Ember's 63 Health Violations Include Ignoring Fire Department to Add 50 Seats



On January 31st, the popular downtown nightclub Ember was found to have 63 health violations.
  1. They increased seating capacity from 160 to 210 without providing written approval from the local fire authority and wastewater provider. 
  2. They removed the handwash sink from the food preparation/dishwashing are, removed the sink in the tower bar outside. And worst of all: they turned the hand sink on cook line into dump sink. 
  3. No soap provided at handwash sink, bar and outside hand sink.
  4. The bar is licensed for 160 seats and 210 seats inside and outside. 
  5. Their brisket is supposed to be stored at 135 degrees: they had it stored at 68 degrees. 
  6. The raw fish (calamari) that is to be held at 41 degrees was being held at 75°F.

Violation  Observation
51-11-4  Basic - Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured. **Warning**
24-24-4  Basic - Clean equipment and utensils stored in a room that is not fully enclosed (open to outdoors/screened). Clean glasses and equipment stored long term in outside bar area that does not enclose. **Warning**
24-05-4  Basic - Clean glasses, cups, bowls, plates, pots and pans not stored inverted or in a protected manner. Clean strainer pot on rack and carafes and utensils on line. **Warning**
40-04-4  Basic - Cosmetics/toiletries stored with food, clean equipment and utensils, clean linens or single-service items. Pomade hair product stored on bar cooler. **Warning**
32-12-4  Basic - Covered waste receptacle not provided in women's bathroom. Outside bathroom **Warning**
14-09-4  Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. **Warning**
12B-07-4  Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee drink stored with divers and above thawing food in sink. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
40-06-4  Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area. Jacket on food rack. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
13-07-4  Basic - Employee wearing jewelry other than a plain ring on their hands/arms while preparing food, cook wearing rubber band bracelet on wrist. **Warning**
13-03-4  Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation, expediter putting fries in box. **Warning**
14-11-4  Basic - Equipment in poor repair, door of reach in cooler broken. **Warning**
51-15-4  Basic - Establishment increased seating without providing written approval from the local fire authority and wastewater provider, licensed for 160 seats and establishment has approx. 210 seats inside and outside. **Warning**
29-09-4  Basic - Faucet/handle missing at plumbing fixture, outside bar hand sink. **Warning**
36-22-4  Basic - Floor area(s) covered with standing water by water heater. **Warning**
36-17-4  Basic - Floor tiles missing by water heater. **Warning**
08B-38-4  Basic - Food stored on floor. Walk in freezer bread on floor. **Warning**
14-42-4  Basic - Hood filter missing from automatic fire suppression/exhaust system. **Warning**
08B-53-4  Basic - Ice making machine located outside in outside bar area and not on original approved plan. **Warning**
10-13-4  Basic - In-use ice scoop for ice machine located outside not stored in a protected manner between uses. Stored on dirty surface. **Warning**
10-17-4  Basic - In-use pizza cutter stored in between pieces of equipment on cook line. **Warning**
10-01-4  Basic - In-use utensil in nonpotentially hazardous (non-time/temperature control for safety) food not stored with handle above top of food within a closed container., scoop in flour container. **Warning**
10-06-4  Basic - In-use utensil not stored with handle above the top of potentially hazardous (time/temperature control for safety) food and rim of the container. Utensils in running water. **Warning**
22-08-4  Basic - Interior of hit box has heavy accumulation of grease/food debris. **Warning**
22-19-4  Basic - Interior of microwave soiled with encrusted food debris. **Warning**
14-36-5  Basic - Interior of outside ice machine in disrepair/has exposed insulation. **Warning**
38-07-4  Basic - Lights in food preparation, food storage or warewashing area missing the proper shield, sleeve coatings or covers, reach in cooler. **Warning**
05-09-4  Basic - No conspicuously located ambient air temperature thermometer in holding unit cook line reach in cooler. **Warning**
08B-41-4  Basic - Non-bulk food being prepared on a smoker outside, chicken wings being cooked on smoker. Smoker can only be used for bulk long-term cooking. **Warning**
16-46-4  Basic - Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning. **Warning**
10-12-4  Basic - Rice scoop stored on soiled surface between uses. **Warning**
25-11-5  Basic - Single-service articles stored outside or in a room/shed that is not fully enclosed (open to outdoors/screened), by outside bar. **Warning**
38-04-4  Basic - Ten (10) foot-candles of light at least 30 inches from floor not provided in walk-in cooler. Light not working in walk in cooler. **Warning**
06-03-4  Basic - Thawed portions of ready-to-eat, potentially hazardous (time/temperature control for safety) food rose above 41 degrees Fahrenheit while being thawed under running water. Calamari 75°F thawing in sink in water. **Warning**
08B-17-4  Basic - Unwashed fruits/vegetables stored with ready-to-eat food. Walk in cooler unwashed strawberries, tomatoes over feta and washed fruit/veg. **Warning**
36-26-4  Basic - Wall soiled with accumulated black debris in dishwashing area. **Warning**
29-03-4  Basic - Water draining onto floor surface, leak for wall pipe behind water heater tank. **Warning**
21-12-4  Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. **Warning**
02D-01-5  Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name, squeeze bottles on cook line. **Warning**
12A-07-4  High Priority - Employee failed to wash hands before changing gloves and/or putting on gloves to work with food. **Warning**
01D-01-4  High Priority - Nonexempt fish offered raw or undercooked has not undergone proper parasite destruction. Fish must be fully cooked or discarded. For undercooked salmon **Warning**
03A-02-4  High Priority - Potentially hazardous (time/temperature control for safety) food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. TCS foods in cook line reach in cooler( fresh mozzarella 48, cooked steak 48/49, cooked chicken 54, cut lettuce 47/49, cut arugula 50, shredded cheese 51). And cut lettuce 45°F. TCS food in cook line drawers ( cooked pasta 47/48, cooked sausage 50, cut tomato 52, butter 53, raw steak kabobs 47/50) **Warning**
03B-01-4  High Priority - Potentially hazardous (time/temperature control for safety) hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit or above. Cooked onions 75°F sitting out at room temperature on cook line. Brisket in hit box since Sunday 68°F. **Warning**
08A-01-4  High Priority - Raw animal food stored over cooked food. Raw refrigerated salmon (cooking-not frozen yet) over open fries in reach in freezer. **Warning**
08A-22-4  High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from one another based upon minimum required cooking temperature in reach-in cooler. Raw burger over raw shrimp. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
03A-19-4  High Priority - Raw fish cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Calamari thawing under water 75°F. **Warning**
02C-01-4  High Priority - Ready-to-eat, potentially hazardous (time/temperature control for safety) food marked with a date that exceeds 7 days after opening/preparation. Black bean mix and baked beans dated 1/23/17. Creamy artichoke dated 1/24/17. **Warning**
01B-24-4  High Priority - Ready-to-eat, potentially hazardous (time/temperature control for safety) food not consumed/sold within 7 days after opening/preparation. See stop sale. Black bean mix dated 1/23/17. Baked beans dated 1/23/17. Creamy artichoke dated 1/24/17. **Warning**
01B-02-4  High Priority - Stop Sale issued on potentially hazardous (time/temperature control for safety) food due to temperature abuse. TCS foods in cook line reach in cooler, fresh mozzarella, shredded cheese, cut lettuce, cut arugula). TCS food in cook line drawers(cooked pasta, cooked sausage, butter, cut tomato, raw steak kabobs). Cooked brisket 68°F from Sunday. **Warning**
22-02-4  Intermediate - Accumulation of food debris/grease on food-contact surface, pans stored as clean with black substance and build up. **Warning**
22-22-4  Intermediate - Encrusted material on can opener blade. **Warning**
03C-90-4  Intermediate - Establishment is conducting non-continuous cooking of raw animal foods and the written procedures are not available upon request. Par cooking chicken and no written procedure. **Warning**
53A-03-5  Intermediate - Food manager certification expired. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at http://www.myfloridalicense.com/dbpr/hr/food-lodging/managercertification.html. Lionel Rodriguez expired 9/2016. **Warning**
31A-04-4  Intermediate - Handwash sink removed from food preparation/dishwashing area. Must be reinstalled in the same location where removed. Hand sink in tower bar outside removed and hand sink on cook line turned into dump sink. **Warning**
22-28-4  Intermediate - Interior of reach-in cooler soiled with accumulation of food residue, bar coolers. **Warning**
31B-02-4  Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink, hand sink by dish machine and wait station and bar and by outside ice machine and outside bar. **Warning**
51-16-5  Intermediate - No plan review submitted and approved - renovations were made or are in progress. Must submit plans, plan review application and payment for plan review to DBPR H and R Plan Review office located at 2601 Blair Stone Rd., Tallahassee, FL 32399-1011. Ice machine moved outside and two compartment prep sink added in kitchen and equipment moved. **Warning**
51-14-5  Intermediate - No plan review submitted and approved - smoker added to outside bar. Must submit plans, plan review application and payment for plan review to DBPR H and R Plan Review office located at 2601 Blair Stone Rd., Tallahassee, FL 32399-1011. **Warning**
31B-03-4  Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink, bar and outside hand sink. **Warning**
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. Nells Patel cook worked here 90 days. **Warning**
22-16-4  Intermediate - Reach-in cooler bottom shelf soiled with food debris. **Warning**
02C-02-4  Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, potentially hazardous (time/temperature control for safety) food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Cooked potatoes, chef unsure of what time made. Crab cakes made on Saturday. **Warning**
22-06-4  Intermediate - Slicer blade soiled with old food debris. **Warning**
41-17-4  Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. (Degreaser) by ware wash and at bar. **Warning**

On February 2nd they got their Violations down to 23:
Violation  Observation
51-11-4  Basic - - From inspection on 2017-01-31: Basic - Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection on 2017-02-02: **Time Extended**
40-04-4  Basic - - From inspection on 2017-01-31: Basic - Cosmetics/toiletries stored with food, clean equipment and utensils, clean linens or single-service items. Pomade hair product stored on bar cooler. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection on 2017-02-02: **Time Extended**
32-12-4  Basic - - From inspection on 2017-01-31: Basic - Covered waste receptacle not provided in women's bathroom. Outside bathroom **Warning** - From follow-up inspection on 2017-02-02: **Time Extended**
14-09-4  Basic - - From inspection on 2017-01-31: Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection on 2017-02-02: **Time Extended**
14-11-4  Basic - - From inspection on 2017-01-31: Basic - Equipment in poor repair, door of reach in cooler broken. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection on 2017-02-02: Maintenance is in repairing equipment. No tcs foods stored in reach in cooler at moment **Time Extended**
51-15-4  Basic - - From inspection on 2017-01-31: Basic - Establishment increased seating without providing written approval from the local fire authority and wastewater provider, licensed for 160 seats and establishment has approx. 210 seats inside and outside. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection on 2017-02-02: **Time Extended**
29-09-4  Basic - - From inspection on 2017-01-31: Basic - Faucet/handle missing at plumbing fixture, outside bar hand sink. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection on 2017-02-02: Handle on cold side of hand wash sink in central bar is missing **Time Extended**
36-22-4  Basic - - From inspection on 2017-01-31: Basic - Floor area(s) covered with standing water by water heater. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection on 2017-02-02: **Time Extended**
36-17-4  Basic - - From inspection on 2017-01-31: Basic - Floor tiles missing by water heater. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection on 2017-02-02: **Time Extended**
08B-53-4  Basic - - From inspection on 2017-01-31: Basic - Ice making machine located outside in outside bar area and not on original approved plan. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection on 2017-02-02: **Time Extended**
10-13-4  Basic - - From inspection on 2017-01-31: Basic - In-use ice scoop for ice machine located outside not stored in a protected manner between uses. Stored on dirty surface. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection on 2017-02-02: **Time Extended**
14-36-5  Basic - - From inspection on 2017-01-31: Basic - Interior of outside ice machine in disrepair/has exposed insulation. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection on 2017-02-02: **Time Extended**
25-11-5  Basic - - From inspection on 2017-01-31: Basic - Single-service articles stored outside or in a room/shed that is not fully enclosed (open to outdoors/screened), by outside bar. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection on 2017-02-02: **Time Extended**
38-04-4  Basic - - From inspection on 2017-01-31: Basic - Ten (10) foot-candles of light at least 30 inches from floor not provided in walk-in cooler. Light not working in walk in cooler. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection on 2017-02-02: **Time Extended**
29-03-4  Basic - - From inspection on 2017-01-31: Basic - Water draining onto floor surface, leak for wall pipe behind water heater tank. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection on 2017-02-02: **Time Extended**
01D-01-4  High Priority - - From inspection on 2017-01-31: High Priority - Nonexempt fish offered raw or undercooked has not undergone proper parasite destruction. Fish must be fully cooked or discarded. For undercooked salmon **Warning** - From follow-up inspection on 2017-02-02: **Time Extended**
08A-22-4  High Priority - - From inspection on 2017-01-31: High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from one another based upon minimum required cooking temperature in reach-in cooler. Raw burger over raw shrimp. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection on 2017-02-02: **Time Extended** **Corrected On-Site**
03C-90-4  Intermediate - - From inspection on 2017-01-31: Intermediate - Establishment is conducting non-continuous cooking of raw animal foods and the written procedures are not available upon request. Par cooking chicken and no written procedure. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection on 2017-02-02: **Time Extended**
53A-03-5  Intermediate - - From inspection on 2017-01-31: Intermediate - Food manager certification expired. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at http://www.myfloridalicense.com/dbpr/hr/food-lodging/managercertification.html. Lionel Rodriguez expired 9/2016. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection on 2017-02-02: **Time Extended**
31A-04-4  Intermediate - - From inspection on 2017-01-31: Intermediate - Handwash sink removed from food preparation/dishwashing area. Must be reinstalled in the same location where removed. Hand sink in tower bar outside removed and hand sink on cook line turned into dump sink. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection on 2017-02-02: Hand wash sink in corner bar near front of patio is missing 2nd handwash sink near soda gun and ice bin. **Time Extended**
51-16-5  Intermediate - - From inspection on 2017-01-31: Intermediate - No plan review submitted and approved - renovations were made or are in progress. Must submit plans, plan review application and payment for plan review to DBPR H and R Plan Review office located at 2601 Blair Stone Rd., Tallahassee, FL 32399-1011. Ice machine moved outside and two compartment prep sink added in kitchen and equipment moved. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection on 2017-02-02: **Time Extended**
51-14-5  Intermediate - - From inspection on 2017-01-31: Intermediate - No plan review submitted and approved - smoker added to outside bar. Must submit plans, plan review application and payment for plan review to DBPR H and R Plan Review office located at 2601 Blair Stone Rd., Tallahassee, FL 32399-1011. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection on 2017-02-02: **Time Extended**
53B-13-5  Intermediate - - From inspection on 2017-01-31: 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. Nells Patel cook worked here 90 days. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection on 2017-02-02: **Time Extended**