| Restaurant Makeover | |
|---|---|
| Format | Makeover, Food reality television series |
| Starring | Chefs: Brad Long Corbin Tomaszeski David Adjey Lynn Crawford Massimo Capra Michael Bonacini Rene Chauvin Susur Lee Designers: Cherie Nicole Stinson Glen Peloso Jessica Cotton Meredith Heron Robin De Groot Brenda Bent Cheryl Torrenueva Foreman: Igor Shamraychuk |
| Country of origin | Canada |
| No. of seasons | 5 |
| No. of episodes | 68 |
| Production | |
| Running time | 30 or 60 minutes (per episode) |
| Broadcast | |
| Original channel | Food Network Canada HGTV Canada |
| Original run | October 2, 2005 – January 2008 |
Restaurant Makeover is a closed television series which 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, TVtropolis 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.
Contents |
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.
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]
| Restaurant Name | Original Name | Location | Chef | Designer | Still Open? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Babelfish Bistro | N/A | N/A | David Adjey | Robin De Groot | Yes | |
| Coco's Cafe | N/A | N/A | Brad Long | Robin De Groot | Yes | |
| Full Circle Cafe | N/A | N/A | Brad Long | Meredith Heron | Yes | |
| Human Bean | N/A | N/A | Lynn Crawford | Robin De Groot | Yes | |
| Lakes Bar and Grill | N/A | N/A | Lynn Crawford | Cherie Stinson | No | |
| Oasis Restaurant | N/A | N/A | David Adjey | Meredith Heron | No | |
| Pinnacle Restaurant Niagara | N/A | Niagara Falls, ON | Lynn Crawford | Robin De Groot | Yes | Now part of the Tower Hotel. |
| Silk Road Cafe | N/A | N/A | David Adjey | Cherie Stinson | Yes | |
| Tara Inn | N/A | N/A | David Adjey | Glen Peloso | Yes | |
| The Grapefruit Moon | N/A | The Annex, Toronto, ON | Rene Chauvin | Meredith Heron | Yes | after reverting back to their original design |
| The Liberty | N/A | N/A | Lynn Crawford | Glen Peloso | Yes | |
| The Rosedale Diner | N/A | N/A | Brad Long | Cherie Stinson | Yes | |
| Via Oliveto | N/A | N/A | Rene Chauvin | Glen Peloso | No |
| Restaurant Name | Original Name | Location | Chef | Designer | Still Open? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aftermath Cafe | N/A | N/A | Lynn Crawford | Robin De Groot | No | |
| Bravi Restaurant | N/A | N/A | Massimo Capra | Glen Peloso | Yes | |
| College Street Bar | N/A | Toronto,ON | David Adjey | Robin De Groot | Yes | |
| First Class Delites | N/A | N/A | Lynn Crawford | Cherie Stinson | Yes | |
| High Point Restaurant | N/A | Mississauga, ON | David Adjey | Meredith Heron | Yes | |
| Higher Groundz Cafe | N/A | Mississauga, ON | Brad Long | Glen Peloso | No | Now Raw Aura Organic Cuisine. |
| Innocenti Restaurant | N/A | Toronto, ON | Lynn Crawford | Meredith Heron | No | Now KiWe(King West Kitchen). |
| Monkey Bar and Grill | N/A | Toronto, ON | Lynn Crawford | Glen Peloso | Yes | |
| Montana Roadhouse | N/A | N/A | David Adjey | Lisa North | No | Now The Ballroom |
| Old York Bar and Grill | N/A | N/A | Massimo Capri | Cherie Stinson | Yes | |
| Ossawippi Express Dining Cars | N/A | Orillia, ON | David Adjey | Robin De Groot | No | Owner declared bankruptcy in 2010. |
| The Empress Restaurant | N/A | N/A | Brad Long | Lisa North | Yes | |
| The Town Grill | N/A | Toronto, ON | Jason Rosso | Cherie Stinson | No | Now Omi Sushi. |
| Restaurant Name | Original Name | Location | Chef | Designer | Still Open? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brooklyn's Bar and Grill | N/A | N/A | David Adjey | Robin De Groot | Yes | |
| Cafe Asia | N/A | N/A | Lynn Crawford | Cherie Stinson | No | |
| Casa Mendoza | N/A | N/A | Lynn Crawford | Matt Robinson | Yes | |
| Quattro 4 Ragazze | Europe Planet | N/A | Corbin Tomaszeski | Meredith Heron | Yes | |
| Forte Restaurant | N/A | N/A | Corbin Tomaszeski | Robin Fraser | No | |
| Grappa Ristorante | N/A | N/A | Brad Long | Robin Fraser/Meredith Heron | Yes | |
| Peridot Resto Lounge | Ithaca Restaurant | N/A | Brad Long | Meredith Heron | Yes | |
| Jeremiah's Bullfrog Cafe | N/A | N/A | David Adjey | Jessica Cotton | No | |
| Karma's Cafe | N/A | Peterborough, ON | Lynn Crawford | Glen Peloso | Yes | |
| Kokkino Restaurant and Lounge | N/A | N/A | Lynn Crawford | Meredith Heron | Yes | |
| Latitude Wine Bar and Grill | N/A | N/A | David Adjey | Robin Fraser | No | |
| Le Cafe Vert | N/A | N/A | Massimo Capra | Cheryl Torrenueva | No | See Footnotes[6] |
| Lüb Bistro Lounge | N/A | N/A | David Adjey | Glen Peloso | No | |
| Natchos Thai Thai Cafe | N/A | N/A | David Adjey | Meredith Heron | No | |
| Peroni's Pizzeria | N/A | Mississauga, ON | Massimo Capra | Glen Peloso | Yes | |
| Phil's Original BBQ | N/A | Toronto, ON | David Adjey | Meredith Heron | Yes | |
| PJ O'Brien | N/A | N/A | Corbin Tomaszeski | Cherie Stinson | Yes | |
| Reliable Fish & Chips | N/A | Leslieville, Toronto, ON | Lynn Crawford | Cherie Stinson | Yes | |
| Rubicon Grill | N/A | Mississauga, ON | Lynn Crawford | Glen Peloso | No | Closure due to fire[7] |
| Saigon Flower Restaurant | N/A | N/A | Corbin Tomaszeski | Jessica Cotton | Yes | |
| Side Door Grill | N/A | N/A | Lynn Crawford | Matt Robinson | No | |
| Six Steps | Spinello | Toronto, ON | Massimo Capra | Meredith Heron | No | Now The Bowery[8] |
| St. Clair Village Cafe | N/A | Toronto, ON | Massimo Capra | Cherie Stinson | No | Now Pizza e Pazzi |
| Stoney's Bar & Grill | N/A | N/A | David Adjey | Glen Peloso | No | |
| The Boathouse Restaurant | N/A | N/A | Corbin Tomaszeski | Meredith Heron | Yes | |
| The Office Sports Bar and Grill | N/A | N/A | Corbin Tomaszeski | Meredith Heron | No | Now The Longest Yard Restaurant & Bar. |
| Restaurant Name | Original Name | Location | Chef | Designer | Still Open? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aggie Martin | N/A | Brampton, ON | David Adjey | Glen Peloso | No | Green Cup Roastery |
| Bagel World | N/A | Toronto, ON | Corbin Tomaszeski | Robin Fraser | Yes | |
| Nook | Bakerberry Caffe | Toronto, ON | Corbin Tomaszeski | Jonathan Furlong | Yes | |
| Cork & Cabbage | Bistro Aubergine | Toronto, ON | Lynn Crawford | Cherie Stinson | No | Closed before show aired. Reopened under new ownership as JAM Cafe[9] |
| Bulldog Cafe | N/A | Toronto, ON | Massimo Capra | Meredith Heron | Yes | |
| Calypso Hut | N/A | N/A | Massimo Capra | Robin Fraser | No | |
| Dhaba Indian Excellence | N/A | Toronto, ON | Susur Lee | Brenda Bent | Yes | |
| Konrad Lounge | Di and Gabby's | Etobicoke, Toronto, ON | Massimo Capra | Tracy Kundell | Yes | |
| Dooney's | N/A | N/A | Corbin Tomaszeski | Jonathan Furlong | No | See Footnotes[10] |
| The Citizen | Essence | N/A | Lynn Crawford | Brenda Bent | Yes | This restaurant was purchased and made over again by Lynn Crawford and Cherie Stinson.[11] |
| Golden Flame Restaurant | N/A | Richmond Hill, ON | Massimo Capra | Meredith Heron | No | |
| Hamar Weyne | N/A | Toronto, ON | Corbin Tomaszeski | Tracy Kundell | Yes | |
| Hollingers | N/A | Toronto, ON | Lynn Crawford | Cherie Stinson | No | |
| Hollywood Panini | N/A | Richmond Hill, ON | Massimo Capra | Glen Peloso | No | Now Greek Xpress. |
| Il Papagallo | N/A | Oakville, ON | Corbin Tomaszeski | Tracy Kundell | No | Now Corks Restaurant. |
| Jonathan's | N/A | Woodbridge, ON | David Adjey | Glen Peloso | Yes | |
| Kensington's | N/A | Toronto, ON | Brad Long | Glen Peloso | Yes | |
| La Cabana | N/A | N/A | David Adjey | Glen Peloso | Yes | |
| Massimo's | N/A | N/A | Massimo Capra | Brenda Bent | Yes | Was temporarily closed due to fire. Now a second location exists on Queen St. Renamed Vinny Massimo's.[12][13] |
| The Olive Branch | Mighty Mike's | Toronto, ON | Lynn Crawford | Jonathan Furlong | Yes | |
| Rifca's Mediterranean Kitchen | Pita Stop | Richmond Hill, ON | Brad Long | Glen Peloso | Yes | |
| Roma Ristorante | N/A | Toronto, ON | David Adjey | Cheryl Torrenueva | Yes | Under new ownership. |
| Flame Bar & Grill | Seashell Seafood | N/A | David Adjey | Cheryl Torrenueva | No | Now Pho 88. |
| The Central | N/A | N/A | Corbin Tomaszeski | Brenda Bent | Yes | |
| The Richmond Rogue | N/A | N/A | Lynn Crawford | Meredith Heron | Yes | |
| Waterfall Martini Lounge | N/A | N/A | David Adjey | Jonathan Furlong | No |
| Restaurant Name | Original Name | Location | Chef | Designer | Still Open? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A Catered Affair's Cafe | N/A | Milton, ON | Lynn Crawford | Cherie Stinson | Yes | |
| Cocina Lucero | Arre Burrito | Toronto, ON | Lynn Crawford | Cherie Stinson | Yes | |
| Bacchus Roti | N/A | Toronto, ON | Brad Long | Meredith Heron | Yes | |
| Bon Vivant | N/A | Toronto, ON | Massimo Capra | Glen Peloso | Yes | |
| Church Street Diner | N/A | Toronto, ON | Lynn Crawford | Glen Peloso | Yes | |
| County Fish and Chips | N/A | Port Credit, ON | Corbin Tomaszeski | Meredith Heron | Yes | |
| De Great Iron Pot | N/A | Scarborough, ON | Corbin Tomaszeski | Cheryl Torrenueva | No | |
| Earth Indian | N/A | North York, ON | Brad Long | Jonathan Furlong | Yes | |
| Attilio's 1957 | Gippino's | Toronto, ON | Michael Bonacini | Meredith Heron | Yes | Temporarily closed after a fire. |
| Joe Boo's Cookoos | N/A | Thornhill, ON | Michael Bonacini | Glen Peloso | Yes | |
| Cluck, Grunt and Low | Riviera | Toronto, ON | Lynn Crawford | Brenda Bent | No | Now Puck 'N Wings. |
| Locavore | Slippery Boot | Toronto, ON | Brad Long | Meredith Heron | No | Became Trillium Bistro, now La Cascina.[14] |
| Tresca Trattoria | N/A | Richmond Hill, ON | Corbin Tomaszeski | Tracy Kundell | No | Now Bathurst St. Deli. |