The Reef
Last inspected: May 22, 2025
78
Score
Going back to 2024, The Reef has four inspections in the public record. The most recent visit was on May 22, 2025. Diners can read the low risk label as a sign that recent inspections have gone well.
Recent inspections show fewer violations than earlier ones, with the latest at four versus 14 before.
The most common issue across all inspections has been food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, showing up five times.
The Reef's latest score of 78 falls below the Newport average of 84. There isn't much in the file that would give a customer pause.
4
Inspections
0
Critical latest
1
Major latest
3
Minor latest
Inspection History
May 22, 2025
Re-Inspection
1 major violation. 3 minor violations. 1 corrected on site.
View 4 violations
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: The hand-washing sink in the kitchen was blocked by a trashcan. A hand-washing sink shall be accessible at all times for employee use. Trashcan was moved during time of inspection.
5-204.11
In-use utensils stored improperly between uses
Inspector notes: Utensils were observed stored in stagnant water between uses. Utensils between use shall be stored in one of the following manners: on a dry clean surface, in water of 135 degrees Fahrenheit or more, or in water with sufficient flow to flush particulates to the drain. Utensils were cleaned and sanitized during the time of inspection.
3-304.12
Outer openings not protected against pests
Inspector notes: The screen door to the outside, located in the back entrance of the kitchen, is not tight-fitting. Outer openings of a food establishment must be protected against the entry of insects and rodents by tight-fitting doors.
6-202.15
Equipment not in good repair or proper adjustment
Inspector notes: Refrigerator door gaskets were observed in poor repair on the following units: -The 2-door low boy by expo -Prep unit #3 -Main walk-in cooler -2-door low boy freezer by fryolator -2-door reach-in Refrigerator door gaskets shall be maintained in good repair.
4-501.11
78
May 8, 2025
Routine
3 critical violations. 12 major violations. 7 minor violations. 13 corrected on site.
View 22 violations
Food-contact surfaces not cleaned and sanitized at required frequency
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Per interview of staff, oyster knives are only washed, rinsed, and sanitized at the end of the day. The surfaces of equipment that contacts time/temperature control for safety (TCS) foods such as molluscan shellfish must be washed, rinsed, and sanitized at least every four hours. Oyster knives were sent to be cleaned and sanitized during time of inspection.
4-602.11
Bare hand contact with ready-to-eat food
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: An employee was observed touching ready to eat food orange slices with bare hands. Food employees must not touch exposed, ready-to-eat food with their bare hands and shall use suitable utensils such as deli tissue, spatulas, single use gloves, or dispensing equipment. Food items were voluntarily disposed of during time of inspection.
3-301.11
Expired or improperly marked ready-to-eat food not discarded
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Containers of bleu cheese used to stuff olives were observed stored in the liquor walk-in cooler past their disposition date. Food items were voluntarily disposed of during time of inspection.
3-501.18
Person in charge not controlling unsafe operations
Inspector notes: The Person in charge did not assure compliance with critical code requirements.
2-103.11
Person in charge not controlling unsafe operations
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: There was no evidence that employees are required to report to the person in charge information about their health (illnesses, symptoms) as they relate to diseases that are transmissible through food. Employee health agreement guidance provided during time of inspection.
2-103.11
No soap available at handwashing sink
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Soap was not available at the hand-washing sinks in the kitchen. Hand-washing sinks must be provided with a supply of hand cleaning liquid, powder, or bar soap. Soap was supplied during time of inspection.
6-301.11
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed, & used
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: The hand-washing sink in the back bar was blocked by spray bottles. A hand-washing sink shall be accessible at all times for employee use. Items were removed from sink during time of inspection.
5-204.11
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed, & used
Inspector notes: Molluscan Shellfish (oysters) located in (raw bar) did not have the proper identification tags. Molluscan Shellstock tags must remain attached to the container in which the Molluscan Shellstock are received until the container is empty.
3-203.12
Warewashing facilities; installed maintained, & used; test strips
Inspector notes: Molluscan shellfish tags must be maintained for 90 days in chronological order and the date when the last shellfish was used from the bag must be noted on the shellfish tag.
3-402.12
Hot or cold food held at improper temperature
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: The prep unit by the fryolators and liquor walk-in cooler was observed held at an ambient temperature of 46 degrees Fahrenheit. Time/temperature control for safety (TCS) food must be held at 41 degrees Fahrenheit or below except during preparation, cooking, or cooling. Establishment shall not store TCS food items within unit until an ambient temperature of 41 degrees Fahrenheit or less is able to be maintained.
3-501.16(A)
Ready-to-eat food not date marked
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Canadian ham was observed not marked with the date of preparation. Ready-to-eat time/temperature control for safety (TCS) foods prepared in the establishment and held for more than 24 hours must be marked with the date of preparation. Per PIC, food item was opened on Sunday for brunch and was properly date marked during the time of inspection.
3-501.17
Improper cooling methods used
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Proper cooling methods were not used for time/temperature control for safety (TCS) foods. Per interview of kitchen staff, chowder was placed hot in the refrigerator in containers greater than four inches deep. Food items were moved into shallow pans and placed in freezer to cool rapidly. Proper cooling methods reviewed during time of inspection.
3-501.15
Food thawed using improper method
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Amberjack was observed thawing in the walk-in cooler in its original intact reduced oxygen packaging (ROP). Seafood products packaged in ROP shall be removed from original packaging prior to thawing to allow the reintroduction of oxygen into the food item. Food item was observed at 29 degrees Fahrenheit and was removed from its original packaging time of inspection.
3-501.13
Sanitizer test kit not available
Inspector notes: The facility is lacking test strips to measure the concentration of the Quaternary Ammonium sanitizing solution for the kitchen 3-bay sink and the Chlorine sanitizing solution for the bar dishwashers. Establishment is to order test strips.
4-302.14
Proper cold holding temperatures
Inspector notes: The facility is lacking thermo labels or similar internal temperature indicating device for the dish machine in the main kitchen. Establishment is to order thermo labels.
4-302.13
Employee eating, drinking, or using tobacco in food area
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Employees were observed eating in the kitchen space. an employee shall eat, drink, or use any form of tobacco products only in designated areas where the contamination of exposed food; clean EQUIPMENT, UTENSILS, and linens; unwrapped single-service and single-use articles; or other items needing protection cannot result. PIC informed that employees shall eat in designated areas only.
2-401.11
Sewage & waste water properly disposed
Inspector notes: The liquid wastes from ice well and soda gun in the main kitchen were observed draining into a bucket. Liquid wastes shall be drain into a drain or conveyed in an approved manner.
5-403.12
Employee eating, drinking, or using tobacco in food area
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: An open employees' beverage container was observed stored in a food preparation area. Employees shall not drink from open beverage containers in order to prevent contamination of their hands, the container, and exposed food. PIC informed that employees shall have covered beverage containers.
2-401.11
Outer openings not protected against pests
Inspector notes: The screen door to the outside, located in the back entrance of the kitchen, is not tight-fitting. Outer openings of a food establishment must be protected against the entry of insects and rodents by tight-fitting doors.
6-202.15
In-use utensils stored improperly between uses
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Knives were observed stored between the backsplash of the prep sink and the wall. Knives were sent to dishwasher to be cleaned and sanitized during time of inspection.
3-304.12
Equipment not in good repair or proper adjustment
Inspector notes: Refrigerator door gaskets were observed in poor repair on the following units: -The 2-door low boy by expo -Prep unit #3 -Main walk-in cooler -2-door low boy freezer by fryolator Refrigerator door gaskets shall be maintained in good repair.
4-501.11
Equipment not in good repair or proper adjustment
Inspector notes: The prep unit by the liquor walk-in cooler and the fryolators was observed with ice being used as method of temperature control and had an ambient of 46 degrees Fahrenheit and was not in good repair. Establishment is to repair or replace unit. Establishment shall not store TCS food items in unit until an ambient temperature of 41 degrees Fahrenheit or less is maintained.
4-501.11
14
Nov 22, 2024
Reinspection for Opening
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 2 minor violations. 1 corrected on site.
View 5 violations
Sewage backflow not prevented
Inspector notes: The sink used for food preparation and ice well for the back-room bar is lacking an air gap. A direct connection must not exist between the sewage system and a drain originating from equipment in which food is placed.
5-402.11
Food thawed using improper method
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Raw tuna and cooked lobster meat was observed thawing in the walk-in cooler with in-tact reduced oxygen packaging (ROP). Seafood packaged within ROP must be removed from packaging prior to thawing. Raw tuna was observed at 34 degrees Fahrenheit, and the cooked lobster meat was observed still partially frozen. All food items were removed from packaging and placed in other storage containers.
3-501.13
Evidence of pests or pest control inadequate
Inspector notes: The presence of rodents is not controlled as evidenced by droppings in the dry storage room. The presence of insects, rodents, and other pests must be controlled by routinely inspecting the premises for evidence of pests, using acceptable methods to control pests, eliminating harborage conditions, and routinely inspecting incoming shipments of food and supplies. Establishment is to work with pest control to eliminate and obtain control of pest activity in effected areas.
6-501.111
Equipment or utensils not clean
Inspector notes: The non-food contact surfaces of the prep unit have an accumulation of dead pests, dust, dirt, food residue, and other debris. Non-food contact surfaces of the equipment shall be cleaned at a frequency necessary to prevent the accumulation of dust, dirt, food residue, or other debris.
4-601.11(B)
Equipment not in good repair or proper adjustment
Inspector notes: Refrigerator door gaskets were observed in poor repair on the following units; - 2-Door Reach-In - 2-Door Low Boy - Prep Unit #3 - 2-Door Low Boy Freezer by Fryers - Walk-In Cooler Refrigerator door gaskets shall be maintained in good repair.
4-501.11
64
Nov 18, 2024
Opening
1 critical violation. 4 major violations. 4 minor violations. 1 corrected on site.
View 9 violations
Sewage backflow not prevented
Inspector notes: The sink used for food preparation and ice well for the back-room bar is lacking an air gap. A direct connection must not exist between the sewage system and a drain originating from equipment in which food is placed.
5-402.11
Consumer advisory not provided for raw or undercooked food
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: The consumer advisory provided does not disclose the foods on the menu that are raw or undercooked. The consumer advisory must indicate which food items on the menu are offered raw or undercooked.
3-603.11
Food thawed using improper method
Inspector notes: Raw amberjack and cooked lobster meat was observed thawing in the walk-in cooler with in-tact reduced oxygen packaging (ROP). Seafood packaged within ROP must be removed from packaging prior to thawing. Raw amberjack was observed at 32 degrees Fahrenheit, and the cooked lobster meat was observed still partially frozen. All food items were removed from packaging and placed in other storage containers.
3-501.13
Evidence of pests or pest control inadequate
Inspector notes: The presence of rodents and cockroaches is not controlled as evidenced by live activity, gnawed food, and dead carcasses. The presence of insects, rodents, and other pests must be controlled by routinely inspecting the premises for evidence of pests, using acceptable methods to control pests, eliminating harborage conditions, and routinely inspecting incoming shipments of food and supplies. Pest control arrived at time of inspection and discussed plan of action with inspector. Establishment is to work with pest control to eliminate and obtain control of pest activity.
6-501.111
Sanitizer test kit not available
Inspector notes: The facility is lacking test strips to measure the concentration of the chlorine sanitizing solution for the kitchen and bar dish machines. Test strips were ordered during the time of inspection.
4-302.14
Equipment or utensils not clean
Inspector notes: The non-food contact surfaces of the walk-in coolers fan guards have an accumulation of dust, dirt, food residue, and other debris. Non-food contact surfaces of equipment shall be cleaned at a frequency necessary to prevent the accumulation of dust, dirt, food residue, and other debris.
4-601.11(B)
Outer openings not protected against pests
Inspector notes: The door to the outside, located in the back of kitchen was observed with torn bug screening and is not tight-fitting. Outer openings of a food establishment must be protected against the entry of insects and rodents by tight-fitting doors.
6-202.15
Cutting surfaces scratched, scored, or no longer cleanable
Inspector notes: The cutting boards in the kitchen are very scratched and scored. Cutting blocks and boards that are subject to scratching and scoring shall be resurfaced if they can no longer be effectively cleaned and sanitized, or discarded if they are not capable of being resurfaced.
4-501.12
Equipment not in good repair or proper adjustment
Inspector notes: Refrigerator door gaskets were observed in poor repair on the following units; - 2-Door Reach-In - 2-Door Low Boy - Prep Unit #3 - 2-Door Low Boy Freezer by Fryers - Walk-In Cooler Refrigerator door gaskets shall be maintained in good repair.
4-501.11
47
Frequently Asked Questions
When was The Reef last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at The Reef on file is from May 22, 2025. The public record contains four inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at The Reef?
Across the inspection record, food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable has been cited five times, more than any other issue at The Reef.
How does The Reef compare to other restaurants in Newport?
The Reef most recently scored 78 out of 100, which is lower than the Newport average of 84.
Has The Reef's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at The Reef have turned up fewer violations than earlier ones, with the latest finding around four violations compared to about 14 previously.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at The Reef means inspectors found minimal or no significant issues at the most recent visit. Most facilities at this tier have a clean recent inspection report.
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