TAVERNA COSTALE
200 CENTRAL AVE STE 165, Saint Petersburg FL 33701 · 727-954-3863
Last inspected Mar 24, 2026 · 8 visits since September 2023
MAR 24
AUG 24
FEB 25
SEP 25
MAR 26
▼ IMPROVING
5 inspections, climbing. The current grade is the best on record.
Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. 1 live fly in bar area not landing on food or food contact surfaces.
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Inspection history
8 visits, newest first
Mar 24, 2026□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Mar 13, 2026Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 3 recorded, 1 high priority.
1 High priority0 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 3 findings ▾
Dishmachine chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength. Discontinue use of dishmachine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dishmachine is repaired and sanitizing properly.
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils.
In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses.
Sep 23, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 12 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
2 High priority4 Intermediate6 Basic
Show 12 findings ▾
Dishmachine chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength. Discontinue use of dishmachine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dishmachine is repaired and sanitizing properly. Chlorine dish machine sanitizer testing at 0 PPM. The person in charge called someone to come service the dish machine during the time of the inspection. The chlorine sanitizer is now testing at 50 ppm.
Warewashing sanitizing solution exceeding the maximum concentration allowed. Three compartment sink quaternary sanitizer testing at 500+ PPM. Quaternary sanitizer was diluted with water and chemical is now testing at 200 PPM.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Reach in deli cooler cutting boards on cook line stained. Food slicer soiled with dried up food debris.
Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Trash can placed in front of hand sink at the entrance of cook line. Inspector. Oven trash to allow access to hand sink.
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Container stored inside handwashing sink at the entrance of cook line. Item removed.
No currently certified food service manager on duty with four or more employees engaged in food preparation/handling. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/ No CFM onsite with with four employees onsite engaging with food or in food preparation. Manager on duty couldn't find access to their certificate.
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Soda dispenser ice bin interior soiled with mold like substance in server wait station. Ice machine interior heavily soiled with black and pink mold like substance.
Accumulation of debris on exterior of warewashing machine.
Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employee back pack and hat hung up on dry storage rack with bottles of sauces. Person in charge moved items to designated area.
Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Single door Alto-Shaam oven and bottom interior of convectional oven soiled with burnt food debris.
Plumbing system in disrepair. Hot water faucet knob at hand sink at entrance of cook line not dispensing hot water.
Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler. Reach in cooler across from hand sink at the end of the cook line.
Apr 21, 2025□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
1 High priority0 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 2 findings ▾
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license.
Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning.
Feb 17, 2025Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 9 recorded, 2 high priority.
2 High priority2 Intermediate5 Basic
Show 9 findings ▾
Dented/rusted cans present. See stop sale. One #10 can artichoke hearts One #10 can tomatoes
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license.
Menu does not identify which items contain raw or undercooked animal foods covered by the consumer advisory. Tuna,eggs,and salmon to temp dishes not marked on menus
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Prep area
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin.
Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items.
Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting.
In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses.
Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning.
Aug 27, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 10 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
2 High priority1 Intermediate7 Basic
Show 10 findings ▾
Dishmachine chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength. Discontinue use of dishmachine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dishmachine is repaired and sanitizing properly. Dish machine sanitizing at 0 ppm chlorine. Employee changed out empty sanitizer bucket. Dish machine is now sanitizing at 100 ppm chlorine.
Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. Pork shanks, 6 bags, held longer than 48 hours. Chicken, 8 bags, held longer than 48 hours.
Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Hand wash sink in kitchen blocked by trash can. Manager removed.
Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Ice buildup in walk in freezer.
In-use knife/knives stored in cracks between pieces of equipment. Knives stored between reach in cooler and wall in rear of kitchen. Manager removed.
In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Tongs stored on oven handle in kitchen. Manager removed.
Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Interior of double door ovens in rear prep area has food debris buildup.
Time/temperature control for safety food packaged using a reduced oxygen method without a HACCP plan not removed from its package within 48 hours after packaging. Pork shanks, 6 bags, held longer than 48 hours. Chicken, 8 bags, held longer than 48 hours. Establishment will not use reduced oxygen packaging until approved HAACP can be implemented.
Water leaking from pipe and/or faucet/handle. Pipe leaking from dish machine.
Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Sugar removed from original container and not labeled in rear prep area. Manager labeled.
Mar 4, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 12 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
2 High priority2 Intermediate8 Basic
Show 12 findings ▾
Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. 1 live fly in bar area not landing on food or food contact surfaces.
Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. 6 filets of swordfish thawed in reduced oxygen packaging.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener on prep table in middle prep area has food debris buildup.
Reduced oxygen packaged food lacking bold type on contrasting background, or other required information. Pork shank vacuum sealed after cooking lacks labeling of item and date.
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Mold like substance on sliding door tracks of ice machine in middle prep area.
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. 6 filets of swordfish thawed in reduced oxygen packaging.
Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed.
Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Ovens on cook line have built up food debris.
Mussels removed from original container for long-term storage without copy of original tag.
No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees at beverage station hand sink.
Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning in middle prep area.
Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Flour and panko removed from original container and not labeled in middle prep area.
Sep 27, 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 10 findings ▾
Employee handled soiled equipment or utensils and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Dishwasher went from dirty plates to clean plates with no hand wash.
Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. 1 live fly in bar area not landing on food or food contact surfaces.
Clams/mussels/oysters tag removed from original container prior to container being emptied. Fresh and fresh mussels are put onto cook line with no tags. Inspector discussed making a copy and keeping that with fresh clams and fresh mussels on cook line with Manager.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener on prep table has built up food debris.
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Hand wash sink n kitchen is used to store lids. Manager removed.
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Door tracks for ice machine have mold like substances.
In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Tongs stored on oven handles in kitchen.
Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Double door ovens in kitchen have built up food debris.
Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. On rear prep table in dry storage area, wet wiping cloth not stored in solution.
Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Container of flour removed from original packaging and not labeled.
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.