ZEN KITCHEN & BAR
6229 GRAND BLVD, New Port Richey FL 34652 · 727-888-1936
Last inspected Apr 23, 2026 · 9 visits since August 2023
MAR 24
DEC 24
MAY 25
DEC 25
APR 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. 1 fly on sushi counter
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Inspection history
9 visits, newest first
Apr 23, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 3 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
2 High priority0 Intermediate1 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 3 findings
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. License expired since 2/1/2026. Open and operating serving food to customers. Operator paid license, Home Screen date changed to 2/1/2027.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. In drop in cooler, expo line - sliced tomatoes (50F - Cold Holding); diced tofu (47F - Cold Holding), in cooler for 1 hour, operator discarded.
Wiping cloth quaternary ammonium compound sanitizing solution not at proper minimum strength. 2 buckets in kitchen and at sushi bar, 0 ppm, corrected to 200 ppm
Dec 19, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 5 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
2 High priority1 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 5 findings ▾
Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. 8 3 oz packages of ahi tuna completely thawed
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. In glass door cooler in bar - cream (44F - Cold Holding), operator discarded.
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Operator filled pan with water at hand wash sink on cook line, disc use of hand wash sink with staff and manager on duty
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. 8 3 oz packages of ahi tuna completely thawed. Discussed proper thawing with manager on duty. See stop sale
In-use wet wiping cloth/towel used under cutting board. On cook line
May 16, 2025Administrative complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 12 violations recorded, 3 high priority.
3 High priority2 Intermediate7 Basic
Show 12 findings ▾
Employee touched face/hair and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Cook put beard guard on then touched clean plates without changing gloves or washing hands, discussed proper hand washing with manager, manager discussed with employee
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Expired 02/01/2025
Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. Tuna in original packaging
Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Items stored in hand sink in sushi bar, items removed
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Hand sink on cook line used to fill container, discussed proper use of hand sink with employee
Accumulation of black/pink mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin.
Clean glasses, cups, bowls, plates, pots and pans not stored inverted or in a protected manner. Ice buckets not inverted
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.3 pieces and 15lbs of tuna in original packaging thawed that states remove from packaging before thawing
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee drink on prep table in sushi bar area next to toaster oven, employee drink removed
Employee with no beard guard/restraint while engaging in food preparation. All employees put beard guards on
Opened employee beverage container in a cold holding unit with food to be served to customers. Open can of Red Bull in cooler in prep area, drink removed from cooler
Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. On cutting board on reach in cooler, wet wiping cloth put in sanitizer bucket
Dec 17, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 4 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
2 High priority0 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 4 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 0ppm corrected to 50 ppm
Employee touching ready-to-eat food with their bare hands - food was not being heated as a sole ingredient to 145 degrees F or immediately added to other ingredients to be cooked/heated to the minimum required temperature to allow bare hand contact. Establishment has no approved Alternative Operating Procedure. Employee picked up shredded carrots with bare hands to top plate
Food stored on floor. Oil on floor of cook line.
Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Squeeze bottles containing food removed from its original container not labeled with common name. Oil
May 28, 2024□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Mar 28, 2024Call Back - Extension given, pendingRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems were not fixed yet and the kitchen was given more time.
0 High priority2 Intermediate0 Basic
Show 2 findings ▾
Identity of food or food product misrepresented. Menu states white tuna, escolar is served raw
Menu does not identify which items contain raw or undercooked animal foods covered by the consumer advisory. Yellowtail, white tuna, not notated as served undercooked
Mar 26, 2024Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 10 recorded, 5 high priority.
5 High priority3 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 10 findings ▾
Employee dried hands on clothes/apron/soiled towel after washing.
Employee touching ready-to-eat food with their bare hands - food was not being heated as a sole ingredient to 145 degrees F or immediately added to other ingredients to be cooked/heated to the minimum required temperature to allow bare hand contact. Establishment has no approved Alternative Operating Procedure. Cook put shredded carrots on plate with bare hands, another cook cut lime with bare hands, discussed proper hand wash sink wash with manager on duty
Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. 1 fly on sushi counter
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. In sushi display case - salmon (45F - Cold Holding); tuna (45F - Cold Holding); yellowtail (45F - Cold Holding), operator moved to walk in cooler, unknown if temperatures were taken today
Warewashing sanitizing solution exceeding the maximum concentration allowed. In 3 compartment sink > 500 ppm, corrected to 400 ppm
Employee washed hands in a sink other than an approved handwash sink. Cook rinsed hands in wok station, dried hands on clothes, discussed proper hand wash with manager on duty
Identity of food or food product misrepresented. Menu states white tuna, escolar is served raw
Menu does not identify which items contain raw or undercooked animal foods covered by the consumer advisory. Yellowtail, white tuna, not notated as served undercooked
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Beverage on prep table in back prep area, operator removed
Food stored on floor. In dry storage area - flour, buckets of soy sauce
Aug 18, 2023□ Call Back - CompliedLicensing Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Aug 10, 2023Warning IssuedLicensing Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 2 recorded, 1 high priority.
1 High priority1 Intermediate0 Basic
Show 2 findings ▾
Establishment operating without a license from the Division of Hotels and Restaurants. Operator must obtain a public food service license from the Division of Hotels and Restaurants within 60 days. Submit a license application and payment to DBPR/Bureau of Central Intake Unit, 2601 Blair Stone Rd., Tallahassee, FL 32399-0783. To apply online or obtain an application for license visit http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/
No plan review submitted and approved - renovations were made or are in progress. 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/. Multiple changes have been made, plans on file do not match what is seen in establishment, coffee station removed and cold and hot holding units put in place of them, hand sinks moved behind sushi bar, rice cooker added in sushi bar, sink and ice bin moved in bar area
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.