LEFT BANK BISTRO
1225 Doctor Martin Luther King Junior Street North
Saint Petersburg, Florida, 33701
Historic Uptown
Pinellas County County
Overall Food Safety Rating
★½☆☆☆ (1.7/5)
Based on 7 health inspection reports
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Nearby Locations
All Inspection Reports
Inspection on 4/18/2025
High Priority
2
Intermediate
3
Basic
7
Total
12
Disposition: Met Inspection Standards
Inspection Details:
- 16-03-4:Basic - Accumulation of debris inside warewashing machine.
- 50-09-4:Basic - Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed. Repeat Violation
- 10-08-5:Basic - Ice scoop handle in contact with ice. Behind bar, removed Corrected On-Site
- 10-13-5:Basic - In-use ice scoop for ice machine located outside not stored in a protected manner between uses. Ice scoop and buckets stored outside above ice machine
- 31B-04-4:Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Behind bar
- 08B-62-4:Basic - Unprotected ice machine in a customer/nonsecure area. Outdoor ice machine at rear of customer patio not secured Repeat Violation
- 14-17-4:Basic - Walk-in cooler/freezer shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Repeat Violation
- 08A-05-6:High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw pork over cooked salmon in walk in cooler, order corrected
- 03B-01-6:High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. butter sauce (122F - Hot Holding) on grill, burner turned on to reheat **Corrective Action Taken**
- 31A-11-4:Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Strainer in hand sink behind bar, used as dump sink
- 16-62-1:Intermediate - No measuring device available for measuring utensil surface temperature when using hot water as sanitizer in a dishmachine.
- 31B-02-4:Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Behind bar
Food safety inspection conducted on 4/18/2025 revealed 12 total violations (2 high priority, 3 intermediate, 7 basic).
Inspection on 11/13/2024
High Priority
3
Intermediate
2
Basic
14
Total
19
Disposition: Met Inspection Standards
Inspection Details:
- 16-21-4:Basic - Accumulation of debris on exterior of warewashing machine.
- 24-05-4:Basic - Clean glasses, cups, bowls, plates, pots and pans not stored inverted or in a protected manner. Ice buckets by outside ice machine not properly inverted.
- 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. Reduced oxygen packaging tuna just started thawing process in walk in cooler and not removed from packaging. Chef scored packages. Corrected On-Site
- 50-09-4:Basic - Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed.
- 40-06-5:Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employee cell phones on prep tables above reach in cooler.
- 13-03-4:Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation.
- 33-23-4:Basic - Grease receptacle/dumpster not on proper pad/nonabsorbent surface.
- 10-06-5:Basic - In-use utensil not stored with handle above the top of time/temperature control for safety food and rim of the container. Handle of scoops for both chicken and tuna salad are touching the food.
- 22-08-4:Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Oven in kitchen has built up food debris. Repeat Violation
- 33-11-4:Basic - Missing drain plug at dumpster.
- 33-16-4:Basic - Open dumpster lid.
- 08B-62-4:Basic - Unprotected ice machine in a customer/nonsecure area. Ice machine in unprotected area not locked when not in service.
- 14-17-4:Basic - Walk-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface.
- 21-38-4:Basic - Wiping cloth sanitizing solution stored on the floor. Employee stored correctly. Corrected On-Site
- 03G-04-5:High Priority - Fish not held frozen before, during and after being packaged onsite using a reduced oxygen packaging method. See stop sale. 2 lbs of fresh salmon vacuum sealed on site. Inspector instructed as to proper method of vacuum sealing fish.
- 01B-13-4:High Priority - Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. 2 lbs of fresh salmon vacuum sealed on site.
- 29-34-4:High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at hose bib by back door.
- 22-02-4:Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting board on reach in cooler in kitchen has built up food debris. Potato slicer outside rear door of kitchen has food debris buildup. Repeat Violation
- 02B-01-5:Intermediate - Menu does not identify which items contain raw or undercooked animal foods covered by the consumer advisory. Smoked salmon and smoked salmon Benedict not identified as containing a raw animal product. Manager updated menus to reflect raw menu items. Corrected On-Site
Food safety inspection conducted on 11/13/2024 revealed 19 total violations (3 high priority, 2 intermediate, 14 basic).
Inspection on 4/16/2024
High Priority
0
Intermediate
2
Basic
2
Total
4
Disposition: Follow-up Inspection Required
Inspection Details:
- 13-04-4:Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Employee with no beard guard/restraint while engaging in food preparation. Warning - From follow-up inspection 2024-04-16: **Time Extended**
- 22-08-4:Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Oven on cook line has built up food debris. Warning - From follow-up inspection 2024-04-16: **Time Extended**
- 22-02-4:Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting board and slicer next to rear door has built up food debris. Warning - From follow-up inspection 2024-04-16: Slicer by rear door has built up food debris at the time of this callback inspection report. **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. Warning - From follow-up inspection 2024-04-16: No proof of employee training in the restaurant at the time of this callback inspection report.. Admin Complaint
Food safety inspection conducted on 4/16/2024 revealed 4 total violations (0 high priority, 2 intermediate, 2 basic).
Inspection on 2/9/2024
High Priority
2
Intermediate
5
Basic
5
Total
12
Disposition: Follow-up Inspection Required
Inspection Details:
- 13-04-4:Basic - Employee with no beard guard/restraint while engaging in food preparation. Warning
- 08B-38-4:Basic - Food stored on floor. Cooking oil stored on floor of kitchen next to three compartment sink. Warning
- 22-08-4:Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Oven on cook line has built up food debris. Warning
- 31B-04-4:Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees in women's restroom. Warning
- 06-01-5:Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Frozen mussels and tuna thawed in standing water. Manager placed under cold water running water. Corrected On-Site Warning
- 12A-13-4:High Priority - Employee handled soiled equipment or utensils and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Dishwasher went from scraping dirty utensils to putting away clean utensils with no hand wash in between. Warning
- 50-17-3:High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. License expired on 02/01/2024.
- 11-07-5:Intermediate - Certified Food Manager or person in charge lacks knowledge of foodborne illnesses and symptoms of illness that would prevent an employee from working with food, clean equipment and utensils, and single-service items. Warning
- 22-02-4:Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting board and slicer next to rear door has built up food debris. Warning
- 31A-11-4:Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Hand wash sink across from walk in cooler has plastic glove in it. Manager removed glove. Corrected On-Site Warning
- 53A-01-7:Intermediate - Manager or person in charge lacking proof of food manager certification. 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. Warning
Food safety inspection conducted on 2/9/2024 revealed 12 total violations (2 high priority, 5 intermediate, 5 basic).
Inspection on 8/16/2023
High Priority
4
Intermediate
2
Basic
5
Total
11
Disposition: Follow-up Inspection Required
Inspection Details:
- 36-34-5:Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Ceiling and light fixtures in kitchen soiled with dust debris.
- 13-04-4:Basic - Employee with no beard guard/restraint while engaging in food preparation. Employee engaged in food preparation with no beard restraint.
- 08B-31-4:Basic - Food stored in undrained ice. Fish and oysters in walk in cooler stored in undrained ice.
- 22-08-4:Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Oven in cook line has built up food debris.
- 36-27-5:Basic - Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Wall in kitchen soiled with food and dust debris. Repeat Violation
- 12A-13-4:High Priority - Employee handled soiled equipment or utensils and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Dish washer went from emptying dirty dish pan to clean plates without a hand wash.
- 35A-02-6:High Priority - Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. 1 live fly in kitchen not landing on food or food contact surfaces. 1 live fly in ware washing area not landing on food or food contact surfaces. 1 live fly in dining room not landing on food or food contact surfaces. Repeat Violation Admin Complaint
- 03A-02-5:High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. In reach in cooler on cook line: brie cheese (50F - Cold Holding); bleu cheese crumbles (50F - Cold Holding); chicken salad (44F - Cold Holding) Manager moved items into freezer. Temperatures taken at 11:15 am. Temperatures taken again at 11:50 am: brie cheese 43 F, bleu cheese crumbles 41 F, chicken salad at 42 F. Corrected On-Site Repeat Violation Admin Complaint
- 03B-01-6:High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. On table beside cooktop: butter (93F - Hot Holding) Employee placed back on cooktop to reheat. **Corrective Action Taken**
- 22-02-4:Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting boards on cook line have built up food debris.
- 53B-13-5:Intermediate - Proof of required state approved employee training not available for some employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. Repeat Violation
Food safety inspection conducted on 8/16/2023 revealed 11 total violations (4 high priority, 2 intermediate, 5 basic).
Inspection on 7/13/2023
High Priority
0
Intermediate
1
Basic
7
Total
8
Disposition: Met Inspection Standards
Inspection Details:
- 16-21-4:Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Accumulation of debris on exterior of warewashing machine. Top of dish machine has food debris and lime scale buildup. - From follow-up inspection 2023-07-13: **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. Ceiling tiles and vents in kitchen are soiled with food and dust debris. - From follow-up inspection 2023-07-13: **Time Extended**
- 13-04-4:Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Employee with no beard guard/restraint while engaging in food preparation. Employees in kitchen with no beard guard. Repeat Violation - From follow-up inspection 2023-07-13: **Time Extended**
- 33-20-4:Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Grease on the ground and/or pad around grease receptacle. - From follow-up inspection 2023-07-13: **Time Extended**
- 33-11-4:Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Missing drain plug at dumpster. - From follow-up inspection 2023-07-13: **Time Extended**
- 23-03-4:Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Gaskets on reach in coolers have built up food debris. - From follow-up inspection 2023-07-13: **Time Extended**
- 36-27-5:Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Wall in kitchen soiled with food and dust debris. Repeat Violation - From follow-up inspection 2023-07-13: **Time Extended**
- 53B-13-5:Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Proof of required state approved employee training not available for some 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 2023-07-13: **Time Extended**
Food safety inspection conducted on 7/13/2023 revealed 8 total violations (0 high priority, 1 intermediate, 7 basic).
Inspection on 7/11/2023
High Priority
3
Intermediate
6
Basic
12
Total
21
Disposition: Follow-up Inspection Required
Inspection Details:
- 16-21-4:Basic - Accumulation of debris on exterior of warewashing machine. Top of dish machine has food debris and lime scale buildup.
- 36-34-5:Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Ceiling tiles and vents in kitchen are soiled with food and dust debris.
- 12B-07-4:Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee beverage on prep table by rear door. 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. Employee phone on prep table by rear door. Manager removed. Corrected On-Site
- 13-04-4:Basic - Employee with no beard guard/restraint while engaging in food preparation. Employees in kitchen with no beard guard. Repeat Violation
- 33-19-4:Basic - Garbage on the ground and/or pad around dumpster.
- 33-20-4:Basic - Grease on the ground and/or pad around grease receptacle.
- 33-11-4:Basic - Missing drain plug at dumpster.
- 31B-04-4:Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. No hand wash sign at hand wash sink next to cook line.
- 23-03-4:Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Gaskets on reach in coolers have built up food debris.
- 08B-62-4:Basic - Unprotected ice machine in a customer/nonsecure area. Outdoor ice machine is not secured.
- 36-27-5:Basic - Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Wall in kitchen soiled with food and dust debris. Repeat Violation
- 35A-02-6:High Priority - Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. 6 live flies in kitchen not landing on food or food contact surfaces. Repeat Violation Admin Complaint
- 03A-02-5:High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. In reach in cooler on cook line: cooked rice (50F - Cold Holding); cooked mushrooms (50F - Cold Holding); heavy whipping cream (50F - Cold Holding); bleu cheese crumbles (50F - Cold Holding); duck (50F - Cold Holding); cooked pasta (50F - Cold Holding) In walk in cooler: butter (50F - Cold Holding); cut melons (50F - Cold Holding); salmon (50F - Cold Holding) Manager moved all items to reach in freezer. **Corrective Action Taken** Repeat Violation Admin Complaint
- 03F-02-5:High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food identified in the written procedure as a food held using time as a public health control has no time marking and the time removed from temperature control cannot be determined. See stop sale. Butter held on time and not time stamped. Manager put time stamp on butter.
- 11-07-5:Intermediate - Certified Food Manager or person in charge lacks knowledge of foodborne illnesses and symptoms of illness that would prevent an employee from working with food, clean equipment and utensils, and single-service items.
- 22-02-4:Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Potato slicer outside back door has built up food debris. Advised can not prepare food outside. Cutting boards on prep tables have built up food debris. Repeat Violation
- 53A-05-6:Intermediate - No currently certified food service manager on duty with four or more employees engaged in food preparation/handling. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/
- 01C-01-4:Intermediate - No tag on/for original container of raw, in-shell clams. Manager found tag and placed into container.
- 53B-13-5:Intermediate - Proof of required state approved employee training not available for some employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233.
- 02A-01-4:Intermediate - Raw or undercooked oysters offered and establishment has no consumer advisory sign provided on wall, menu, placard, table tent or by any other written means. Raw animal foods must be fully cooked prior to service. Establishment does serve oysters occasionally, but no consumer advisory present. Inspector printed oyster consumer advisory and manager posted.
Food safety inspection conducted on 7/11/2023 revealed 21 total violations (3 high priority, 6 intermediate, 12 basic).