AROMA INDIAN CUISINE AND BAR
351 West Bay Drive
Florida, 33770
Pinellas County County
Overall Food Safety Rating
★½☆☆☆ (1.9/5)
Based on 6 health inspection reports
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All Inspection Reports
Inspection on 4/23/2025
High Priority
Intermediate
Basic
Total
Disposition: Call Back - Admin. complaint recommended
This inspection identified null intermediate and null basic violations that needed improvement. The establishment was required to make corrections.
Inspection on 4/15/2025
High Priority
3
Intermediate
7
Basic
7
Total
17
Disposition: Follow-up Inspection Required
Inspection Details:
- 16-21-4:Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Accumulation of debris on exterior of warewashing machine. **Repeat Violation** - From follow-up inspection 2025-04-15: **Time Extended**
- 36-34-5:Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Kitchen. - From follow-up inspection 2025-04-15: **Time Extended**
- 14-09-4:Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. - From follow-up inspection 2025-04-15: **Time Extended**
- 29-18-4:Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Drain cover(s) missing. - From follow-up inspection 2025-04-15: **Time Extended**
- 13-03-4:Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. **Repeat Violation** - From follow-up inspection 2025-04-15: **Time Extended**
- 14-11-5:Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Equipment in poor repair. East walk in cooler at 50f, do not store anything in the walk in cooler until repaired. - From follow-up inspection 2025-04-15: **Time Extended**
- 08B-38-4:Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Food stored on floor. Food stored on floor in walk in cooler and walk in freezer. **Repeat Violation** - From follow-up inspection 2025-04-15: **Time Extended**
- 22-41-4:High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Dishmachine chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength. Discontinue use of dishmachine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dishmachine is repaired and sanitizing properly.0 ppm. Sanitizer motor not working to distribute chemical. - From follow-up inspection 2025-04-15: **Time Extended**
- 09-01-4:High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Employee touching ready-to-eat food with their bare hands - food was not being heated as a sole ingredient to 145 degrees F or immediately added to other ingredients to be cooked/heated to the minimum required temperature to allow bare hand contact. Establishment has no approved Alternative Operating Procedure. Employee on line touch cooked bread out of oven no gloves. Spoke to employee. **Corrective Action Taken** - From follow-up inspection 2025-04-15: **Time Extended**
- 50-17-3:High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. **Admin Complaint** - From follow-up inspection 2025-04-15: **Time Extended**
- 22-02-4:Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Soiled cutting boards **Repeat Violation** - From follow-up inspection 2025-04-15: **Time Extended**
- 53A-01-7:Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Manager or person in charge lacking proof of food manager certification. - From follow-up inspection 2025-04-15: **Time Extended**
- 31B-02-4:Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Alley. Side cooks line Dish area. - From follow-up inspection 2025-04-15: **Time Extended**
- 53B-01-5:Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - No proof of required state approved employee training provided for any employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. - From follow-up inspection 2025-04-15: **Time Extended**
- 31B-03-4:Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. Alley. Side cooks line Dish area. **Repeat Violation** - From follow-up inspection 2025-04-15: **Time Extended**
- 03F-10-5:Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - No written procedures available for use of time as a public health control to hold time/temperature control for safety food. Cannot observed written plan- locked up - From follow-up inspection 2025-04-15: **Time Extended**
- 02C-02-5:Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Cooked items in prep walk in cooler have no date markings. - From follow-up inspection 2025-04-15: **Time Extended**
Food safety inspection conducted on 4/15/2025 revealed 17 total violations (3 high priority, 7 intermediate, 7 basic).
Inspection on 4/14/2025
High Priority
5
Intermediate
7
Basic
7
Total
19
Disposition: Follow-up Inspection Required
Inspection Details:
- 16-21-4:Basic - Accumulation of debris on exterior of warewashing machine. **Repeat Violation**
- 36-34-5:Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Kitchen.
- 14-09-4:Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable.
- 29-18-4:Basic - Drain cover(s) missing.
- 13-03-4:Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. **Repeat Violation**
- 14-11-5:Basic - Equipment in poor repair. East walk in cooler at 50f, do not store anything in the walk in cooler until repaired.
- 08B-38-4:Basic - Food stored on floor. Food stored on floor in walk in cooler and walk in freezer. **Repeat Violation**
- 22-41-4:High Priority - Dishmachine chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength. Discontinue use of dishmachine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dishmachine is repaired and sanitizing properly.0 ppm. Sanitizer motor not working to distribute chemical.
- 09-01-4:High Priority - Employee touching ready-to-eat food with their bare hands - food was not being heated as a sole ingredient to 145 degrees F or immediately added to other ingredients to be cooked/heated to the minimum required temperature to allow bare hand contact. Establishment has no approved Alternative Operating Procedure. Employee on line touch cooked bread out of oven no gloves. Spoke to employee. **Corrective Action Taken**
- 50-17-3:High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. **Admin Complaint**
- 01B-02-5:High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Cooked goat 49f, cooked chicken 50f, cooked chicken 47f, chick peas 51f, cooked lamb 50f, various cooked sauces 48f, cooler is reading 50f, all items to be discarded by chef.
- 03A-02-5:High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Cooked goat 49f, cooked chicken 50f, cooked chicken 47f, chick peas 51f, cooked lamb 50f, various cooked sauces 48f, cooler is reading 50f, all items to be discarded by chef. Cooked rice 60f, left on counter- advised to put in walk in cooler.
- 22-02-4:Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Soiled cutting boards **Repeat Violation**
- 53A-01-7:Intermediate - Manager or person in charge lacking proof of food manager certification.
- 31B-02-4:Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Alley. Side cooks line Dish area.
- 53B-01-5:Intermediate - No proof of required state approved employee training provided for any employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233.
- 31B-03-4:Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. Alley. Side cooks line Dish area. **Repeat Violation**
- 03F-10-5:Intermediate - No written procedures available for use of time as a public health control to hold time/temperature control for safety food. Cannot observed written plan- locked up
- 02C-02-5:Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Cooked items in prep walk in cooler have no date markings.
Food safety inspection conducted on 4/14/2025 revealed 19 total violations (5 high priority, 7 intermediate, 7 basic).
Inspection on 11/25/2024
High Priority
3
Intermediate
3
Basic
12
Total
18
Disposition: Met Inspection Standards
Inspection Details:
- 16-21-4:Basic - Accumulation of debris on exterior of warewashing machine. Reviewed with manager .
- 25-25-4:Basic - Box containing roll/sheets of plastic wrap has old food debris/soil residue inside on food prep area near dish washing area . Reviewed with manager
- 29-18-4:Basic - Drain cover(s) missing in expo and dishwashing areas . Reviewed with manager
- 13-03-4:Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Reviewed with manager
- 14-11-5:Basic - Equipment in poor repair. - Taped handle of rice cooker on table near hand wash sink in kitchen
- 08B-38-4:Basic - Food stored on floor - large container of sauces in back kitchen area, seafood on floor in walk in freezer . Manager relocated food **Corrected On-Site**
- 10-17-4:Basic - In-use knife/knives stored in cracks between pieces of equipment - cooler and prep table at cook line . Reviewed with manager . Utensils moved to dish washing area for cleaning **Corrective Action Taken**
- 10-20-4:Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses at cook line . Cook relocated tongs **Corrected On-Site**
- 31B-04-4:Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees in lounge
- 23-03-4:Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. - dusty fan on floor in dishwashing area
- 06-01-5:Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Thawing chicken on the counter . Reviewed with manager . Manager placed chicken in walk in cooler **Corrected On-Site**
- 42-01-4:Basic - Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry near mop sink
- 03D-01-5:High Priority - Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 70 degrees Fahrenheit within 2 hours. Cooked onions and peppers 83 F at 3:05 pm cooked at 11:00 am in top area of cooler . Reviewed with cook proper cooling precidures . Manager discarded food items **Corrective Action Taken**
- 01B-36-5:High Priority - Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 70 degrees Fahrenheit within two hours and from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within six hours. See stop sale. Cooked onions and peppers 83 F at 3:05 pm cooked at 11:00 am in top area of cooler . Employee discarded food **Corrective Action Taken**
- 12A-09-4:High Priority - Single-use gloves not changed as needed after changing tasks or when damaged or soiled. Employee washed hands with gloves on . Reviewed with employee the correct handwashing and gloves change . Employee removed gloves and washed hands **Corrective Action Taken**
- 22-02-4:Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris -Soiled , stained cutting boards at cook line . Manager placed new cutting in dishwashing area to be cleaned then moved to cook line
- 31B-03-4:Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink at cook line . Manager placed soap at hand wash sink **Corrected On-Site**
- 05-10-4:Intermediate - Probe thermometer not used to ensure proper food temperatures. Reviewed with cook
Food safety inspection conducted on 11/25/2024 revealed 18 total violations (3 high priority, 3 intermediate, 12 basic).
Inspection on 9/9/2024
High Priority
1
Intermediate
2
Basic
1
Total
4
Disposition: Follow-up Inspection Required
Inspection Details:
- 24-11-4:Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - buffet plates/bowls not properly protected or inverted to prevent contamination. Manager inverted plates **Corrective Action Taken** - From follow-up inspection 2024-07-18: Plates not inverted at buffet. Reviewed with manager . Manager then inverted plated **Admin Complaint** **Corrected On-Site** - From follow-up inspection 2024-09-09: buffet plates/bowls not properly protected or inverted to prevent contamination **Admin Complaint**
- 50-08-7:High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Establishment operating without a license from the Division of Hotels and Restaurants. Operator must obtain a public food service license from the Division of Hotels and Restaurants within 60 days. Submit a license application and payment to DBPR/Bureau of Central Intake Unit, 2601 Blair Stone Rd., Tallahassee, FL 32399-0783. To apply online or obtain an application for license visit http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/ - From follow-up inspection 2024-07-18: Unable to issue a license due to inaccurate plans **Admin Complaint** - From follow-up inspection 2024-09-09: Approved plans not accurate and unable to issue license . **Admin Complaint**
- 22-02-4:Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. -Heavily stained cutting boards at cook line . Reviewed with manager - From follow-up inspection 2024-07-18: Cutting boards heavily stained at cook line Rwviewed with manager **Admin Complaint** - From follow-up inspection 2024-09-09: Heavily soiled cutting boards at cook line **Admin Complaint**
- 51-16-7:Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - No plan review submitted and approved - renovations were made or are in progress. Must submit plans and plan review application to DBPR H and R Plan Review office located at 2601 Blair Stone Rd., Tallahassee, FL 32399-1011. Plans must be submitted AND approved within 60 days. The direct link to the Plan Review page is https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/hotels-restaurants/licensing/plan-review/. Area in front area near bar has buffet with hinged containers for hot and cold food , Cook line has fryer equipment added between tandoori and stove , three reach in coolers opposite cooking equipment - From follow-up inspection 2024-07-18: Plans not accurate , not complete . Wine area hand wash sink not connected until City of Largo approval. Buffet area with cold holding and hot holding mostly hinged containers opposite bar not included on plans . All cooking equipment and coolers at cook line not listed on plans . Expo -wait station area no longer has ice machine . The rice cooker, microwaves and cooler not listed on plans . Storage area with bag in a box system with water softener missing on plans between door to kitchen and expo- wait station . Triple sink in dishwashing area missing from plans . Food storage and prep tables between walk in cooler and office is missing on plans . Ceiling tiles missing in office and cook line areas . Unsealed , not smooth wood on wall along walk in cooler and dishwashing areas **Admin Complaint** - From follow-up inspection 2024-09-09: Approved plans are not accurate . -Cooking equipment not accurate (grill removed ) , stoves added, single burner unit , three reach in coolers -No prep tables, toaster oven listed on plans in expo area . -Walls area plywood surfaces at exterior of walk in cooler in dishwashing area in the top 1 .5 food area - ceiling not smooth and easily cleanable at buffet area -Espresso station in dining area near restrooms -Ice bin , 2 coolers not listed at bar near buffet **Admin Complaint**
Food safety inspection conducted on 9/9/2024 revealed 4 total violations (1 high priority, 2 intermediate, 1 basic).
Inspection on 7/18/2024
High Priority
2
Intermediate
3
Basic
2
Total
7
Disposition: Follow-up Inspection Required
Inspection Details:
- 08B-38-4:Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Food ( containers of yogurt ) stored on floor in walk in cooler . Employee relocated yogurt **Corrected On-Site** - From follow-up inspection 2024-07-18: Boxes of chicken and containers of yogurt in walk in freezer stored on the floor . Manager relocated food off the floor **Admin Complaint** **Corrected On-Site**
- 24-11-4:Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - buffet plates/bowls not properly protected or inverted to prevent contamination. Manager inverted plates **Corrective Action Taken** - From follow-up inspection 2024-07-18: Plates not inverted at buffet. Reviewed with manager . Manager then inverted plated **Admin Complaint** **Corrected On-Site**
- 50-08-7:High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Establishment operating without a license from the Division of Hotels and Restaurants. Operator must obtain a public food service license from the Division of Hotels and Restaurants within 60 days. Submit a license application and payment to DBPR/Bureau of Central Intake Unit, 2601 Blair Stone Rd., Tallahassee, FL 32399-0783. To apply online or obtain an application for license visit http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/ - From follow-up inspection 2024-07-18: Unable to issue a license due to inaccurate plans **Admin Complaint**
- 08B-01-4:High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Self-service buffet lacking adequate sneezeguards or other proper protection from contamination. Food moved to into hinged containers **Corrected On-Site** - From follow-up inspection 2024-07-18: No covering over gulag jamun food at buffet. Reviewed with operator. Manager placed food in hinged lid container **Admin Complaint** **Corrected On-Site**
- 22-02-4:Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. -Heavily stained cutting boards at cook line . Reviewed with manager - From follow-up inspection 2024-07-18: Cutting boards heavily stained at cook line Rwviewed with manager **Admin Complaint**
- 31A-04-4:Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Handwash sink removed from food preparation Must be reinstalled in the same location where removed. at inside small bar area .Per manager , approved plans required by the city before hand wash sink can be installed . Manager states the area is not in use at this time for food preparation and he is in the process of the plan review process with the city - From follow-up inspection 2024-07-18: No hand wash sink in place in separate wine and dining area. Manager states the area is not in use at this time for food preparation . He is waiting for the City of Largo inspector to access plumbing prior to installing hand wash sink . **Admin Complaint**
- 51-16-7:Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - No plan review submitted and approved - renovations were made or are in progress. Must submit plans and plan review application to DBPR H and R Plan Review office located at 2601 Blair Stone Rd., Tallahassee, FL 32399-1011. Plans must be submitted AND approved within 60 days. The direct link to the Plan Review page is https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/hotels-restaurants/licensing/plan-review/. Area in front area near bar has buffet with hinged containers for hot and cold food , Cook line has fryer equipment added between tandoori and stove , three reach in coolers opposite cooking equipment - From follow-up inspection 2024-07-18: Plans not accurate , not complete . Wine area hand wash sink not connected until City of Largo approval. Buffet area with cold holding and hot holding mostly hinged containers opposite bar not included on plans . All cooking equipment and coolers at cook line not listed on plans . Expo -wait station area no longer has ice machine . The rice cooker, microwaves and cooler not listed on plans . Storage area with bag in a box system with water softener missing on plans between door to kitchen and expo- wait station . Triple sink in dishwashing area missing from plans . Food storage and prep tables between walk in cooler and office is missing on plans . Ceiling tiles missing in office and cook line areas . Unsealed , not smooth wood on wall along walk in cooler and dishwashing areas **Admin Complaint**
Food safety inspection conducted on 7/18/2024 revealed 7 total violations (2 high priority, 3 intermediate, 2 basic).