Restaurant Makeover

{{Infobox television

| image = restaurantmakeover.jpg

| runtime = 30 or 60 minutes
(per episode)

| creator =

| 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
Tracy Kundell
Brenda Bent
Cheryl Torrenueva

Foreman:
Igor Shamraychuk

| country = Canada

| network = Food Network Canada
HGTV Canada

| first_aired = {{start date|2005|10|2}}

| last_aired = {{end date|2008|1}}

| 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.[http://torontoist.com/2008/01/villain_restaur.php Villain: Restaurant Makeover] The Torontoist[http://www.macleans.ca/culture/lifestyle/article.jsp?content=20080122_094626_5624 The Curse of The Restaurant Makeover] Macleans[http://www.chowhound.com/topics/105414 Restaurant Makeover] Chowhound[http://www.tribemagazine.com/board/showthread.php?t=137506 Tribe Magazine: Restaurant Makeover Curse] Tribe Magazine[http://www.tasteto.com/2007/08/06/to-tidbits-monday-august-6th/ Restaurant Makeover] Taste TO

List of renovated restaurants

=Season 1=

Restaurant Name	Original Name	Location	Chef	Designer	Still Open?
class="wikitable"
Babelfish Bistro	N/A	Guelph, ON	David Adjey	Robin De Groot	{{no}}
Cocoron	N/A	Toronto, ON	Via Oliveto	Rene Chauvin	{{no}}

=Season 2=

Restaurant Name	Original Name	Location	Chef	Designer	Still Open?	Notes
class="wikitable"
Aftermath Cafe	N/A	Toronto, ON	Lynn Crawford	Robin De Groot	{{no}}	Renamed "Events Cafe", then closed.
Bravi Restaurant	N/A	Toronto, ON	Massimo Capra	Glen Peloso	{{yes}}
College Street Bar	N/A	Toronto, ON	David Adjey	Robin De Groot	{{no}}
First Class Delites	N/A	Toronto, ON	Lynn Crawford	Cherie Stinson	{{yes}}
High Point Restaurant	N/A	Mississauga, ON	David Adjey	Meredith Heron	{{no}}	Closed and on Lease.
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}}	Was KiWe, now Ruby Soho.
Monkey Bar and Grill	N/A	Toronto, ON	Lynn Crawford	Glen Peloso	{{yes}}	Re-renovated in 2015.
Montana Roadhouse	N/A	Toronto, ON	David Adjey	Lisa North	{{no}}	Now The Ballroom.
Old York Bar and Grill	N/A	Toronto, ON	Massimo Capra	Cherie Stinson	{{no}}	Closed Dec 23, 2022.
Ossawippi Express Dining Cars	N/A	Orillia, ON	David Adjey	Robin De Groot	{{no}}	Owner declared bankruptcy in 2010.
The Empress Restaurant	N/A	Toronto, ON	Brad Long	Lisa North	{{yes}}
The Town Grill	N/A	Toronto, ON	Jason Rosso	Cherie Stinson	{{no}}	Now Omi Sushi.

=Season 3=

Restaurant Name	Original Name	Location	Chef	Designer	Still Open?	Notes
class="wikitable"
Brooklyn's Bar and Grill	N/A	Burlington, ON	David Adjey	Robin De Groot	{{yes}}
Cafe Asia	N/A	Toronto, ON	Lynn Crawford	Cherie Stinson	{{no}}
Casa Mendoza	N/A	Toronto, ON	Lynn Crawford	Matt Robinson	{{no}}	The site has since been developed into a condominium complex.
Quattro 4 Ragazze	Europe Planet	Toronto, ON	Corbin Tomaszeski	Meredith Heron	{{yes}}
Forte Restaurant	N/A	N/A	Corbin Tomaszeski	Robin Fraser	{{no}}
Grappa Ristorante	N/A	Toronto, ON	Brad Long	Robin Fraser / Meredith Heron	{{yes}}
Peridot Resto Lounge	Ithaca Restaurant	Toronto, ON	Brad Long	Meredith Heron	{{no}}	Closed in 2014, Now Firkin on Bloor.
Jeremiah's Bullfrog Cafe	N/A	Toronto, ON	David Adjey	Jessica Cotton	{{no}}
Karma's Cafe	N/A	Peterborough, ON	Lynn Crawford	Glen Peloso	{{yes}}
Kokkino Restaurant and Lounge	N/A	Toronto, ON	Lynn Crawford	Meredith Heron	{{No}}	Closed in 2010.
Latitude Wine Bar and Grill	N/A	Toronto, ON	David Adjey	Robin Fraser	{{no}}
Le Cafe Vert	N/A	Toronto, ON	Massimo Capra	Cheryl Torrenueva	{{no}}	See Footnotes[http://www.blogto.com/deadpool/2009/01/le_cafe_vert_in_the_deadpool/ "Le Cafe Vert in the Deadpool?"], [BlogTO], January 19, 2009
Lüb Bistro Lounge	N/A	Toronto, ON	David Adjey	Glen Peloso	{{no}}
Natchos Thai Thai Cafe	N/A	Toronto, ON	David Adjey	Meredith Heron	{{no}}
Peroni's Pizzeria	N/A	Mississauga, ON	Massimo Capra	Glen Peloso	{{no}}
Phil's Original BBQ	N/A	Toronto, ON	David Adjey	Meredith Heron	{{no}}	Closed in 2014, now Buster Rhino's Southern BBQ.
PJ O'Brien	N/A	St. Lawrence, Toronto, ON	Corbin Tomaszeski	Cherie Stinson	{{yes}}
Reliable Fish & Chips	N/A	Leslieville, Toronto, ON	Corbin Tomaszeski	Meredith Heron	{{yes}}
Rubicon Grill	N/A	Mississauga, ON	Lynn Crawford	Glen Peloso	{{no}}	Closure due to fire.[http://www.mississauga.com/article/27843 "Fire closes Lakeshore Rd."], [Mississauga.com], Mar 10, 2009
Saigon Flower Restaurant	N/A	West Queen West, Toronto, ON	Corbin Tomaszeski	Jessica Cotton	{{yes}}
Side Door Grill	N/A	Toronto, ON	Lynn Crawford	Matt Robinson	{{no}}
Six Steps	Spinello	Toronto, ON	Massimo Capra	Meredith Heron	{{no}}	Now The Bowery.[http://totastings.blogspot.com/2011/06/bowery-launches-on-colborne-street-in.html "The Bowery Launches on Colborne Street in Toronto"], June 29, 2011
St. Clair Village Cafe	N/A	Toronto, ON	Massimo Capra	Cherie Stinson	{{yes}}	Now Pizza e Pazzi.
Stoney's Bar & Grill	N/A	Toronto, ON	David Adjey	Glen Peloso	{{no}}
The Boathouse Restaurant	N/A	Woodview, ON	Corbin Tomaszeski	Meredith Heron	{{no}}
The Office Sports Bar and Grill	N/A	Toronto, ON	Corbin Tomaszeski	Meredith Heron	{{no}}	Now The Longest Yard.

=Season 4=

Restaurant Name	Original Name	Location	Chef	Designer	Still Open?	Notes
class="wikitable"
Aggie Martin	N/A	Brampton, ON	David Adjey	Glen Peloso	{{no}}	Now Green Cup Roastery is in the space.
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.[http://www.macleans.ca/culture/lifestyle/article.jsp?content=20080122_094626_5624 The Curse of The Restaurant Makeover] MacLeans
Bulldog Cafe	N/A	Toronto, ON	Massimo Capra	Meredith Heron	{{yes}}	Has since expanded to multiple locations.
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	Toronto, ON 511 Bloor St. W on check	Corbin Tomaszeski	Jonathan Furlong	{{yes}}	See Footnotes[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"]. National Post, June 19, 2008. UPDATE: re-opened [http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/dooney-s-cafe-once-an-annex-icon-moves-west-1.2847086"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	{{yes}}	This restaurant was purchased and made over again by Lynn Crawford and Cherie Stinson.[http://www.nowtoronto.com/food/story.cfm?content=174358 Lynn Crawford’s makeover] NOW Magazine
Golden Flame Restaurant	N/A	Richmond Hill, ON	Massimo Capra	Meredith Heron	{{no}}	Now The Meat Zone.
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	{{no}}
Massimo's	N/A	Toronto, ON	Massimo Capra	Brenda Bent	{{no}}	Was temporarily closed due to fire. New locations on Queen West and also College were renamed Vinny Massimo's,[http://www.blogto.com/eat_drink/2009/09/after_fire_massimos_to_reopen_on_queen/ Massimo's To Reopen on Queen] blogTO[http://vinnymassimos.ca/ Vinny Massimo's] but were closed around winter 2014.
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	{{no}}	Now Woody Wood Burgers.
Roma Ristorante	N/A	Toronto, ON	David Adjey	Cheryl Torrenueva	{{no}}	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	Toronto, ON	Lynn Crawford	Meredith Heron	{{no}}
Waterfall Martini Lounge	N/A	N/A	David Adjey	Jonathan Furlong	{{no}}

=Season 5=

Restaurant Name	Original Name	Location	Chef	Designer	Still Open?	Notes
class="wikitable"
A Catered Affair's Cafe	N/A	Milton, ON	Lynn Crawford	Cherie Stinson	{{yes}}	Now Grill Daddy.
Cocina Lucero	Arre Burrito	Toronto, ON	Lynn Crawford	Cherie Stinson	{{no}}
Bacchus Roti	N/A	Toronto, ON	Brad Long	Meredith Heron	{{yes}}
Bon Vivant	N/A	Toronto, ON	Massimo Capra	Glen Peloso	{{No}}	Closed in 2013.
Church Street Diner	N/A	Toronto, ON	Lynn Crawford	Glen Peloso	{{no}}	For reasons which have never been publicly clarified, the restaurant remained closed for over a year after the renovation before finally reopening in 2010.[http://www.xtra.ca/public/Toronto/Church_St_Diner_reopens-8298.aspx "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	{{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	{{no}}	Closed after a fire.
Joe Boo's Cookoos	N/A	Thornhill, ON	Michael Bonacini	Glen Peloso	{{no}}
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.[http://ellidavis.com/2009/08/locavare-becomes-trillium-bistro "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	{{no}}	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'.

References

External links

[http://www.foodnetwork.ca/ontv/shows/Restaurant-Makeover/episode.html?titleid=86270&episodeid=86270 Episode list from Food Network Canada]
[http://www.hgtv.ca/ontv/episodearchive.aspx?titleid=86270 Episode list from HGTV]
{{IMDb title|0772140|Restaurant Makeover}}

Category:Food reality television series

Category:Food Network (Canadian TV channel) original programming

Category:HGTV (Canada) original programming

Category:2005 Canadian television series debuts

Category:2008 Canadian television series endings

Category:2000s Canadian reality television series

Category:Television series by Alliance Atlantis