2022.
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin.
Food stored on floor. Observed oil container stored on floor at cook line.
Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning. Observed by 3 compartment sink.
Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Observed wet wiping cloth throughout preparation tables at cook line.
Dec 10, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 4 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority3 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 4 findings ▾
Clam/mussel/oyster tags not marked with last date served.
Expired chlorine chemical test kit on 2021 provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths.
Required employee training expired for some employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. Observed some employee training expired on 2022.
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin.
Apr 11, 2024Administrative complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 7 violations recorded, 2 high priority.
2 High priority3 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 7 findings ▾
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Operator paid license during inspection.
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw chicken stored over cut calamari in walk in cooler.
Clam/mussel/oyster tags not marked with last date served.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed slicer blade soiled.
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. Operator had employee reporting agreement in back of food handler book. Operator signed and employees as well during inspection.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed walk in cooler fan soiled. Observed door handles at walk in cooler soiled.
Walk-in cooler/freezer shelves with rust that has pitted the surface.
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.