Popular Beachfront Eatery in Florida Closed After Health Inspection

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If you've ever dined at a beachfront restaurant, you know there's something special about the mix of great food and ocean views. Venice Restaurant in Hollywood, Florida, was a favorite for both locals and tourists, offering stunning views and Italian cuisine right on the boardwalk. But recently, the beloved eatery hit a bit of a snag—it was temporarily closed after a routine health inspection.

What’s Venice Restaurant All About?

Venice Restaurant, located at 911 North Boardwalk, is known for its laid-back vibe, oceanfront seating, and delicious Italian dishes. Although their website seems to be down at the moment, the restaurant has racked up over 2k reviews on various platforms, earning an impressive 4.5 out of 5 stars. People love this place! Sounds like a spot worth visiting, right? Well, not until they cleared up some recent issues.

What Went Down During the Inspection?

On August 28, 2024, Venice Restaurant was visited by inspectors from the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, and unfortunately, they didn’t pass with flying colors. In fact, the restaurant racked up 16 violations—ranging from basic issues to more serious ones.

Some of the basic violations included a hole in the wall and water leaking from the AC unit. There were also reports of a soiled wall behind the ice machine—yikes! But those were the least of their problems.

The more serious intermediate violations included the handwashing sink not being available for use at all times, and oddly enough, the sink being used for something other than washing hands. Plus, there wasn’t a certified food service manager on duty, despite having more than four employees handling food. Not exactly what you want to hear from your favorite restaurant!

Then came the high-priority violations. These included raw meat being stored in retail shopping bags (yes, like the ones you get from the grocery store) and raw beef and fish being stored over unwashed produce. There was also an issue with a display case that didn’t fully close.

With violations like these, it’s no surprise the restaurant had to temporarily close its doors.

What’s Next for Venice Restaurant?

Thankfully, Venice Restaurant didn’t stay closed for long. After a follow-up inspection on August 30th, only one basic violation remained, and the restaurant "met inspection standards." That means they’re back in business and ready to serve up those delicious Italian dishes once again.

If you're planning on visiting Venice Restaurant, it seems they’ve cleaned up their act and are back to providing that beachfront dining experience everyone loves. Let’s hope they stay on top of things moving forward!