Restaurant Makeover Explained

Runtime:30 or 60 minutes
(per episode)
Country:Canada
Num Seasons:5
Num Episodes:68

Restaurant Makeover is a television series on HGTV Canada that currently airs as reruns on the Food Network Canada and HGTV Canada, as well as the Fine Living channel and Food Network in the United States, DTour and in over 16 other countries worldwide. The pilot episode starred designer Robin De Groot and chef Brad Long in the Coco's Cafe. Most of the restaurants involved in the series were located in the Greater Toronto Area. The series was rebooted as Restaurant Takeover on Food Network Canada, and aired for 2 seasons in 2012 and 2013.

Synopsis

It is hosted by chefs Brad Long, Rene Chauvin, Lynn Crawford, Massimo Capra, Corbin Tomaszeski, David Adjey, and Susur Lee along with designers Robin De Groot, Meredith Heron, Cherie Nicole Stinson, Jessica Cotton, Glen Peloso, Brenda Bent, Cheryl Torrenueva, Lisa North, and Jonathan Furlong, who perform renovation makeovers on restaurants desiring transformation.

The premise of the show is to challenge two restaurant professionals, one designer and one chef, to overhaul a struggling restaurant with a very limited budget and time. Originally the show would match funds provided by the restaurant owners up to $20,000; however, that decreased to just $15,000 as the show moved into its later seasons.

Criticism

Although the show's premise is to help struggling restaurants, a number of establishments have failed shortly after their makeover — sometimes before the episode of the show featuring the restaurant had aired, thus not allowing them to reap the benefits of added exposure. Some critics held the opinion that participating in Restaurant Makeover was a "kiss of death" for failing restaurants. However, it was noted that given the dire condition of some participants' establishments, even a significant change could not salvage the business.[1] [2] [3] [4] [5]

List of renovated restaurants

Season 1

Restaurant Name Original Name Location Chef Designer Still Open? Notes
Babelfish Bistro N/A Guelph, ON David Adjey Robin De Groot
Cocoron N/A Toronto, ON Via Oliveto Rene Chauvin

Season 2

Restaurant Name Original Name Location Chef Designer Still Open? Notes
Aftermath Cafe N/A Toronto, ON Lynn Crawford Robin De Groot Renamed "Events Cafe", then closed
Bravi Restaurant N/A Toronto, ON Massimo Capra Glen Peloso
College Street Bar N/A Toronto, ON David Adjey Robin De Groot
First Class Delites N/A Toronto, ON Lynn Crawford Cherie Stinson
High Point Restaurant N/A Mississauga, ON David Adjey Meredith Heron Closed and on Lease
Higher Groundz Cafe N/A Mississauga, ON Brad Long Glen Peloso Now Raw Aura Organic Cuisine.
Innocenti Restaurant N/A Toronto, ON Lynn Crawford Meredith Heron Was KiWe, now Ruby Soho.
Monkey Bar and Grill N/A Toronto, ON Lynn Crawford Glen Peloso Re-renovated in 2015
Montana Roadhouse N/A Toronto, ON David Adjey Lisa North Now The Ballroom
Old York Bar and Grill N/A Toronto, ON Massimo Capri Cherie Stinson Closed Dec 23, 2022
Ossawippi Express Dining Cars N/A Orillia, ON David Adjey Robin De Groot Owner declared bankruptcy in 2010.
The Empress Restaurant N/A Toronto, ON Brad Long Lisa North
The Town Grill N/A Toronto, ON Jason Rosso Cherie Stinson Now Omi Sushi.

Season 3

Restaurant Name Original Name Location Chef Designer Still Open? Notes
Brooklyn's Bar and Grill N/A Burlington, ON David Adjey Robin De Groot
Cafe Asia N/A Toronto, ON Lynn Crawford Cherie Stinson
Casa Mendoza N/A Toronto, ON Lynn Crawford Matt Robinson soon to be condo development
Quattro 4 Ragazze Europe Planet Toronto, ON Corbin Tomaszeski Meredith Heron
Forte Restaurant N/A N/A Corbin Tomaszeski Robin Fraser
Grappa Ristorante N/A Toronto, ON Brad Long Robin Fraser/Meredith Heron
Peridot Resto Lounge Ithaca Restaurant Toronto, ON Brad Long Meredith Heron Closed in 2014, Now Firkin on Bloor
Jeremiah's Bullfrog Cafe N/A Toronto, ON David Adjey Jessica Cotton
Karma's Cafe N/A Peterborough, ON Lynn Crawford Glen Peloso
Kokkino Restaurant and Lounge N/A Toronto, ON Lynn Crawford Meredith Heron Closed in 2010
Latitude Wine Bar and Grill N/A Toronto, ON David Adjey Robin Fraser
Le Cafe Vert N/A Toronto, ON Massimo Capra Cheryl Torrenueva See Footnotes[6]
Lüb Bistro Lounge N/A Toronto, ON David Adjey Glen Peloso
Natchos Thai Thai Cafe N/A Toronto, ON David Adjey Meredith Heron
Peroni's Pizzeria N/A Mississauga, ON Massimo Capra Glen Peloso
Phil's Original BBQ N/A Toronto, ON David Adjey Meredith Heron Close 2014, now Buster Rhino's Southern BBQ
PJ O'Brien N/A St. Lawrence, Toronto, ON Corbin Tomaszeski Cherie Stinson
Reliable Fish & Chips N/A Leslieville, Toronto, ON Corbin Tomaszeski Meredith Heron
Rubicon Grill N/A Mississauga, ON Lynn Crawford Glen Peloso Closure due to fire[7]
Saigon Flower Restaurant N/A West Queen West, Toronto, ON Corbin Tomaszeski Jessica Cotton
Side Door Grill N/A Toronto, ON Lynn Crawford Matt Robinson
Six Steps Spinello Toronto, ON Massimo Capra Meredith Heron Now The Bowery[8]
St. Clair Village Cafe N/A Toronto, ON Massimo Capra Cherie Stinson Now Pizza e Pazzi
Stoney's Bar & Grill N/A Toronto, ON David Adjey Glen Peloso
The Boathouse Restaurant N/A Woodview, ON Corbin Tomaszeski Meredith Heron
The Office Sports Bar and Grill N/A Toronto, ON Corbin Tomaszeski Meredith Heron Now The Longest Yard

Season 4

Restaurant Name Original Name Location Chef Designer Still Open? Notes
Aggie Martin N/A Brampton, ON David Adjey Glen Peloso Now Green Cup Roastery is in the space.
Bagel World N/A Toronto, ON Corbin Tomaszeski Robin Fraser
Nook Bakerberry Caffe Toronto, ON Corbin Tomaszeski Jonathan Furlong
Cork & Cabbage Bistro Aubergine Toronto, ON Lynn Crawford Cherie Stinson Closed before show aired. Reopened under new ownership as JAM Cafe[9]
Bulldog Cafe N/A Toronto, ON Massimo Capra Meredith Heron Has expanded to multiple locations.
Calypso Hut N/A N/A Massimo Capra Robin Fraser
Dhaba Indian Excellence N/A Toronto, ON Susur Lee Brenda Bent
Konrad Lounge Di and Gabby's Etobicoke, Toronto, ON Massimo Capra Tracy Kundell
Dooney's N/A Toronto, ON [10] Corbin Tomaszeski Jonathan Furlong See Footnotes[11]
The Citizen Essence Toronto, ON [12] Lynn Crawford Brenda Bent This restaurant was purchased and made over again by Lynn Crawford and Cherie Stinson.[13]
Golden Flame Restaurant N/A Richmond Hill, ON Massimo Capra Meredith Heron
Hamar Weyne N/A Toronto, ON Corbin Tomaszeski Tracy Kundell
Hollingers N/A Toronto, ON Lynn Crawford Cherie Stinson
Hollywood Panini N/A Richmond Hill, ON Massimo Capra Glen Peloso Now Greek Xpress.
Il Papagallo N/A Oakville, ON Corbin Tomaszeski Tracy Kundell Now Corks Restaurant.
Jonathan's N/A Woodbridge, ON David Adjey Glen Peloso
Kensington's N/A Toronto, ON Brad Long Glen Peloso
La Cabana N/A N/A David Adjey Glen Peloso
Massimo's N/A Toronto, ON Massimo Capra Brenda Bent Was temporarily closed due to fire. New locations on Queen West and also College were renamed Vinny Massimo's,[14] [15] but were closed around winter 2014.
The Olive Branch Mighty Mike's Toronto, ON Lynn Crawford Jonathan Furlong
Rifca's Mediterranean Kitchen Pita Stop Richmond Hill, ON Brad Long Glen Peloso
Roma Ristorante N/A Toronto, ON David Adjey Cheryl Torrenueva Under new ownership.
Flame Bar & Grill Seashell Seafood N/A David Adjey Cheryl Torrenueva Now Pho 88.
The Central N/A N/A Corbin Tomaszeski Brenda Bent
The Richmond Rogue N/A Toronto, ON Lynn Crawford Meredith Heron
Waterfall Martini Lounge N/A N/A David Adjey Jonathan Furlong

Season 5

Restaurant Name Original Name Location Chef Designer Still Open? Notes
A Catered Affair's Cafe N/A Milton, ON Lynn Crawford Cherie Stinson now Grill Daddy
Cocina Lucero Arre Burrito Toronto, ON Lynn Crawford Cherie Stinson
Bacchus Roti N/A Toronto, ON Brad Long Meredith Heron
Bon Vivant N/A Toronto, ON Massimo Capra Glen Peloso Closed in 2013
Church Street Diner N/A Toronto, ON Lynn Crawford Glen Peloso For reasons which have never been publicly clarified, the restaurant remained closed for over a year after the renovation before finally reopening in 2010.[16] They have since closed the restaurant according to their Facebook page.
County Fish and Chips N/A Port Credit, ON Corbin Tomaszeski Meredith Heron
De Great Iron Pot N/A Scarborough, ON Corbin Tomaszeski Cheryl Torrenueva
Earth Indian N/A North York, ON Brad Long Jonathan Furlong
Attilio's 1957 Gippino's Toronto, ON Michael Bonacini Meredith Heron Closed after a fire.
Joe Boo's Cookoos N/A Thornhill, ON Michael Bonacini Glen Peloso
Cluck, Grunt and Low Riviera Toronto, ON Lynn Crawford Brenda Bent Now Puck 'N Wings.
Locavore Slippery Boot Toronto, ON Brad Long Meredith Heron Became Trillium Bistro, now La Cascina.[17]
Tresca Trattoria N/A Richmond Hill, ON Corbin Tomaszeski Tracy Kundell New ownership and called 'Bathurst St. Deli' which was later renamed 'Bathurst St. Bistro', which was later sold and is currently 'Capital Pizzeria and Grill'

External links

Notes and References

  1. http://torontoist.com/2008/01/villain_restaur.php Villain: Restaurant Makeover
  2. http://www.macleans.ca/culture/lifestyle/article.jsp?content=20080122_094626_5624 The Curse of The Restaurant Makeover
  3. http://www.chowhound.com/topics/105414 Restaurant Makeover
  4. http://www.tribemagazine.com/board/showthread.php?t=137506 Tribe Magazine: Restaurant Makeover Curse
  5. http://www.tasteto.com/2007/08/06/to-tidbits-monday-august-6th/ Restaurant Makeover
  6. http://www.blogto.com/deadpool/2009/01/le_cafe_vert_in_the_deadpool/ "Le Cafe Vert in the Deadpool?"
  7. http://www.mississauga.com/article/27843 "Fire closes Lakeshore Rd."
  8. http://totastings.blogspot.com/2011/06/bowery-launches-on-colborne-street-in.html "The Bowery Launches on Colborne Street in Toronto"
  9. http://www.macleans.ca/culture/lifestyle/article.jsp?content=20080122_094626_5624 The Curse of The Restaurant Makeover
  10. 511 Bloor St. W on check
  11. http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/toronto/archive/2008/06/19/end-of-an-era-for-dooney-s-caf-233.aspx "End of an era for Dooney's Café"
  12. 790 Queens St. W can be seen in front window during reveal, CN Tower seen in background of road shot
  13. http://www.nowtoronto.com/food/story.cfm?content=174358 Lynn Crawford’s makeover
  14. http://www.blogto.com/eat_drink/2009/09/after_fire_massimos_to_reopen_on_queen/ Massimo's To Reopen on Queen
  15. http://vinnymassimos.ca/ Vinny Massimo's
  16. http://www.xtra.ca/public/Toronto/Church_St_Diner_reopens-8298.aspx "Church St Diner reopens"
  17. http://ellidavis.com/2009/08/locavare-becomes-trillium-bistro "How Locavore became Trillium Bistro: The Death of a Fine Restaurant"