Ventura's Italian Kitchen and Wine Bar
Last inspected: Apr 8, 2026
90
Score
The health department has logged 10 inspections at Ventura's Italian Kitchen and Wine Bar, the earliest from 2022. The newest entry in the record is dated Apr 8, 2026. Diners can read the low risk label as a sign that recent inspections have gone well.
There hasn't been much movement either way: counts have stayed near six violations per visit across recent inspections.
Looking across the full record, “accumulation of black/green mold-like substance” is the recurring theme, flagged three times.
That puts the facility ahead of the local pack: the average Longboat Key restaurant scores 81. Overall, the inspection record reads well.
10
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
2
Minor latest
Inspection History
Apr 8, 2026
Routine - Food
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Basic - Ice scoop handle in contact with ice. Observed ice scoop handle in ice. Operator moved handle above ice. **Corrected On-Site**
10-08-5
Basic - Light shield damaged/in disrepair. Observed damaged light shield in kitchen.
38-01-4
90
Sep 25, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 6 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Container of medicine improperly stored. Observed Tylenol on shelf in kitchen on coffee area shelf. Operator moved Tylenol to first aide box. **Corrected On-Site**
41-07-4
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed solo cup being used to dispense Parmesan cheese in salad area. Operator removed solo cup. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
14-01-5
Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Observed 3 floor tiles missing at kitchen exit door.
36-17-5
Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed fryer oil on floor across from floor mixer. Operator moved oil off the floor. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-38-4
Basic - Hole in or other damage to wall. Observed hole 12" x 6" in wall next to soda dispenser in server area.
36-24-5
Basic - In-use knife/knives stored in cracks between pieces of equipment. Observed knife in crack between equipment. Operator removed knife. **Corrected On-Site**
10-17-4
Basic - Outer openings not protected with self-closing doors. Observed exit door from kitchen without a self closer.
35B-03-4
64
Apr 30, 2025
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food marked with a date that exceeds 7 days after opening/preparation. Observed veal cutlets in reach in cooler next to handwashing sink at the end of the cook line dated 4/19/25. Operator voluntarily discarded product. **Corrected On-Site**
02C-01-5
High Priority - Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. Observed veal cutlets in reach in cooler next to handwashing sink at the end of the cook line dated 4/19/25. Operator voluntarily discarded product. **Corrected On-Site**
01B-13-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed slicer with build up of food debris. Operator started cleaning slicer. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation**
22-02-4
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Observed black mold like substance in ice machine in server area. Operator cleaned and sanitized area. **Corrected On-Site**
22-20-5
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed solo cup being used to dispense Parmesan. Operator removed solo cup. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
14-01-5
Basic - No conspicuously located ambient air temperature thermometer in holding unit. Observed no ambient thermometer in single door reach-in cooler next to handwashing sink at wash sink at end of the cook line. Operator placed ambient thermometer in holding unit. **Corrected On-Site**
05-09-4
58
Feb 5, 2025
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 7 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Proper Eating, Tasting, Drinking, or Tobacco Use
FL-06
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Equipment Adequate to Maintain Product Temperature
FL-29
Proper Sanitizer Contact Time and Concentration
FL-33
Equipment, Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Approved
FL-35
Food Temperature Measuring Devices Provided and Accurate
FL-46
64
Jun 4, 2024
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 1 major violation. 7 minor violations.
View 11 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed in the walk in cooler: Shredded cheese (50F - Cold Holding); Milk (49F - Cold Holding). Operator stated they had a recent shipment and left the door open for approximately 1hr, 1hr before inspection. Operator turned down the cooler. **Corrective Action Taken**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed to the right of the cook line: Meat Sauce (74F - Hot Holding). Operator stated it had been out for approximately 1hr. Operator placed item in a pot and placed on the flattop to reheat. **Corrective Action Taken**
03B-01-6
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Observed a chemical spray bottle stored above potato's in the kitchen. Operator removed the bottle. **Corrected On-Site**
41-10-4
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Observed no paper towels for the warewashing hand wash sink. Operator put more towels there. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-02-4
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Observed black build up on the ice machine.
22-20-5
Basic - Accumulation of debris on exterior of warewashing machine. Observed debris build up on the top of the dish machine.
16-21-4
Basic - Dumpster rusted out on bottom. Observed the middle community dumpster rusted out at the front.
33-12-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Observed multiple open employee water bottles on the back prep table. Operator removed the drinks. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the employee. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
12B-07-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed an employee bag stored on top of clean dishes. Operator removed the bag. **Corrected On-Site**
40-06-5
Basic - Stored food not covered. Observed a container of ice cream in the reach in freezer not covered. Operator cover the ice cream. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-12-5
Basic - Unclean building components, attachments or fixtures. Observed dust build up on the walk in cooler fan cover. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the employee. **Repeat Violation**
36-50-4
41
Apr 3, 2024
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Apr 2, 2024
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Food Obtained from Approved Sources
FL-11
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Potentially Hazardous Food Held at Proper Temperature
FL-16
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Proper Sanitizer Contact Time and Concentration
FL-33
Equipment, Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Approved
FL-35
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
45
Dec 14, 2023
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 6 minor violations.
View 9 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 cleaned and washed their hands. **Corrective Action Taken**
12A-29-4
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Spray bottle containing oven cleaner stored next to the food on a preparation table in the kitchen. Employee removed the bottles. **Corrected On-Site**
41-10-4
High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license.
50-17-3
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine. Employee cleaned the ice machine. **Corrected On-Site**
22-20-5
Basic - Accumulation of debris inside warewashing machine.
16-03-4
Basic - Clean equipment/dishware/utensils stored next to handwash/food preparation sink exposed to splash. Clean pans stored next to the hand washing sink to the right of the cook line. Employee removed the pans. **Corrected On-Site**
24-27-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employees phone stored on a preparation table on the cook line. Employee removed the phone. **Corrected On-Site**
40-06-5
Basic - Ten (10) foot-candles of light at least 30 inches from floor not provided in walk-in cooler.
38-04-4
Basic - Walk-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface.
14-17-4
47
Jun 26, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Food Obtained from Approved Sources
FL-11
Equipment Adequate to Maintain Product Temperature
FL-29
Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Designed and Constructed
FL-50
58
Oct 6, 2022
Food-Licensing Inspection
1 critical violation. 3 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Equipment Adequate to Maintain Product Temperature
FL-29
Equipment, Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Approved
FL-35
74
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Ventura's Italian Kitchen and Wine Bar last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Ventura's Italian Kitchen and Wine Bar on file is from Apr 8, 2026. The public record contains 10 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Ventura's Italian Kitchen and Wine Bar?
Across the inspection record, “accumulation of black/green mold-like substance” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Ventura's Italian Kitchen and Wine Bar.
How does Ventura's Italian Kitchen and Wine Bar compare to other restaurants in Longboat Key?
Ventura's Italian Kitchen and Wine Bar most recently scored 90 out of 100, which is higher than the Longboat Key average of 81.
Has Ventura's Italian Kitchen and Wine Bar's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Ventura's Italian Kitchen and Wine Bar have averaged around six violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Ventura's Italian Kitchen and Wine Bar 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 Ventura's Italian Kitchen and Wine Bar inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Ventura's Italian Kitchen and Wine Bar is inspected around three times per year on average.
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