Mmmmm, huh-uh

 
 
If you haven’t seen the St. Pete fish wrapper’s Weekend section, specifically the feature entitled “100 things that make you go mmmmm,” take a peek.
 
Though we admire food critic Laura Reiley for her magnanmity in allowing that “… since I’ve been the Times food critic for less than a year, it seems presumptuous of me to declare the area’s best restaurants just yet …,” we suggest that she at least consider a few other opinions before issuing proclamations in the future. Specifically, those of restaurant inspectors employed by Florida’s Division of Hotels and Restaurants.
 
Reiley’s 100 mmmmmy things make for interesting reading and we hope to follow at least some of her tracks but Tampa Bay food eaters should know that several of Reiley’s favs have been fined by the state for health and/or safety violations since January 1, 2005, including one that was temporarily closed by the state last August.
 
Let’s put this into perspective. Florida has about 38,000 licensed public food-service establishments and, as reported here, an inadequate staff of inspectors to make sure they follow rules designed to protect our health and safety. What’s more, most violations don’t draw fines. When a restaurant gets slapped with a fine, you can be sure it screwed up and may have even ignored warnings.

So, we’re not just going out of our way here to make Reiley look silly but we do think she should have taken time to consult Fined Dining or the state’s search tool and included in her report at least some of what she would have found.

In fairness, some of the violations are not of a nature to send you on a dash for the nearest commode, though some are, nor are some of the fines particularly large, though a few are. We also think it’s only fair to note that fines listed here are initial fines listed by the state and may not equal fines actually paid. Beyond that you be the judge.

Listed below are Reiley’s mmmmmys that showed up in state files. We’ve listed locations, initial fine totals and, in a few cases, some additional explanations. All of the information is derived from public records. You can find more details at the state’s search tool. You can see fine totals at our own Fined Dining search page.

Ceviche Tapas Bar & Restaurant - 2109 Bayshore Blvd. in Tampa was fined $250 for one violation in 2006. See the state’s search tool for more recent inspection activity.

Chipotle Mexican Grill at 3700 Park Blvd. in Pinellas Park was fined $250 for one violation in October 2006. Chipotle Mexican Grill at 2660 Gulf-to-Bay Blvd. in Clearwater was fined $500 for two violations in October 2006.

Mystic Fish at 3253 Tampa Road in Palm Harbor was fined $750 for three violations in October 2006 and $1,000 for one violation in October 2007. Records show that this restaurant was temporarily closed by the state last August. Among critical violations listed is this: “Critical. Observed roach activity as evidenced by live roaches found. Approximately 15 live adult german roaches observed behind dishmachine, 10 baby roaches by dishmachine.” And there is this: “Critical. Observed toxic container reused for food storage. Potatoes, soups.”



Salt Rock Grill at 19325 Gulf Blvd. in Indian Shores was fined $1,250 for seven violations in August 2005. Check the state search tool for more recent information.

Marlin Darlin at 2819 West Bay Drive in Belleair Bluffs was fined $650 for three violations in July 2007.



Vino e Pasta at 3603 W. Gandy Blvd. in Tampa was fined $250 for one violation in December 2005.

Shepard’s Beach Resort at 601-619 S. Gulfview Blvd. in Clearwater Beach was fined $400 for two violations in May 2006.

Cafe Ponte ffice:smarttags” />at 13505 Icot Blvd. in Largo was fined $1,950 for 10 violations in November 2007. Read more here.

Kelly’s For Just About Anything, at 319 Main St. in Dunedin was fined $1,000 for four violations in February 2006.