DirtyFLRestaurant Inspection Data

ZEST KITCHEN AND BAR

Based on 9 health inspections, ZEST KITCHEN AND BAR in PORT ST LUCIE has earned a 2.3/5 food safety rating. Recent inspections show improving food safety practices.

Saint Lucie West Boulevard
Port Saint Lucie, Florida, 34986
Saint Lucie County County

Overall Food Safety Rating

★★☆☆☆ (2.3/5)
Based on 9 health inspection reports

All Inspection Reports

Inspection Date: 9/29/2025

Inspection #: Visit ID: 13533078

  • 22-20-5:Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Repeat Violation - From follow-up inspection 2025-09-29: **Time Extended**
  • 14-11-5:Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Gasket for walk in freezer. - From follow-up inspection 2025-09-29: **Time Extended**
  • 36-22-4:Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Floor area(s) covered with standing water. In front of walk in freezer. Repeat Violation - From follow-up inspection 2025-09-29: **Time Extended**
  • 14-69-4:Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Ice buildup in walk-in freezer. Repeat Violation - From follow-up inspection 2025-09-29: **Time Extended**
  • 29-42-4:High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at mop sink faucet or on fitting/splitter added to mop sink faucet. - From follow-up inspection 2025-09-29: **Time Extended**
  • 53A-03-7:Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Food manager certification expired. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/ For D.C and S.C. - From follow-up inspection 2025-09-29: **Time Extended**

Inspection Date: 9/29/2025

Inspection #: Visit ID: 13530576

  • 22-20-5:Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Repeat Violation
  • 32-04-4:Basic - Bathroom located inside establishment not completely enclosed with tight-fitting, self-closing doors. Women's. Repeat Violation
  • 14-01-5:Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Plastic container with no handle in panko. Manager removed. Corrected On-Site
  • 40-06-5:Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Cell phone next to slicer. Removed by owner of cell phone. Corrected On-Site
  • 14-11-5:Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Gasket for walk in freezer.
  • 36-22-4:Basic - Floor area(s) covered with standing water. In front of walk in freezer. Repeat Violation
  • 14-69-4:Basic - Ice buildup in walk-in freezer. Repeat Violation
  • 31B-04-4:Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Next to bar. Manager posted sign. Corrected On-Site
  • 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. Found at 25 ppm. Reran and primed and still found at 25ppm. Warning
  • 03A-02-5:High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Half and half 46F cold holding at bar. Advised to cool down. Per manager, was in and out of cooler. **Corrective Action Taken**
  • 29-42-4:High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at mop sink faucet or on fitting/splitter added to mop sink faucet.
  • 53B-16-4:Intermediate - Employee has not received adequate training related to their assigned duties as evidenced by the inability to answer basic food safety questions. Dish washer employee unable to tell Inspector how and when to check if dish washer is sanitizing properly. Cook translated between Inspector and employee. Cook educated. **Corrective Action Taken**
  • 53A-03-7:Intermediate - Food manager certification expired. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/ For D.C and S.C.
  • 02B-01-5:Intermediate - Menu does not identify which items contain raw or undercooked animal foods covered by the consumer advisory. Ahi Tuna on today's special menu. Assistant manager printed new menus. Corrected On-Site

Inspection Date: 6/11/2025

Inspection #: Visit ID: 10724488

  • 22-20-5:Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin.
  • 32-04-4:Basic - Both Bathroom located inside establishment not completely enclosed with tight-fitting, self-closing doors. Repeat Violation
  • 06-09-1:Basic - Commercially processed reduced oxygen packaged fish bearing a label indicating that it is to remain frozen until time of use no longer frozen and not removed from reduced oxygen package. 8 tuna and 6 sea bass. Education provided.
  • 36-03-4:Basic - Cove molding at floor/wall juncture broken/missing. Near stove. Repeat Violation
  • 16-55-4:Basic - Dishmachine not washing/rinsing properly. Must wash, rinse and sanitize all dishware, equipment and utensils in three-compartment sink until dishmachine is functioning properly. Ran and primed 3x. All test found at 0 ppm. Manager will call to get serviced and set up three compartment sink.
  • 14-11-5:Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Gasket of walk in freezer door. Repeat Violation
  • 36-22-4:Basic - Floor area(s) covered with standing water. In front of walk in freezer. Repeat Violation
  • 14-69-4:Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer.
  • 23-03-4:Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hood filters.
  • 21-14-4:Basic - Soiled cloths/linen not kept in a suitable container prior to laundering. Employee removed from on top of paper towel dispenser on cooks line. Corrected On-Site
  • 01B-13-4:High Priority - Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. ROP Fish sea bass and tuna.

Inspection Date: 12/27/2024

Inspection #: Visit ID: 10749812

  • 22-20-5:Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Manager cleaned. Corrected On-Site
  • 32-04-4:Basic - Bathroom located inside establishment not completely enclosed with tight-fitting, self-closing doors. Both employee/guest bathrooms. Repeat Violation
  • 36-03-4:Basic - Cove molding at floor/wall juncture broken/missing. In kitchen next to stove. Repeat Violation
  • 14-09-4:Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. On cook's line. Repeat Violation
  • 14-11-5:Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Gasket of walk in freezer. Repeat Violation
  • 36-22-4:Basic - Floor area(s) covered with standing water. In front of walk in freezer. Repeat Violation
  • 36-17-5:Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Cracked tile in front of fryer.
  • 14-69-4:Basic - Ice buildup in walk-in freezer. Repeat Violation
  • 22-08-4:Basic - Interior of microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Manager cleaned. Corrected On-Site Repeat Violation
  • 29-49-6:Basic - Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler. Next to hand washing sink.
  • 02C-03-5:Intermediate - Commercially processed ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food opened and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked after opening. Half and half. Employee date marked. Corrected On-Site

Inspection Date: 11/19/2024

Inspection #: Visit ID: 8779664

  • 32-04-4:Basic - Bathroom located inside establishment not completely enclosed with tight-fitting, self-closing doors. Women's bathroom.
  • 06-09-1:Basic - Commercially processed reduced oxygen packaged fish bearing a label indicating that it is to remain frozen until time of use no longer frozen and not removed from reduced oxygen package. Tuna. Educated. Repeat Violation
  • 36-03-4:Basic - Cove molding at floor/wall juncture broken/missing. Next to stove.
  • 14-09-4:Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. On Cooks line. Repeat Violation
  • 14-11-5:Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Gasket of walk in freezer door.
  • 36-22-4:Basic - Floor area(s) covered with standing water. In front of walk in freezer.
  • 36-17-5:Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. In front of walk in freezer.
  • 14-69-4:Basic - Ice buildup in walk-in freezer. Repeat Violation
  • 22-08-4:Basic - Interior of microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Corrected On-Site
  • 21-10-4:Basic - Soiled dry wiping cloth in use. Found in a clean pan. Informed Cook to place in laundry once soiled. Corrected On-Site
  • 08B-12-5:Basic - Stored food not covered. Raw chicken and raw fish in sautéed reach in cooler. Informed Cook to cover once it is not a working cooler. Greens and other items on shelf in walk in cooler.
  • 36-27-5:Basic - Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Sauté station.
  • 01B-13-4:High Priority - Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. Tuna.
  • 02B-01-5:Intermediate - Menu does not identify which items contain raw or undercooked animal foods covered by the consumer advisory. Caesar dressing containing raw egg. All menus have been corrected with asterisk. Corrected On-Site
  • 41-17-4:Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Clear liquid and brown liquid not labeled. Corrected On-Site

Inspection Date: 5/28/2024

Inspection #: Visit ID: 8653498

  • 14-09-4:Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Grill station Warning - From follow-up inspection 2024-04-15: **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2024-05-28: **Time Extended**
  • 14-69-4:Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Heavy Ice buildup in walk-in freezer. Warning - From follow-up inspection 2024-04-15: **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2024-05-28: **Time Extended**
  • 02D-01-5:Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Sugar and yeast Warning - From follow-up inspection 2024-04-15: **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2024-05-28: **Time Extended**

Inspection Date: 4/15/2024

Inspection #: Visit ID: 8610080

  • 14-09-4:Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Grill station Warning - From follow-up inspection 2024-04-15: **Time Extended**
  • 14-69-4:Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Heavy Ice buildup in walk-in freezer. Warning - From follow-up inspection 2024-04-15: **Time Extended**
  • 02D-01-5:Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Sugar and yeast Warning - From follow-up inspection 2024-04-15: **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. Has books Warning - From follow-up inspection 2024-04-15: Has class scheduled **Time Extended**
  • 11-26-1:Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - No proof provided that food employees are informed of their responsibility to report to the person in charge information about their health and activities related to foodborne illnesses. Warning - From follow-up inspection 2024-04-15: **Time Extended**

Inspection Date: 2/12/2024

Inspection #: Visit ID: 8526283

  • 14-01-5:Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Bowl used for panko Warning
  • 06-09-1:Basic - Commercially processed reduced oxygen packaged fish bearing a label indicating that it is to remain frozen until time of use no longer frozen and not removed from reduced oxygen package. Corrected On-Site Warning
  • 14-09-4:Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Grill station Warning
  • 14-69-4:Basic - Heavy Ice buildup in walk-in freezer. Warning
  • 05-09-4:Basic - No conspicuously located ambient air temperature thermometer in holding unit. In Black reach in cooler at wait station Warning
  • 02D-01-5:Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Sugar and yeast Warning
  • 08A-02-6:High Priority - Raw salmon stored over cooked lamb in the walk in cooler. Corrected On-Site Warning
  • 03A-02-5:High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Sour cream in wait staff cooler 46F. Manager discarded. Warning
  • 53A-01-7:Intermediate - Manager or person in charge lacking proof of food manager certification. All they have is when they took test no proof of certification. Warning
  • 22-02-4:Intermediate - Microwave soiled with old food. Slicer guard soiled with old food. Warning
  • 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. Has books Warning
  • 11-26-1:Intermediate - No proof provided that food employees are informed of their responsibility to report to the person in charge information about their health and activities related to foodborne illnesses. Warning
  • 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. Corn beef made Friday. Several food items in the walk in cooler not date marked. Warning

Inspection Date: 10/13/2023

Inspection #: Visit ID: 8378456

  • 22-20-5:Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin.
  • 12B-07-4:Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Coffee cup over prep table in kitchen. Corrected On-Site
  • 08B-38-4:Basic - Food stored on floor. Food stored under walk in freezer shelves. Also, case of oil stored on floor in dry storage.
  • 14-69-4:Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Ice build up on fans in walk in freezer.
  • 23-03-4:Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Gaskets on cookline
  • 41-17-4:Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Bottle of degreaser not labeled. Corrected On-Site