CORTESSE'S BISTRO
172 SAN MARCO AVE · SAINT AUGUSTINE · St. Johns County · FL 32084
Inspection Summary
Violation Summary
Counts reported for this inspection visit.
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All DBPR Inspector Observations
16 full violation description(s) documented by the inspector during this visit.
High Priority 8
35A-02-6High Priority – Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. Observed two live flying insects in dry storage near bags of onions. Discussed with person in charge.
14-15-4High Priority – Nonfood-grade containers used for food storage – direct contact with food. Observed orange Home Depot Homer bucket used to store elbow macaroni soup.
08A-05-6High Priority – Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed frozen individually wrapped fish stored above frozen cakes in walk-in freezer. Not all originally packaged. Observed raw veal stored above ready to eat milk in glass door reach in cooler. Person in charge moved raw veal to another cooler. **Corrective Action Taken**
01B-13-4High Priority – Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. Observed sheet pan in glass door reach in cooler of oysters. Person in charge could not find any oyster tags.
01B-02-5High Priority – Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Observed mushroom soup (112F – Hot Holding); chicken stock (120F – Hot Holding); escargot sauce (97F – Hot Holding); elbow macaroni in bucket (120F – Hot Holding); house made red sauce (89F – Hot Holding); gravy (92F – Hot Holding) **Warning**
03A-02-5High Priority – Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed house made sauces (gravy, cream) x 4 (52-54F – Cold Holding) left on speed rack from walk-in cooler 30 mins prior to inspection per person in charge. Person in charge placed in cooler to cool. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
03F-02-5High 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. Observed garlic butter missing time mark. Butter put since 1500 per person in charge.
03B-01-6High Priority – Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed mushroom soup (112F – Hot Holding); chicken stock (120F – Hot Holding); escargot sauce (97F – Hot Holding); elbow macaroni in bucket (120F – Hot Holding); house made red sauce (89F – Hot Holding); gravy (92F – Hot Holding) Products have been left out since 1200 in various places in kitchen per person in charge. **Warning**
Intermediate 4
01C-02-4Intermediate – Establishment not maintaining clam/mussel/oyster tags for 90 days. Observed no oyster tags for last 90 days for establishment. **Repeat Violation**
31A-09-4Intermediate – Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Observed hand washing station in dry storage kitchen blocked by trash can and vacuum cleaner. Observed hand washing station in kitchen blocked by cart. Person in charge moved cart.
53A-05-6Intermediate – 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/ Observed seven food employees in establishment without food manager present.
01C-01-4Intermediate – No tag on/for original container of raw, in-shell clams/mussels/oysters. See stop sale. Observed sheet pan in glass door reach in cooler of oysters. Person in charge could not find any oyster tags.
Basic 4
24-08-4Basic – Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried – wet nesting. Observed food pans stacked in storage with visible moisture. **Repeat Violation**
36-73-4Basic – Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Observed food debris on kitchen floors under equipment.
10-07-4Basic – In-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed cooking utensils stored in 76F water on floor. Person in charge placed utensils in ware washing. **Corrective Action Taken**
23-03-4Basic – Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed multiple gaskets on small reach in coolers in kitchen soiled with food debris. **Corrected On-Site**
Inspector observations synchronized from DBPR on October 7, 2026 2:21 PM.
Violation category totals
4 observation(s)
3 observation(s)
1 observation(s)
1 observation(s)
1 observation(s)
1 observation(s)
1 observation(s)
1 observation(s)
1 observation(s)
1 observation(s)
1 observation(s)
Inspection records and inspector observations reflect conditions documented by DBPR at the time of the inspection and may not reflect current conditions.