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.Villain: Restaurant Makeover The TorontoistThe Curse of The Restaurant Makeover MacleansRestaurant Makeover ChowhoundTribe Magazine: Restaurant Makeover Curse Tribe MagazineRestaurant Makeover Taste TO
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 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 Capra 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 Following the demolition of the original structure, the site was cleared and developed into a condominium complex and the adjoining Silver Moon Drive. 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"Le Cafe Vert in the Deadpool?", [BlogTO], January 19, 2009 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 Closed in 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 a fire."Fire closes Lakeshore Rd.", [Mississauga.com], Mar 10, 2009 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."The Bowery Launches on Colborne Street in Toronto", June 29, 2011 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. 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 the episode aired. Reopened under new ownership as JAM Cafe.The Curse of The Restaurant Makeover MacLeans Bulldog Cafe N/A Toronto, ON Massimo Capra Meredith Heron Has since 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 511 Bloor St. W on check Corbin Tomaszeski Jonathan Furlong See Footnotes"End of an era for Dooney's Café". National Post, June 19, 2008. UPDATE: re-opened "Dooney's Cafe, once an Annex icon, moves west" The Citizen Essence Toronto, ON 790 Queens St. W can be seen in front window during reveal, CN Tower seen in background of road shot Lynn Crawford Brenda Bent This restaurant was purchased and renovated by Lynn Crawford and Cherie Stinson.Lynn Crawford’s makeover NOW Magazine Golden Flame Restaurant N/A Richmond Hill, ON Massimo Capra Meredith Heron Now The Meat Zone. 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 a fire. New locations on Queen West and also College were renamed Vinny Massimo's,Massimo's To Reopen on Queen blogTOVinny Massimo's 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 Now Woody Wood Burgers. 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 disclosed, the restaurant remained closed for over a year after the renovation before finally reopening in 2010."Church St Diner reopens". Xtra!, February 24, 2010. 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 due to 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."How Locavore became Trillium Bistro: The Death of a Fine Restaurant", [ElliDavis], August 3, 2009 Tresca Trattoria N/A Richmond Hill, ON Corbin Tomaszeski Tracy Kundell Under new ownership, the restaurant was renamed Bathurst St. Deli, then later became Bathurst St. Bistro. It was subsequently sold and is now operating as Capital Pizzeria and Grill.
References
External links Episode list from Food Network Canada Episode list from HGTV