Ama La Vita
Last inspected: Mar 25, 2026
61
Score
Ama La Vita has been inspected 11 times since 2022. The most recent visit was on Mar 25, 2026. A medium risk rating points to a few notable findings at the last inspection, though nothing severe.
Recent inspections have turned up roughly the same number of issues each time, hovering near four violations per visit.
Looking across the full record, “handwash sink not accessible for employee use” is the recurring theme, flagged two times.
That's lower than the typical Sarasota restaurant, which scores around 81. The full record sits in fairly typical territory for a working restaurant.
11
Inspections
1
Critical latest
3
Major latest
1
Minor latest
Inspection History
Mar 25, 2026
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 5 violations
High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from one another based upon minimum required cooking temperature when stored in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. Raw chicken removed from the commercial packaging stored over raw beef in the stand up reach in freezer in the back kitchen area. Owner placed the chicken below the beef. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-17-6
Intermediate - Employee washed hands in a sink other than an approved handwash sink. Employee washed their hands in a three compartment sink. Employee was informed and properly washed their hands in a a hand wash sink. **Corrective Action Taken**
12A-03-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Sanitizer bucket stored in the hand wash sink next to the three compartment sink. Owner removed the bucket. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
31A-09-4
Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. No quaternary test kit for the sanitizer buckets. **Repeat Violation**
16-37-1
Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Interior of the microwave on the left side of the cook line soiled. Employee cleaned the microwave. **Corrected On-Site**
22-08-4
61
Dec 12, 2025
Complaint Partial
1 major violation.
View 1 violation
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Hand wash sink in the front counter pizza make area block by a preparation table. Owner was informed and removed the preparation table. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-09-4
90
Oct 30, 2025
Complaint Full
3 critical violations. 1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 5 violations
High Priority - Non-food grade paper/paper towel used as liner for food container. Paper towel in direct contact with fresh herbs in a pan on the cook line reach in cooler. Employee removed the paper towel. **Corrected On-Site**
14-86-1
High Priority - Food-contact surfaces not sanitized after cleaning, before use. Do not use equipment/utensils not properly sanitized. Employee used a soiled towel to wipe a knife on the cook line. Employee removed and sanitized the knife. **Corrected On-Site**
22-45-4
High Priority - Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food. Employee handled raw veal, changed their gloves and handled clean equipment without washed their hands. Employee removed the equipment to be sanitized and washed their hands and changed gloves. **Corrective Action Taken**
12A-07-5
Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. No chlorine test kits for the dish machine.
16-37-1
Basic - Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Walls in the dishwasher area soiled.
36-27-5
55
Sep 4, 2025
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 1 minor violation.
View 5 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw shell eggs stored over ready to eat artichoke harts in the reach in cooler on the cook line. Employees removed the eggs. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Server handled soiled dishes or utensils and then picked up plated food, served food, or prepared a beverage without washing hands. Server handled dirty dishes the began to prepare a beverage without washing their hands. Server removed the glass to be sanitized and washed their hands. **Corrective Action Taken**
12A-02-4
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Spray bottle containing cleaning fluid stored next to pizza boxes in the pizza make area. Owner removed the bottle. **Corrected On-Site**
41-10-4
High Priority - Non-food grade paper/paper towel used as liner for food container. Non food grade paper towels lining a pan of cooked eggplant. Employee removed the paper towels. **Corrected On-Site**
14-86-1
Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. In use tongs stored on oven handles on the cook line. Employee removed the tongs. **Corrected On-Site**
10-20-4
52
May 22, 2025
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Mar 18, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 5 violations
High Priority - 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 sanitized and washed their hands. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
12A-29-4
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Spray bottles containing cleaning fluid not labeled. Employee labeled the bottles. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
41-17-4
Intermediate - 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. **Warning**
53B-01-5
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Lasagna stored in the reach in cooler on the cook line with no date mark. Chef stated the lasagna was prepared on 3/16. Employee placed a date mark on the lasagna. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
02C-02-5
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employee phone stored on a shelf next to food in the preparation area. Employee removed the phone. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
40-06-5
61
Dec 5, 2024
Food-Licensing Inspection
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
95
Apr 11, 2024
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 2 minor violations.
View 5 violations
High Priority - Fish not held frozen before, during and after being packaged onsite using a reduced oxygen packaging method. See stop sale. Thawed flounder stored in a reduced oxygen packaging in the walk-in cooler. Owner discarded the flounder.
03G-04-5
High Priority - Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. Thawed flounder stored in a reduced oxygen packaging in the walk-in cooler. Owner discarded the flounder.
01B-13-4
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. WD-40 stored next to single service items in the expo area. Chef removed the WD-40. **Corrected On-Site**
41-10-4
Basic - Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Wall in the dishwasher area soiled beside the sprayer hose soiled.
36-27-5
Basic - In-use ice scoop stored on soiled surface between uses. Ice scoop stored in a soiled holder. Chef removed and sanitized the scoop and the holder. **Corrected On-Site**
10-12-5
58
Nov 3, 2023
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 3 violations
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Slicer blade soiled.
22-02-4
Intermediate - 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. handouts to the operator. Operator filled out 1 form before the end of the inspection **Corrective Action Taken**
11-26-1
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Shelves next to the cook line soiled.
23-03-4
78
Jun 14, 2023
Routine - Food
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
90
Dec 15, 2022
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Mixer head soiled.
22-02-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Exterior door of the walk-in cooler soiled.
23-03-4
86
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Ama La Vita last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Ama La Vita on file is from Mar 25, 2026. The public record contains 11 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Ama La Vita?
Across the inspection record, “handwash sink not accessible for employee use” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at Ama La Vita.
How does Ama La Vita compare to other restaurants in Sarasota?
Ama La Vita most recently scored 61 out of 100, which is lower than the Sarasota average of 81.
Has Ama La Vita's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Ama La Vita have averaged around four violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Ama La Vita means the most recent inspection turned up a handful of issues that the health department wrote up but did not classify as critical.
How often is Ama La Vita inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Ama La Vita is inspected around three times per year on average.
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