ZEST KITCHEN AND BAR
1347 ST LUCIE WEST BLVD, Port St Lucie FL 34986
Last inspected Mar 17, 2026 · 10 visits since October 2023
NOV 24
DEC 24
JUN 25
SEP 25
MAR 26
≈ ERRATIC
5 inspections, swinging between B and D. Consistency is the problem here, not any single visit.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Sour cream in wait staff cooler 46F. Manager discarded.
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Inspection history
10 visits, newest first
Mar 17, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 7 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority2 Intermediate4 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 7 findingsThe state's own report →
Vacuum breaker missing at mop sink faucet or on fitting/splitter added to mop sink faucet.
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Ice in sink. Education provided.
mussel tag not marked with last date served. Education provided.
1 Dead roaches on premises. In front of walk in cooler. Manager removed.
Show the remaining 3 findings ▾
Bathroom located inside establishment not completely enclosed with tight-fitting, self-closing doors. Women's/ employee. Per manager, a work order is in place.
Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris on cook line. Employee cleaned.
Unwashed fruits/vegetables stored with ready-to-eat food. Avocado with sticker. Educated staff. Employee removed.
Sep 29, 2025□ Call Back - CompliedComplaint Investigation
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
1 High priority1 Intermediate4 Basic
Show 6 findings ▾
Vacuum breaker missing at mop sink faucet or on fitting/splitter added to mop sink faucet.
Food manager certification expired. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/ For D.C and S.C.
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin.
Equipment in poor repair. Gasket for walk in freezer.
Floor area(s) covered with standing water. In front of walk in freezer.
Ice buildup in walk-in freezer.
Sep 29, 2025Warning IssuedComplaint Investigation
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 14 recorded, 3 high priority.
3 High priority3 Intermediate8 Basic
Show 14 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. Found at 25 ppm. Reran and primed and still found at 25ppm.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Half and half 46F cold holding at bar. Advised to cool down. Per manager, was in and out of cooler.
Vacuum breaker missing at mop sink faucet or on fitting/splitter added to mop sink faucet.
Employee has not received adequate training related to their assigned duties as evidenced by the inability to answer basic food safety questions. Dish washer employee unable to tell Inspector how and when to check if dish washer is sanitizing properly. Cook translated between Inspector and employee. Cook educated.
Food manager certification expired. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/ For D.C and S.C.
Menu does not identify which items contain raw or undercooked animal foods covered by the consumer advisory. Ahi Tuna on today's special menu. Assistant manager printed new menus.
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin.
Bathroom located inside establishment not completely enclosed with tight-fitting, self-closing doors. Women's.
Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Plastic container with no handle in panko. Manager removed.
Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Cell phone next to slicer. Removed by owner of cell phone.
Equipment in poor repair. Gasket for walk in freezer.
Floor area(s) covered with standing water. In front of walk in freezer.
Ice buildup in walk-in freezer.
No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Next to bar. Manager posted sign.
Jun 11, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 11 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority0 Intermediate10 Basic
Show 11 findings ▾
Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. ROP Fish sea bass and tuna.
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin.
Both Bathroom located inside establishment not completely enclosed with tight-fitting, self-closing doors.
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 tuna and 6 sea bass. Education provided.
Cove molding at floor/wall juncture broken/missing. Near stove.
Dishmachine not washing/rinsing properly. Must wash, rinse and sanitize all dishware, equipment and utensils in three-compartment sink until dishmachine is functioning properly. Ran and primed 3x. All test found at 0 ppm. Manager will call to get serviced and set up three compartment sink.
Equipment in poor repair. Gasket of walk in freezer door.
Floor area(s) covered with standing water. In front of walk in freezer.
Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hood filters.
Soiled cloths/linen not kept in a suitable container prior to laundering. Employee removed from on top of paper towel dispenser on cooks line.
Dec 27, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionComplaint Investigation
Met inspection standards. 11 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority1 Intermediate10 Basic
Show 11 findings ▾
Commercially processed ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food opened and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked after opening. Half and half. Employee date marked.
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Manager cleaned.
Bathroom located inside establishment not completely enclosed with tight-fitting, self-closing doors. Both employee/guest bathrooms.
Cove molding at floor/wall juncture broken/missing. In kitchen next to stove.
Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. On cook's line.
Equipment in poor repair. Gasket of walk in freezer.
Floor area(s) covered with standing water. In front of walk in freezer.
Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Cracked tile in front of fryer.
Ice buildup in walk-in freezer.
Interior of microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Manager cleaned.
Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler. Next to hand washing sink.
Nov 19, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 15 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority2 Intermediate12 Basic
Show 15 findings ▾
Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. Tuna.
Menu does not identify which items contain raw or undercooked animal foods covered by the consumer advisory. Caesar dressing containing raw egg. All menus have been corrected with asterisk.
Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Clear liquid and brown liquid not labeled.
Bathroom located inside establishment not completely enclosed with tight-fitting, self-closing doors. Women's bathroom.
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. Tuna. Educated.
Cove molding at floor/wall juncture broken/missing. Next to stove.
Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. On Cooks line.
Equipment in poor repair. Gasket of walk in freezer door.
Floor area(s) covered with standing water. In front of walk in freezer.
Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. In front of walk in freezer.
Ice buildup in walk-in freezer.
Interior of microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris.
Soiled dry wiping cloth in use. Found in a clean pan. Informed Cook to place in laundry once soiled.
Stored food not covered. Raw chicken and raw fish in sautéed reach in cooler. Informed Cook to cover once it is not a working cooler. Greens and other items on shelf in walk in cooler.
Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Sauté station.
May 28, 2024□ 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. Grill station
Heavy Ice buildup in walk-in freezer.
Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Sugar and yeast
Apr 15, 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 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 5 findings ▾
No proof of required state approved employee training provided for any employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. Has books
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.
Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Grill station
Heavy Ice buildup in walk-in freezer.
Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Sugar and yeast
Feb 12, 2024Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 13 recorded, 2 high priority.
2 High priority5 Intermediate6 Basic
Show 13 findings ▾
Raw salmon stored over cooked lamb in the walk in cooler.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Sour cream in wait staff cooler 46F. Manager discarded.
Manager or person in charge lacking proof of food manager certification. All they have is when they took test no proof of certification.
Microwave soiled with old food. Slicer guard soiled with old food.
No proof of required state approved employee training provided for any employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. Has books
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.
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Corn beef made Friday. Several food items in the walk in cooler not date marked.
Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Bowl used for panko
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.
Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Grill station
Heavy Ice buildup in walk-in freezer.
No conspicuously located ambient air temperature thermometer in holding unit. In Black reach in cooler at wait station
Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Sugar and yeast
Oct 13, 2023Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 6 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority1 Intermediate5 Basic
Show 6 findings ▾
Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Bottle of degreaser not labeled.
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin.
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Coffee cup over prep table in kitchen.
Food stored on floor. Food stored under walk in freezer shelves. Also, case of oil stored on floor in dry storage.
Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Ice build up on fans in walk in freezer.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Gaskets on cookline
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.