Cafe At Misen Place, Roux Receive Warnings From State Inspectors

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, FL – Flying insects in the kitchen and employees not property washing their hands before handling food are two of the violations that Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation inspectors found recently in Tampa-area restaurants.

Note: Most restaurants that receive warnings for violations correct the problems and pass subsequent inspections.

• The Cafe at Mise En Place, 4100 George J. Bean Parkway in Terminal F at the Tampa International Airport, was temporarily closed by state inspectors after the airport cafe received five warnings for high-priority violations July 12. Violations included the presence of small, live flying insects in the kitchen. Inspectors said one landed on a side salad at the pass-through window. Inspectors ordered a "stop sale" on the salad. About 45 more flying insects were discovered around the mop sink, five in the dry storage area, 30 in the dish area and five behind the bar. In response, the restaurant submitted an order for pest control. The restaurant also received warnings for storing cooked potatoes and shrimp at potentially hazardous temperatures and ready-to-eat food that was stored beyond its seven-day deadline.

• Roux, 4205 S. Macdill Ave. Suite F, Tampa, received warnings for 11 violations on July 12, five of which were high-priority violations. They included storing food at improper temperatures, a slicer blade soiled with old food debris and ice build-up in the walk-in freezer.

• Lemon Grass Thai Kitchen, 3635 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa, was issued 16 warnings total with seven for high-priority violations July 11 including an employee who dried his hands on a soiled apron after washing; an employee who touched a bare body part and then began preparing food without washing his hands; an employee who touched ready-to-eat food (cooked chicken) with bare hands; and an employee who didn't use soap when washing his hands.

• Nordstrom Bazille, 2223 N. Westshore Blvd., Tampa, received warnings for 23 violations, seven of which were high-priority violations, July 11 including the bartender touching a lemon and piece of bread with her bare hands and pulling up her pants and then washing basil with bare hands without washing first; kitchen staff garnishing a plate of meat with bare hands; and cooked lamb, raw beef, raw salmon and cooked chicken stored at improper temperatures.

• Pizza Rock, 401 S. Parsons Ave., Unit D, Brandon, received eight warnings on July 12, one of which was a high-priority item for storing food at a potentially hazardous temperature.

In the last 30 days, 127 Hillsborough County restaurants did not pass the first inspection while 196 restaurants aced the first visit. For more details on Tampa-area restaurant inspections, click here.

The inspectors made note of six Hillsborough County restaurants that passed inspections this month without any violations, including Nutrition Solutions, 3609 N 15th St, Tampa; Italian Wagon, 9808 Vaughn St., Gibsonton; The Hungry Greek, 23651 State Road 54, Lutz; Burger Cinco Inc., 8303 N Armenia Ave., Tampa; University Mall, 2200 E. Flower Ave., Tampa; and Canteen Refreshment Services, 5401 Hangar Court, Tampa.

Most restaurants with violations have corrected the problems and passed subsequent inspections.