La Scala Restaurant
Last inspected: Mar 3, 2026
19
Score
Public records show six inspections at La Scala Restaurant stretching back to 2022. The latest inspection on file is from Mar 3, 2026. A high risk tier suggests the facility had a rough recent inspection, with multiple violations on record.
The picture has gotten worse over the last few visits, with the average climbing from around four violations to closer to 11 violations.
The pattern that stands out is “clam/mussel/oyster tags not marked”, which has been cited five times.
Compared to other Key Biscayne restaurants (averaging 57), there's room to close the gap. This restaurant has more on its record than most do.
6
Inspections
3
Critical latest
7
Major latest
10
Minor latest
Inspection History
Mar 3, 2026
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 7 major violations. 10 minor violations.
View 20 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. Observed not commercially packaged chicken over commercially packaged pasta at white standup RIF. **Warning**
08A-17-6
High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Observed license expired on October 1, 2025. **Admin Complaint**
50-17-3
High Priority - Employee washed hands with cold water. Observed staff washed hands with cold water at HWS at entrance to kitchen. HWS has no hot water. **Warning**
12A-19-4
Intermediate - Clam/mussel/oyster tags not marked with last date served. **Warning**
01C-03-4
Intermediate - Employee has not received adequate training related to their assigned duties as evidenced by the inability to answer basic food safety questions. Observed staff member not knowing minimum concentration of chlorine at dishwasher. Coached staff. **Warning**
53B-16-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Observed HWS blocked by trash bins at entrance to kitchen. **Warning**
31A-09-4
Intermediate - Menu does not identify which items contain raw or undercooked animal foods covered by the consumer advisory. Observed beef carpaccio not identified as raw on the menu. **Warning**
02B-01-5
Intermediate - No probe thermometer provided to measure temperature of food products. **Warning**
05-08-4
Intermediate - No proof of required state approved employee training provided for employee hired more than 60 days ago. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. Observed Jose and Carmen hired over 60 days with no food handlers training. **Warning**
53B-02-5
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. Provided to operator via email. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
11-26-1
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed around hood tiles. **Warning**
36-34-5
Basic - Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed. **Warning**
50-09-4
Basic - No conspicuously located ambient air temperature thermometer in holding unit. Observed at RIC across from cooking range. **Warning**
05-09-4
Basic - No copy of latest inspection report available. **Warning**
51-18-6
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed WIC fan guard soiled. **Warning**
23-03-4
Basic - Plumbing system in disrepair. Observed hot water knob at HWS in disrepair. **Warning**
29-08-4
Basic - Silverware/utensils stored upright with the food-contact surface up. Observed spoons and forks stored with the food-contact surface up. **Warning**
24-18-4
Basic - Walk-in cooler/freezer shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Observed at WIC shelves. **Warning**
14-17-4
Basic - Ceiling tile missing. Observed over 3CS. **Warning**
36-36-4
Basic - Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, or warewashing areas. Observed at kitchen area. **Warning**
36-37-5
19
Feb 6, 2025
Routine - Food
3 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 4 violations
Intermediate - Clam/mussel/oyster tags not marked with last date served. **Repeat Violation**
01C-03-4
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. Provided to operator via email.
11-27-4
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Observed cooked pasta inside walk in cooler no date marked, as per operator for more than 24 hours prior.
02C-02-5
Basic - No Heimlich maneuver/choking sign posted. Provided to operator via email.
51-13-4
70
Dec 20, 2024
Complaint Full
1 critical violation. 4 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 9 violations
High Priority - Employee began working with food, handling clean equipment or utensils, or touching unwrapped single-service items without first washing hands. Coached employee and employee washed hands. **Corrective Action Taken**
12A-16-4
Intermediate - Clam/mussel/oyster tags not marked with last date served. **Repeat Violation**
01C-03-4
Intermediate - Expired chlorine chemical test kit on 2021 provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. **Repeat Violation**
16-37-1
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed cutting boards soiled.
22-02-4
Intermediate - Required employee training expired for some employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. Observed some employee training expired on 2022. **Repeat Violation**
53B-14-5
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. **Repeat Violation**
22-20-5
Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed oil container stored on floor at cook line.
08B-38-4
Basic - Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning. Observed by 3 compartment sink.
16-46-4
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Observed wet wiping cloth throughout preparation tables at cook line.
21-12-4
47
Dec 10, 2024
Routine - Food
3 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 4 violations
Intermediate - Clam/mussel/oyster tags not marked with last date served. **Repeat Violation**
01C-03-4
Intermediate - Expired chlorine chemical test kit on 2021 provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths.
16-37-1
Intermediate - Required employee training expired for some employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. Observed some employee training expired on 2022.
53B-14-5
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin.
22-20-5
70
Apr 11, 2024
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 3 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Operator paid license during inspection. **Admin Complaint**
50-17-3
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw chicken stored over cut calamari in walk in cooler. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
Intermediate - Clam/mussel/oyster tags not marked with last date served.
01C-03-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed 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. Operator had employee reporting agreement in back of food handler book. Operator signed and employees as well during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
11-26-1
Basic - Walk-in cooler/freezer shelves with rust that has pitted the surface.
14-17-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed walk in cooler fan soiled. Observed door handles at walk in cooler soiled.
23-03-4
50
Dec 21, 2022
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation.
View 2 violations
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at mop sink faucet or on fitting/splitter added to mop sink faucet.
29-42-4
Intermediate - Food manager certification expired. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/ Chandra de Silva expired 3-3-2022 **Warning**
53A-03-7
78
Frequently Asked Questions
When was La Scala Restaurant last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at La Scala Restaurant on file is from Mar 3, 2026. The public record contains six inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at La Scala Restaurant?
Across the inspection record, “clam/mussel/oyster tags not marked” has been cited five times, more than any other issue at La Scala Restaurant.
How does La Scala Restaurant compare to other restaurants in Key Biscayne?
La Scala Restaurant most recently scored 19 out of 100, which is lower than the Key Biscayne average of 57.
Has La Scala Restaurant's inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at La Scala Restaurant have averaged around 11 violations per visit, up from roughly four earlier in the record.
What does a high risk rating mean?
A high risk rating at La Scala Restaurant 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 La Scala Restaurant inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, La Scala Restaurant is inspected around two times per year on average.
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