VENTURA'S ITALIAN KITCHEN ON CORTEZ
4805 CORTEZ RD W, Bradenton FL 34210 · 6093353504
Last inspected Jul 21, 2026 · 11 visits since February 2024
APR 24
JAN 25
AUG 25
DEC 25
JUL 26
≈ ERRATIC
5 inspections, swinging between B and F. Consistency is the problem here, not any single visit.
Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. Observed approximately 20 small black flying insects near and on shelf next to dish machine. Observed approximately 15 black flying insects at drain near dish machine.
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Inspection history
11 visits, newest first
Jul 21, 2026□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Jul 13, 2026Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 5 recorded, 2 high priority.
2 High priority0 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 5 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. Observed their dish machine at 0ppm chlorine. Operator called their company.
Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Observed containers of soap stored above canned goods in the hallway. Operator moved the soap.
Cardboard used to line nonfood-contact shelves. Observed cardboard lining one of their shelves on the cook line. Operator removed it.
Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. Observed multiple single service articles not inverted on the cook line. Operator inverted them.
Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Observed them thawing chicken at room temperature. Operator placed it under cold running water.
Dec 2, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 10 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
2 High priority0 Intermediate8 Basic
Show 10 findings ▾
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw chicken over a bucket of pickles in walk-in cooler. Operator moved pickles to different shelf.
Time/temperature control for safety food identified in the written procedure as a food held using time as a public health control has no time marking and the time removed from temperature control cannot be determined. See stop sale. Observed pizza being held on time without a time mark. Operator stated pizza had been there for approximately 2 hours. Operator discarded pizza.
Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed solo cup being used to dispense grated Parmesan cheese in single door flip top make station on front line. Operator removed solo cup.
Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, or warewashing areas. Observed acoustic tiles in kitchen and dish area.
Dead roaches on premises. Observed one dead roach in bar area in back corner between well and beer cooler. Operator removed dead roach and cleaned area.
Employee with no beard guard/restraint while engaging in food preparation. Observed employee engaged in food preparation on cook line without a beard guard.
Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Observed cracked floor tile next floor drain in kitchen beside dish rack.
Food stored on floor. Observed fryer oil in back food storage room being stored on the floor. Operator moved fryer oil off the floor.
In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Observed tongs on equipment oven door handle. Operator removed tongs.
Water leaking from pipe and/or faucet/handle. Observed standing water on floor next to dish machine. Operator stated that a pipe was leaking. Operator stated that a plumber had been called.
Aug 15, 2025□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Aug 7, 2025Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 5 recorded, 2 high priority.
2 High priority1 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 5 findings ▾
Dishmachine not sanitizing properly. Discontinue use of dishmachine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dishmachine is repaired and sanitizing properly. Observed chlorine dis machine at 0ppm. Operator discontinued dish machine for sanitizing and set up 3 compartment sink for sanitizing.
Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Observed bottle of degreaser on Hadley next to cutting boards. Operator removed degreaser and placed in chemical storage area.
No written procedures available for use of time as a public health control to hold time/temperature control for safety food. Observed pizza being held on time without a written plan. E-mailed operator copies of Time as Public Health Control. Operator was on the process of printing and filling out paper work.
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Observed interior of ice machine with black mold like substance. Operator cleaned and sanitized area.
Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler. Observed standing water in the bottom of the 3 door reach-in cooler on cook line.
Jan 17, 2025□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 3 findings ▾
Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Observed cutting board at make station with grooves.
Equipment in poor repair. Observed gaskets on make station reach in cooler with torn soiled gaskets.
Walk-in cooler/freezer shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Observed rusted pitted shelves in walk in cooler.
Jan 16, 2025Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 17 recorded, 5 high priority.
5 High priority1 Intermediate11 Basic
Show 17 findings ▾
Food with mold-like growth. See stop sale. Observed approximately 2lb block of provolone cheese with visible mold in walk in cooler.
Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. Observed approximately 20 small black flying insects near and on shelf next to dish machine. Observed approximately 15 black flying insects at drain near dish machine.
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Observed current license expired. Operator updated license through phone before the end of the inspection. Confirmation #246048932
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw eggs on shelf in walk in cooler over cheeses.
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food marked with a date that exceeds 7 days after opening/preparation. Observed container of chicken date marked from 12/5/24.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed can opener blade with build up food particles.
Ambient air thermometer not located in the coolest part of the hot holding unit. Observed 3 door and 2 door reach in cooler on cook line with out an ambient thermometers.
Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles. Observed all reach in coolers on cook line with food debris and soiled handles.
Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Observed cutting board at make station with grooves.
Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Observed employee engaged in food prep without a hair restraint. Employee put on hair net.
Equipment in poor repair. Observed gaskets on make station reach in cooler with torn soiled gaskets.
Floor area(s) covered with standing water. Observed standing water on floor under dish machine and near floor drain.
Floor not cleaned when the least amount of food is exposed. Observed floors beneath equipment and behind equipment in kitchen with visible soil and food build up.
Food stored on floor. Observed fryer oil in dry storage area stored on floor. Observed flour stored on floor next to pizza ovens. Operator moved all items to shelf.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed stand mixer with food residue and soil.
Walk-in cooler/freezer shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Observed rusted pitted shelves in walk in cooler.
Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Observed breaded chicken in reach in cooler on cook line without a label identifying product.
Apr 18, 2024□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Apr 5, 2024Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 2 recorded, 1 high priority.
1 High priority0 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 2 findings ▾
Dishmachine not sanitizing properly. Discontinue use of dishmachine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dishmachine is repaired and sanitizing properly. Observed dishwasher machine not sanitizing properly. 10ppm. Owner set up three part sink with sanitizer and told not to use dish machine till fixed.
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Observed interior of ice machine with pink slimy buildup. Owner cleaned ice machine.
Feb 9, 2024□ 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 ▾
Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside on South End of building.
Feb 2, 2024Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 6 recorded, 3 high priority.
3 High priority0 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 6 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. Observed in front kitchen area Dishwasher (Chlorine 000ppm) Person in charge called for service and set up 3 compartment sink.
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed in Reach in cooler across from Grill raw Chicken over whole Cream and cheese. Educated Person in charge on safe refrigerator storage and emailed Person in charge a copy of the handout. Person in charge removed raw Chicken.
Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Observed in Reach in cooler across from grill raw Chicken over raw Shrimp. Educated Person in charge on safe refrigerator storage and emailed Person in charge a copy. Person in charge removed raw chicken.
Accumulation of lime scale on the inside of the dishmachine.
Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside on South End of building.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed over fryers and grill hood filters soiled with grease.
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.