VENTURA'S ITALIAN KITCHEN AND WINE BAR
6814 GULF OF MEXICO DR, Longboat Key FL 34228 · 941-312-4975
Last inspected Apr 8, 2026 · 8 visits since December 2023
JUN 24
FEB 25
APR 25
SEP 25
APR 26
▼ IMPROVING
5 inspections, climbing. The current grade is the best on record.
Rodent activity present as evidenced by rodent droppings found. Observed approximately 20 rodent droppings on the floor of the back dry storage/chemical mop sink area located approximately 10ft from the cooking/food prep area. Operator has called Orkin and has begun to clean the area.
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Disciplinary actions
1 case · $400
| Case | Violation date | Final order | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7--2024020160 | Apr 2, 2024 | May 2, 2024 | $400 |
Inspection history
8 visits, newest first
Apr 8, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 2 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority0 Intermediate2 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 2 findings
Ice scoop handle in contact with ice. Observed ice scoop handle in ice. Operator moved handle above ice.
Light shield damaged/in disrepair. Observed damaged light shield in kitchen.
Sep 25, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 7 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority0 Intermediate6 Basic
Show 7 findings ▾
Container of medicine improperly stored. Observed Tylenol on shelf in kitchen on coffee area shelf. Operator moved Tylenol to first aide box.
Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed solo cup being used to dispense Parmesan cheese in salad area. Operator removed solo cup.
Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Observed 3 floor tiles missing at kitchen exit door.
Food stored on floor. Observed fryer oil on floor across from floor mixer. Operator moved oil off the floor.
Hole in or other damage to wall. Observed hole 12" x 6" in wall next to soda dispenser in server area.
In-use knife/knives stored in cracks between pieces of equipment. Observed knife in crack between equipment. Operator removed knife.
Outer openings not protected with self-closing doors. Observed exit door from kitchen without a self closer.
Apr 30, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 6 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
2 High priority1 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 6 findings ▾
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food marked with a date that exceeds 7 days after opening/preparation. Observed veal cutlets in reach in cooler next to handwashing sink at the end of the cook line dated 4/19/25. Operator voluntarily discarded product.
Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. Observed veal cutlets in reach in cooler next to handwashing sink at the end of the cook line dated 4/19/25. Operator voluntarily discarded product.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed slicer with build up of food debris. Operator started cleaning slicer.
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Observed black mold like substance in ice machine in server area. Operator cleaned and sanitized area.
Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed solo cup being used to dispense Parmesan. Operator removed solo cup.
No conspicuously located ambient air temperature thermometer in holding unit. Observed no ambient thermometer in single door reach-in cooler next to handwashing sink at wash sink at end of the cook line. Operator placed ambient thermometer in holding unit.
Feb 5, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 8 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority1 Intermediate7 Basic
Show 9 findings ▾
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed food slicer with food debris.
Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed solo cups being used to dispense seasonings on dry storage rack next to single door flip top cooler. Operator removed solo cups.
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 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. Operator removed fish from packaging.
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Observed open employee drink on food prep surface. Operator removed drink.
Equipment in poor repair. Observed clear container in dish area cracked.
Open dumpster lid. Observed dumpster lids open on shared dumpster.
Outer openings not protected with self-closing doors. Observed exterior door with broken self closer.
Plumbing system in disrepair. Observed drain pipe beneath hand wash sink next to reach in freezers leaking.
Marked exit/path to marked exit blocked. For reporting purposes only. Observed exit door from kitchen blocked. Operator removed racks and unblocked door.
Jun 4, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 11 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
3 High priority1 Intermediate7 Basic
Show 11 findings ▾
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed in the walk in cooler: Shredded cheese (50F - Cold Holding); Milk (49F - Cold Holding). Operator stated they had a recent shipment and left the door open for approximately 1hr, 1hr before inspection. Operator turned down the cooler.
Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed to the right of the cook line: Meat Sauce (74F - Hot Holding). Operator stated it had been out for approximately 1hr. Operator placed item in a pot and placed on the flattop to reheat.
Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Observed a chemical spray bottle stored above potato's in the kitchen. Operator removed the bottle.
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Observed no paper towels for the warewashing hand wash sink. Operator put more towels there.
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Observed black build up on the ice machine.
Accumulation of debris on exterior of warewashing machine. Observed debris build up on the top of the dish machine.
Dumpster rusted out on bottom. Observed the middle community dumpster rusted out at the front.
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Observed multiple open employee water bottles on the back prep table. Operator removed the drinks. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the employee.
Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed an employee bag stored on top of clean dishes. Operator removed the bag.
Stored food not covered. Observed a container of ice cream in the reach in freezer not covered. Operator cover the ice cream.
Unclean building components, attachments or fixtures. Observed dust build up on the walk in cooler fan cover. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the employee.
Apr 3, 2024□ Emergency Order Callback CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Apr 2, 2024■ Emergency order recommendedRoutine Inspection
Ordered shut on the spot. 10 violations recorded, 2 of them the tier the state says can make you ill. A reinspection is required before this kitchen may reopen.
2 High priority2 Intermediate6 Basic
Show 10 findings ▾
Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Observed raw venison stored over raw fish in the left side make table cooler on the cook line. Operator removed the venison.
Rodent activity present as evidenced by rodent droppings found. Observed approximately 20 rodent droppings on the floor of the back dry storage/chemical mop sink area located approximately 10ft from the cooking/food prep area. Operator has called Orkin and has begun to clean the area.
Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Observed the back cook line hand wash sink with an electrical appliance inside. Operator removed the appliance.
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 only one signed agreement. Emailed operator a copy to print out and have their employees sign.
Accumulation of debris inside warewashing machine. Observer debris build up on the inner door of the warewashing machine. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the employee.
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Observed multiple opened employee drinks on the back prep table.
Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Observed food debris build up under the cook line.
Garbage on the ground and/or pad around dumpster. Observed trash build up on the pad around the dumpster.
Outer openings not protected with self-closing doors. Observed two doors leading outside from the kitchen that are not self closing.
Unclean building components, attachments or fixtures. Observed dust build up on the walk in cooler fan cover.
Dec 14, 2023Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 9 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
3 High priority0 Intermediate6 Basic
Show 9 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. Employee handled their phone then clean equipment without washing their hands. Employee removed the equipment to be cleaned and washed their hands.
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license.
Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Spray bottle containing oven cleaner stored next to the food on a preparation table in the kitchen. Employee removed the bottles.
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine. Employee cleaned the ice machine.
Accumulation of debris inside warewashing machine.
Clean equipment/dishware/utensils stored next to handwash/food preparation sink exposed to splash. Clean pans stored next to the hand washing sink to the right of the cook line. Employee removed the pans.
Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employees phone stored on a preparation table on the cook line. Employee removed the phone.
Ten (10) foot-candles of light at least 30 inches from floor not provided in walk-in cooler.
Walk-in cooler 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.