Bar Italia

6568 University Pky, Sarasota, FL 34240
Italian
Last inspected: Apr 14, 2026
50
Score
High Risk

Bar Italia has been inspected eight times since 2024. The latest inspection on file is from Apr 14, 2026. The high risk label is a heads-up that the most recent visit didn't go well.

Recent visits have produced comparable findings, with counts hovering near four violations per visit.

“Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease” accounts for the largest share of issues, appearing two times across the record.

Bar Italia's latest score of 50 falls below the Sarasota average of 81. This restaurant has more on its record than most do.

8
Inspections
3
Critical latest
1
Major latest
3
Minor latest
Inspection History
Apr 14, 2026
Complaint Full
3 critical violations. 1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - 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. Instructed them to use their triple sink for sanitizing. **Warning**
22-41-4
High Priority - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food marked with a date that exceeds 7 days after opening/preparation. Observed cooked vegetables dated more than 7 days in the walk in cooler. Operator willingly disposed of the product. **Warning**
02C-01-5
High Priority - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food not consumed/sold within 7 days after opening/preparation. See stop sale. Observed cooked vegetables dated more than 7 days in the walk in cooler. Operator willingly disposed of the product. **Warning**
01B-24-5
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Observed cooked beef not labeled in the walk in cooler. Operator stated it was either made yesterday or the day before. Operator labeled it as the day before. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
02C-02-5
Basic - Wiping cloth quaternary ammonium compound sanitizing solution not at proper minimum strength. Observed their sanitizer buckets at 0ppm quaternary. Operator remade them to 200ppm. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
21-08-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed their can opener holder soiled. **Warning**
23-03-4
Basic - Storage of maintenance equipment/tools in areas that may result in cross contamination of food, equipment, utensils, linens and/or single-service and single-use articles. Observed a power tool battery charger stored on the back prep table. Operator removed it. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
42-03-5
50
Nov 3, 2025
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 5 violations
High Priority - Employee touched bare body part and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Observed an employee wipe their nose and then handle a utensil without washing their hands. Operator had them wash their hands and put on gloves. **Corrected On-Site**
12A-10-4
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed stored above the fill line on the cook line and observed standing on top of ice instead of surrounded by it: Mozzarella (56F - Cold Holding); Prosciutto (58F - Cold Holding). Operator stated they had been out for approximately 3hrs. Operator took half of the mozzarella and placed it into the reach in cooler and operator surrounded the prosciutto with ice. **Corrective Action Taken**
03A-02-5
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed food debris build up on their can opener.
22-02-4
Basic - Wiping cloth quaternary ammonium compound sanitizing solution not at proper minimum strength. Observed their sanitizer buckets at 100ppm quaternary. Operator remade them to 200ppm. **Corrected On-Site**
21-08-4
Basic - Employee personal food not properly identified and segregated from food to be served to the public. Observed an employee lunch box stored above wines in a reach in cooler. Operator removed them. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-49-4
61
Aug 7, 2025
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Jul 30, 2025
Routine - Food
5 critical violations. 1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Employee used the bathroom and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands upon returning to employee area. Observed an employee leave the restroom and then handle utensils without washing their hands a second time. Reviewed proper procedures with the operator. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
12A-11-4
High Priority - Heat strip failed to turn black to indicate the sanitization temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit was achieved on the dish surface and/or high temperature holding thermometer did not reach 160F. Discontinue use of dishmachine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dishmachine is repaired. Observed their dish machine at 115F. Operator called a provider and set up their triple sink to 200ppm quaternary. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
22-57-6
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw ground pork stored over ready to eat prosciutto in the walk in cooler. Operator removed them. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Single-use gloves not changed as needed after changing tasks or when damaged or soiled. Observed an employee wipe his pants with his gloves and handle utensils without changing them. Operator had him change his gloves. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
12A-09-4
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Observed a chemical spray bottle stored next to bottles of olive oil in the kitchen. Operator removed them. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
41-10-4
Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. Observed no test strips for their quaternary triple sink. **Warning**
16-37-1
Basic - Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. Observed multiple to-go containers not inverted in the kitchen. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
25-06-4
41
Feb 26, 2025
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Proper Hot and Cold Holding Temperatures
FL-21
Hot and Cold Water Available; Adequate Pressure
FL-25
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Proper Sanitizer Contact Time and Concentration
FL-33
Wiping Cloths Properly Used and Stored
FL-41
50
Aug 1, 2024
Complaint Full
1 major violation.
View 1 violation
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
90
Jul 30, 2024
Complaint Full
3 critical violations. 4 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 10 violations
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Observed on the cook line,front server line, and bar: Ricotta cheese (52F - Cold Holding); Chicken (47F - Cold Holding); Tuna (47F - Cold Holding); Fish (47F - Cold Holding); Milk (45F - Cold Holding); Chopped tomatoes (50F - Cold Holding), Cheese olives (50F - Cold Holding). Operator stated that the tuna and fish have been out for more than 4hrs while all other products had been out for approximately 2hrs. Operator placed what product they could into the walk in cooler, closed the lids of the make line, and willingly disposed of the tuna and fish. **Warning**
01B-02-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed on the cook line,front server line, and bar: Ricotta cheese (52F - Cold Holding); Chicken (47F - Cold Holding); Tuna (47F - Cold Holding); Fish (47F - Cold Holding); Milk (45F - Cold Holding); Chopped tomatoes (50F - Cold Holding), Cheese olives (50F - Cold Holding). Operator stated that the tuna and fish have been out for more than 4hrs while all other products had been out for approximately 2hrs. Operator placed what product they could into the walk in cooler, closed the lids of the make line, and willingly disposed of the tuna and fish. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Warewashing sanitizing solution exceeding the maximum concentration allowed. Observed the triple sink at 300ppm quaternary. Operator emptied some out and filled it with water to retest at 200ppm. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
41-18-4
Intermediate - Establishment has no written procedures for employees to follow in response to a vomiting or diarrheal event where the vomit or diarrhea is discharged onto surfaces in the establishment. Observed no vomit clean up plan or kit. Emailed the operator a plan. **Warning**
11-27-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Observed the bar hand wash sink blocked by paper products. **Warning**
31A-09-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed the cook line hand wash sink used to fill a container. Instructed the operator on the sinks proper use. **Warning**
31A-11-4
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. Observed no singed agreements. Had the operator sign one and emailed them more copies. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
11-26-1
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Observed drinks stored on prep areas throughout the kitchen. Operator removed some. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
12B-07-4
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Observed an employee cooking on the line with no hair restraint. Operator had them put on a hair net. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
13-03-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed grease build up on the back hood filters. **Warning**
23-03-4
37
Jul 1, 2024
Food-Licensing Inspection
1 critical violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
Equipment Adequate to Maintain Product Temperature
FL-29
Proper Sanitizer Contact Time and Concentration
FL-33
82

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Bar Italia last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Bar Italia on file is from Apr 14, 2026. The public record contains eight inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Bar Italia?

Across the inspection record, “nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at Bar Italia.

How does Bar Italia compare to other restaurants in Sarasota?

Bar Italia most recently scored 50 out of 100, which is lower than the Sarasota average of 81.

Has Bar Italia's inspection record improved over time?

Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Bar Italia have averaged around four violations per visit across the recent record.

What does a high risk rating mean?

A high risk rating at Bar Italia means the most recent inspection flagged either critical violations or a substantial number of smaller ones. Diners may want to read the violation details before deciding to visit.

How often is Bar Italia inspected?

Based on the inspection history on file, Bar Italia is inspected around four times per year on average.