Dolce Vita (1696 Comm. Ave.)

1696 Commonwealth Av, Brighton, MA 02135

Italian

Last inspected: Feb 27, 2026

100

Score

Low Risk

Dolce Vita (1696 Comm. Ave.) appears in inspection records nine times, starting in 2022. Dolce Vita (1696 Comm. Ave.) was last inspected on Feb 27, 2026. Diners can read the low risk label as a sign that recent inspections have gone well.

The picture has gotten worse over the last few visits, with the average climbing from around one violation to closer to three violations.

The pattern that stands out is “backflow prevention”, which has been cited two times.

Among Brighton restaurants, the typical score is 88; Dolce Vita (1696 Comm. Ave.) is comfortably above that bar. Taken together, the history looks like that of a busy facility working through the usual inspection cycle.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

Feb 27, 2026

Routine

No violations found.

100

Nov 20, 2025

Routine

1 critical violation.

View 1 violation

Backflow prevention (p)

Inspector notes: At the prep sink per the person in charge they do wash produce in there is a direct connection between the sewage system and the prep sink. Have a licensed plumber pull proper permits and install an air gap at the prep sink.

590.005/5-402.11-P

Oct 9, 2025

Routine

3 critical violations. 2 major violations. 3 minor violations.

View 8 violations

Backflow prevention (p)

590.005/5-402.11-P

Restricted use pesticides criteria (p)

Inspector notes: Observed an opened bag of consumer rodent poison in the mop closet that the person in charge states they use in the basement as a preventative measure against rodents. Only pesticides provided by a licensed pest control operator that is applied by them may be used in a food establishment.

590.007/7-206.11-P

(a)(2) and (b) time/temperature control for safety food hot and cold holding (p)

Inspector notes: In the front pastry cooler raw shell eggs were 47F-55F; the person in charge states they were put in the cooler around 11am. The health inspector had to take corrective action and instruct the employees to place the eggs in a mechanical refrigeration unit that was working. Store raw shell eggs at or below 45F.

590.003/3-501.16-P

(a)-(p) person-in-charge-duties (pf)

Inspector notes: Person in charge could not answer questions regarding the minimum cooking temperatures of chicken or eggs cooked for immediate serving which is the only raw proteins they serve; the person in charge could not explain how to properly cool foods to safe temperatures after cooking; the person in charge could not name symptoms or illnesses that would require reporting. A person in charge must be knowlegable about food safety and employee health and be able to take active managerial control to take corrective actions.

590.002(D)/2-103.11-PF

Controlling pests (pf)

Inspector notes: Observed small dark rodent droppings on the stairs leading to the basement and around a plate on the floor of the basement that had rodent bait or food on it. Clean and sanitize the stairs and floors where droppings are present. Provide IPM pest reports to damien.yee@boston.gov

590.006/6-501.111-PF

Toilet rooms enclosed (c)

Inspector notes: The door to the toilet room is not self closing; repair to make self closing.

590.006/6-202.14-C

(b) and (c) equipment food-contact surfaces nonfood-contact surfaces and utensils (c)

Inspector notes: The nozzles and the surrounding area of the espresso machine are encrusted with soils / the interior of the ice machine on the first floor has black slime; clean and sanitize of soils.

590.004/4-601.11-C

Temperature measuring devices-functionality (c)

Inspector notes: In the glass pastry coolers there are no internal thermometers; in the white residential coolers on the first floor and in the basement there are no internal thermometers; provide and place in a conspicuous location.

590.004/4-204.112-C

Apr 7, 2025

Routine

1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 1 minor violation.

View 3 violations

Ice used as exterior coolant prohibited as ingredient (p)

Inspector notes: Milk and other dairy stored in ice machine. Discontinue storing dairy in ice machine with ice used for beverage ice. Corrected on site.

590.003/3-303.11-P

(a) equipment food-contact surfaces nonfood-contact surfaces and utensils (pf)

Inspector notes: Interior of ice machine with black mold-like substance. Clean and sanitize.

590.004/4-601.11-PF

Cleaning ventilation systems nuisance and discharge prohibition (c)

Inspector notes: Hood sticker expired. Provide cleaning date.

590.006/6-501.14-C

Jul 1, 2024

Routine

No violations found.

100

Nov 28, 2023

Routine

No violations found.

100

Jun 8, 2023

Routine

1 minor violation.

View 1 violation

(a) and (c) equipment utensils linens and single-service and single-use articles-storing (c)

Inspector notes: Some boxes with take out containers stored on the floor. Elevate properly.

590.004/4-903.11-C

Nov 21, 2022

Routine

2 minor violations.

View 2 violations

(a) and (c) equipment utensils linens and single-service and single-use articles-storing (c)

Inspector notes: Some containers for take-out products stored on the floor. Elevate properly.

590.004/4-903.11-C

Food storage-preventing contamination from the premises (c)

Inspector notes: Some food products stored on the floor at prep area. Elevate properly.

590.003/3-305.11-C

May 3, 2022

Routine

3 minor violations.

View 3 violations

(a) and (c) equipment utensils linens and single-service and single-use articles-storing (c)

Inspector notes: Boxes with take out containers stored on the floor at prep area. Elevate properly.

590.004/4-903.11-C

Cutting surfaces (c)

Inspector notes: Cutting board at serving line heavily scored. Resurface or replace.

590.004/4-501.12-C

Food storage-preventing contamination from the premises (c)

Inspector notes: Some boxes with food items stored on the floor. Elevate properly.

590.003/3-305.11-C

Show all 9 inspections Show less

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Dolce Vita (1696 Comm. Ave.) last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Dolce Vita (1696 Comm. Ave.) on file is from Feb 27, 2026. The public record contains nine inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Dolce Vita (1696 Comm. Ave.)?

Across the inspection record, “backflow prevention” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at Dolce Vita (1696 Comm. Ave.).

How does Dolce Vita (1696 Comm. Ave.) compare to other restaurants in Brighton?

Dolce Vita (1696 Comm. Ave.) most recently scored 100 out of 100, which is higher than the Brighton average of 88.

Has Dolce Vita (1696 Comm. Ave.)'s inspection record improved over time?

No. Recent inspections at Dolce Vita (1696 Comm. Ave.) have averaged around three violations per visit, up from roughly one earlier in the record.

What does a low risk rating mean?

A low risk rating at Dolce Vita (1696 Comm. Ave.) means inspectors found minimal or no significant issues at the most recent visit. Most facilities at this tier have a clean recent inspection report.

How often is Dolce Vita (1696 Comm. Ave.) inspected?

Based on the inspection history on file, Dolce Vita (1696 Comm. Ave.) is inspected around two times per year on average.

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